Dharmik Yatra: Relics of Sikh gurus reach Bathinda

Tribune News Service

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Bathinda, May 8

Amidst chaos, traffic-jam and keeping the entire district administration and the police on edge the pious yatra showcasing the Sikh guru relics reached Bathinda.

The government offices, police stations wore deserted looks and there was hardly any policeman manning the traffic in city as the entire machinery was deployed for the smooth passage of the yatra.

Attracting hundreds of devotees, the yatra reached Bathinda from Mansa much after the scheduled time due to the unprecedented response from the devotees who reached to have a glimpse of the bus carrying the relics.

Jointly taken out by the Punjab government and the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee—the yatra today passed from the areas of district Mansa and entered into Bathinda district from Bhai Desa village of Maur Mandi tehsil.

Despite scorching heat, devotees welcomed the procession with the PWD Minister, Janmeja Singh Sekhon. Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, Dr Basant Garg, and SSP, Kuldeep Singh Chahal, were among the others who accompanied the minister.

The devotees welcomed the bus carrying Guru Sahibans’ relics with devotion. Entire village was dipped in the colours of Khalsa, while devotees basked in the glory of Gurus’ blessing. Having started from Mansa earlier in the morning, the yatra reached village Bhai Desa at 1 pm.

DC, Mansa, Bhupinder Singh Rai, and the SSP, Mansa Bhupinder Singh Khattra, had brought yatra to the last village at Mansa before it entered Bathinda district.

Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon welcomed Panj Piaras with siropas. He said the Dharmik Darshan Yatra was an initiative of the Punjab government and the SGPC propagating the Sikhism.

He added that the relics of Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib, Sri Guru Teg Bahadar Sahib and Sri Guru Gobind Singh are being carried in specially crafted 33-Foot long bus.

The relics include 46 inch-long sword, 22 inch-long whip, Siri Sahib, one sword, Chola Sahib, manuscript, hair, comb and turban, 20 inch-long iron arrow, three-and-a-half inch long Siri Sahib, 30-inch long wooden spear and five arrows.

Keeping in view the dedication and huge turnout of the devotees, the Punjab government has decided that yatra would halt at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib on May 9 and May 10 so that devotees can easily have darshan.

Sekhon said on May 11, the yatra will traverse areas of Bhagi Vander, Jeevan Singh Wala, Bathinda city, Balluana, Karamgarh Sattran and head towards Sri Muktsar Sahib.

Meanwhile, at Maur Kenchiyan, village Sandoha and Talwandi Sabo route langars of fruits, laddoos, jalebis, pakoras anc chhabeels welcomed the devotees. ADC (General) Sumeet Jarangal, ADC (D) Varinder Kumar Sharma, SDM, Bathinda, Damanjit Singh Maan, SGPC member Gurpreet Singh Jhabbar and others were present.

Earlier in the morning, the yatra entered into Mansa district at 3 am amidst resonating war cries of Sikhs. Yatra entered Mansa district from village Aklia. On its arrival the district administration, political parties and other dignitaries of the district welcomed it. The devotees, waiting for the Guru Sahibans’ relics, were overjoyed to have darshan. Thereafter, the yatra passed through areas of Joga, Ralla and Tamkot and halted for two-hours at Renaissance Public School on the Mansa-Barnala Road.

After halt at a local school, at 10 am, Singh Sahiban Giani Mal Singh from Sri Kesgarh Sahib and Giani Jagtar Singh head granthi Sri Darbar Sahib performed ardas. Thereafter, from the Renaissance School the yatra moved towards Mansa kenchiyan, village Thuthiyan Wali, Bhaini Bagha and Bhai Desa entering into Bathinda district from the Maur Mandi area.

Prominent among others who welcomed the holy yatra included MLA Mansa Prem Mittal, MLA Budhlada Chatin Singh Samao, chairman of the district planning board, Mansa, Prem Arora, chairman, district planning board, Bathinda, Jagdeep Singh Nakkai, chairman, zila parishad, Sukhdev Singh Chainewala, chairman, Punseed Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh and others.