Amritsar and Golden Temple in Punjab are celebrating Diwali and Bandi Chor Day today (Friday). Firecrackers will not be burst at the temple during Diwali to mark the 40th anniversary of the Delhi riots. The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Samiti (SGPC) has taken this decision keeping in mind the sensitivity of this historic day following the order of Sri Akal Takht Sahib's Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh.
But, this time more than 1 lakh lamps will be lit in the evening. This lamp will be lit in the Golden Temple in memory of the innocent people who lost their lives in the 1984 riots. The purpose of this decision of SGPC is to express condolences to those who lost their lives during the riots and show solidarity with their families.
On this auspicious occasion of Diwali and Bandichor day, devotees have started arriving at the Golden Temple since morning. Devotees were seen taking a dip in the holy lake of the Golden Temple right from the morning palki sahib. Today the lighting is done inside the Golden Temple complex itself.
Granthi Saheban brings Sri Guru Granth Sahib to Palki Sahib.
Jathedar's order, do not light
In view of the 40th anniversary of the Delhi riots, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has ordered that devotees should light only ghee lamps in their homes and gurudwaras and refrain from electrical decorations. In view of which lighting has been done in the Golden Temple complex today. Apart from this, it is advised to avoid lighting anywhere outside houses and Gurdwaras.
Preparations for the reception of the devotees are complete
Preparations for the devotees coming from home and abroad had already started here since morning. Apart from daal and roti, langar will also serve kheer and jalebi. Apart from this, lamps will also be decorated inside the Golden Temple. This is the ancient historical heritage, which is decorated inside the Golden Temple only on certain days for the darshan of devotees.
Sri Akal Takht Sahib is decorated with beautiful lights.
See pictures of the Golden Temple…
Beautiful view of Palki Sahib on Friday morning.
Devotees queuing up for darshan at the Golden Temple.
Devotees came with faith to pray for his health.
Jalebi is also being served to the devotees in the langar hall.
A large number of devotees took the langar in the langar complex.
Devotees taking Prasad.
A beautiful view of the Golden Temple.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
