Punjab: 19th century power pole restored at Golden Temple

Standing as a silent witness to a turning point in Sikh history, one of the earliest electricity poles installed along the Golden Temple parikrama in 1897 has been reinstalled after repair work, reconnecting the sacred shrine with the era when tradition first met modern technology.Cracks that recently developed in the historic metal pole had prompted the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to remove it last month for devotees’ safety. After necessary repairs, the pole has now been reinstalled at the same spot near Braham Buta Akhara.Generator-based electricity arrangements at Golden Temple were originally introduced in 1897 with the support of Raja Bikram Singh of the Faridkot princely state, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of the holy complex. Even today, three such historic poles continue to exist along the parikrama, reminding visitors of a time when electric light first illuminated the shrine, blending faith, foresight and history.A total of eight such pillars were originally installed to supply electricity inside Golden Temple. In 1955, when the parikrama was widened, four of these pillars were removed. One pillar was destroyed during Operation Bluestar in 1984. The remaining three heritage pillars are still present in the parikrama in their original form.Manager Bhagwant Singh Dhangera said one of the heritage poles, located near Bunga Ramgarhia, had become dilapidated. As there was a risk of it collapsing anytime, the SGPC decided to remove it temporarily for repairs, keeping devotees’ safety in mind. After restoration, the pillar has now been reinstalled at the same location. He added that the Shiromani Committee was adopting a serious and sensitive approach towards the preservation of heritage assets.Electricity at Golden Temple was first arranged with the support of the Faridkot princely state in the late 19th century at an estimated cost of Rs 25,000. Prior to electrification, the shrine was illuminated round the clock with desi ghee lamps inside Golden Temple and wax candles in the sanctum and parikrama.

Punjab: 19th century power pole restored at Golden Temple

After repairs, the pole has now been reinstalled at the same spot near Braham Buta Akhara.

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Punjab: 19th century power pole restored at Golden Temple

After repairs, the pole has now been reinstalled at the same spot near Braham Buta Akhara.

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

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