Guru Granth Sahib ‘Parkash Purb’ celebrated with fervour in Amritsar

Devotees in large numbers today took part in the grand nagar kirtan held from Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib to the Golden Temple to celebrate the ‘first Parkash Purb’, the first installation of Guru Granth Sahib.

Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib, 2 km away from the Golden Temple, holds significance as it was the place where the fifth Sikh Master, Guru Arjan Dev, had compiled his own hymns, the original version of the chants of other Gurus and a selection of devotional songs of both Hindu and Islamic saints in Gurmukhi in 1604.

After the scripture was compiled, Baba Buddha, first head granthi of Harmandir Sahib, had carried it on his head in a procession from Ramsar Sahib to Harmandir Sahib. The installation of the scripture at the sanctum sanctorum is celebrated as Parkash Utsav.

To mark the occasion, the Golden Temple’s head granthi and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and general secretary Rajinder Singh Mehta offered siropa, nishanchi (flag bearers and nagarchi (drum beaters) to the Panj Pyaras, who led the procession. In the evening, the entire Golden Temple complex was illuminated with lights. Fireworks display added to the attraction.