Substandard rumala offerings at Golden Temple a cause for concern

GS Paul

Amritsar, July 7

Despite being pointed out by Akal Takht, there has been no let-up in “substandard rumalas” being offered at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has declared to rope in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to devise a method to curb this practice.

The Jathedar said reports surfaced that low-quality, dirty and stinky “rumalas” were being sold in the open market and the devotees, out of ignorance, purchased and offered those at the Golden Temple “as it is”.

Will intervene: Jathedar

Taking into account the faith of devotees, we do not discourage them from offering ‘rumalas’, but it has to be streamlined. The SGPC will intervene to sort it out. —Giani Raghbir Singh, Akal Takht Jathedar

According to Akal Takht’s findings, only 5 per cent “rumalas” offered at the shrine were in order, whereas the remaining were either of inferior quality, dirty or wrapped up in old and stinky packaging.

“Taking into account the faith of devotees, we do not discourage them from offering ‘rumalas’, but it has to be streamlined. The SGPC will intervene to sort it out,” said the Jathedar. One school of thought was that the SGPC could take the responsibility by setting up a dedicated counter at the Golden Temple entrance plaza offering quality “rumalas”.

SGPC former chief secretary Dr Roop Singh recalled that at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, South Hall, London, the management has maintained that the visitors should not buy “rumalas” from outside.

“The SGPC can replicate this practice. To maintain transparency, the record of the money received could be maintained and the collected amount could be utilised for the purpose of gurdwara, health, education or any other social cause expense,” he said.

A random round of the markets surrounding the Golden Temple Saragarhi Parking, Mai Sewa Bazaar and the shops just a few steps away from the Golden Temple, revealed that “rumalas” were hanging in the open. Ironically, a vendor sells them in a makeshift arrangement just on the pedestrian path leading to the shrine.

As per the practice, “rumalas” are decorative covers that are meant to cover Guru Granth Sahib “saroop” or spread over the opened volume of holy scripture during the recitation of Gurbani.

The Jathedar said a complete set of “rumalas” with “palkan”, devoid of any religious symbol or Guru’s picture, has to be made up of high quality clothing, neatly embroidered and must have specific dimensions.

Normally, the “rumalas” offered are kept aside after touching them with the holy scripture as a gesture of acceptance.

Kiranjot Kaur, member, SGPC, and granddaughter of Master Tara Singh, said there was a need to create awareness among the devotees.

“The devotees, especially non-Sikhs from outside the state, are being fleeced by ‘rumala’ sellers, who give them an impression that their trip will be successful only after offering these at the Golden Temple, which is a myth. The devotees have to be educated that it is not compulsory to offer ‘rumala’. Out of ignorance, the devotees become their targets,” she said.

Kiranjot said the process of “agan bhet” (confined to flames) of extra rumalas should be made public so that a message should go among the devotees that they could instead donate their “bheta” (donation) for other services.