Lifts at Golden Temple entrance

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 26

After beautifying its surroundings with a multi-crore heritage street and entrance plaza, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has decided to revamp the main entrance to the Golden Temple.

Sparing a thought for physically-challenged devotees, the SGPC plans to instal special lifts to allow easier access to the shrine’s “parkarma” (circumambulation). Escalators will also be installed from the way leading to the shrine complex through the Akal Takht side.

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SGPC chief secretary Dr Roop Singh says the SGPC executive has allotted the “kar sewa” (volunteer service) to Baba Kashmir Singh Bhurewale and the work will formally commence on November 28.

There are five “deoris” (gateways) — Ghanta Ghar Deori, Langar Deori, Manji Sahib Deori, Atta Mandi Deori and Khazana Deori — around the complex allowing access to the “parkarma”.

The main gateway, Ghanta Ghar Deori, is the most popular entry point among devotees. However, a flight of steps in the interior facade of the “deori” causes inconvenience to those with movement disability or those in the wheel chair.

Under the plan, two lifts will be installed on either side for easy access. “This will allow a disabled person to access the parkarma while remaining seated in the wheelchair. It will also be a boon for those who have difficulty stepping down or going up the stairs while leaving.

“The lifts will open on both sides and also connect the Central Sikh Museum on the upper floor. The present stairs leading to the museum will be closed and the new staircase will be constructed from the parkarma side,” says Dr Roop Singh. A new ceiling with intricate enamelled work has also been planned. The pillars will be given new uniform shape and the floor will be redesigned, in harmony with the shrine’s ambience.

Of the five fluted domes on its roof shaped like an inverted lotus, the main one will be covered with gold plating.