Saffron to basanti: Nishan Sahib dons new colour

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 9

Complying with the orders of Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has initiated the process to restore the traditional ‘basanti’ colour of the ‘chola’ of Nishan Sahib in the gurdwaras.

In the first phase, the ‘kesri’ (saffron) cloth of all 13 Nishan Sahibs at the Golden Temple, including the 105-ft-high twin Nishan Sahibs — symbolising the concept of ‘Miri-Piri’ — in front of Akal Takht have been changed. At Shaheedan Sahib Gurdwara, too, five Nishan Sahibs now don the ‘basanti’ colour.

Golden Temple general manager Bhagwant Singh Dhangera said a panel comprising the representatives of Akal Takht and the SGPC had finalised the shade and the process to replace Nishan Sahib ‘chola’ had been started. “Today, the ‘chola’ of all Nishan Sahibs atop Akal Takht buildings, SGPC office and others in the Golden Temple complex, and Gurdwara Shaheedan Sahib were replaced,” he said. A circular, dated July 26, 2024, was issued by the Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC to its ‘parcharaks’ (preachers) and ‘dhadis’ (ballad singers) to spread information to all gurdwaras to maintain ‘rehat maryada’ with regard to the ‘chola’ colour. All gurdwaras in various states, including neighbouring Haryana, Himachal and Chandigarh, will follow suit.

Akal Takht had received complaints by Sikh organisations and individuals that in a majority of gurdwaras, Nishan Sahibs were covered with ‘kesri’ cloth, in violation of Sikh ‘maryada’. Following the objections, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh called a meeting with the five high priests on July 15, where a resolution was passed unanimously to restore the traditional colour code of Nishan Sahib as per ‘Panth Parvanit Sikh Rehat Maryada’ (code of conduct) in all the gurdwaras.

However, the Nihang sect has been maintaining a ‘surmai’ colour flag at their gurdwaras.

Chapter IV of the 1936 ‘rehat maryada’ states, “At a high-level site in every gurdwara should be installed the Nishan Sahib. The cloth of the flag should be of ‘basanti’ or ‘surmai’ (greyish blue) colour. On top of the flag post, there should either be a spearhead or a ‘khanda’.”

Found in many gurdwaras, the ‘kesri’ flag is believed to be introduced by Nirmalas, Udasis and Mahants between 1715 and 1920.

Gurdwara symbol

Nishan Sahib is a flag bearing the symbol of ‘khanda’ at its centre, made of cotton or silk, and has a tassel at the end. Having a ‘basanti’ or ‘surmai’ background, it is hoisted on a long pole, covered with the same colour ‘chola’, outside gurdwara complexes.