Extra layer of mats, carpets at Golden Temple this winter

GS Paul

Amritsar, January 11

With the holy city recording a maximum of 10°C and a minimum 6°C today, the footfall at the Golden Temple saw a slight dip, but this was no deterrent in the devotees’ devotion. Despite chilly weather conditions, many did not refrain from taking a holy dip in the sarovar. Similarly, the ‘sewa’ of cleaning up of the ‘parikrama’ continued uninterrupted.

Golden Temple manager Bhagwant Singh Dhangera said that cold and foggy conditions coupled with disruption of air and train traffic could be the reason for low turnout of outstation devotees. “However, the rush now is mainly of devotees belonging to Amritsar and nearby areas,” he said.

To substantiate his point, he said, “Earlier, around 8.5 quintals of flour was consumed daily in the community kitchen for preparing of langar, while for the past few days, only 5 quinta

ls was being consumed.”

Extra mats and warm carpets have been rolled out on the stairs and floors. These carpets not only cover the ‘parikrama’ area, but have also been rolled out in the inner corridors and open area outside Akal Takht.

Similarly, special carpets were placed recently on the causeway that leads to the sanctum sanctorum from the ‘Darshani Deori’. Inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple, the four doors — usually kept open as per tradition — have been covered with thick curtains to prevent the flow of cold air. The windows on the first floor of the shrine have also been closed due to the weather.