Sikh devotees bereft of glimpse of sacred urn

Our Correspondent

Raikot, January 3

Sikh devotees of the region are disappointed over the decision of the Union Government of denying visa to Rai Azizullah, who holds the possession of ‘Ganga Sagar’, a sacred urn that was once presented by Guru Gobind Singh to former Nawab of Raikot Rai Kallah about three centuries ago. The devotees are disheartened because they will not be able to have a glimpse of the sacred urn that was earlier brought to Punjab in December 2004.

A former member of the Pakistan National Assembly Rai Azizullah was invited by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to display the urn during the Shaheedi Jor Mela that commenced at Gurdwara Tahliana here today.

Devotees led by SGPC member Ranjit Singh Talwandi regretted the decision as the organisers of the mela had already announced that the sacred urn would be displayed at a prominent place in the gurdwara.

Rai Azizullah, who talked to a section of media over the phone, said he was also disappointed over the denial of visa for a noble cause. “But it will be my privilege to bring the ‘Ganga Sagar’ to Punjab whenever allowed by the government,” Azizullah said.

Referring to observations made by him during his earlier visits, Azizullah said citizens of both the countries wanted peace and desired that governments of both nations should also understand the common feelings of people.

He appreciated that the residents of Raikot had exhibited great respect to the sacred urn when it was brought to Punjab in December 2004.

Rai Faqirullah Khan, Azizullah’s father had taken the Ganga Sagar to Pakistan at the time of partition. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru of Sikhs, had gifted the sacred urn to Rai Kallah, forefather of Rai Azizullah, in 1705. It is a miraculous vessel having pores. The pores allow sand to pass through but liquid is retained in the urn.