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Nanded readies to welcome 2.5 million Sikhs

Tercentenary celebrations of Guru-ta-Gaddi will host the largest spiritual gathering of Sikhs in independent India

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Tercentenary celebrations of Guru-ta-Gaddi will host the largest spiritual gathering of Sikhs in independent India

NANDED: In two weeks from now, over 2.5 million devout Sikhs will make their way to Nanded in the south-east corner of Maharashtra, 484 km from Pune, in time for a momentous occasion. Three hundred years ago, in October 1708, the tenth and last guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh (December 22, 1666 — October 7, 1708), declared the holy Guru Granth Sahib as his successor just before his death in Nanded.

The tercentenary anniversary of that historic occasion will now be celebrated in Nanded, centring around the Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib, one of the four high seats of Sikh authority, where Guru Gobind Singh held his court and congregation. Designated as the Guru-ta-Gaddi celebrations, the eight-day event will begin on October 27.

The celebrations will mark the remembrance of the 300th year of the consecration of Guru Granth Sahib as the last guru of the Sikhs. It will also commemorate the 300th death anniversary (parlok gaman) of Guru Gobind Singh.

Sachkhand Gurudwara superintendent DP Singh told DNA that the event would witness one of the biggest spiritual gatherings of Sikhs in independent India. The first centenary was observed when the Mughal empire was in reign and the last such gathering was held under the British, a 100 years ago. Sikhs from as far as USA, Canada, Malaysia and UK have arrived for the event, besides scores of jatthas from different parts of the country, Singh added.

Considering that Nanded is a small town with a population of barely 5 lakh, nearly Rs1,000 crore has been pumped into infrastructure development — including a modern airport, upgraded at a cost of Rs50 crore — to manage the huge congregation of Sikhs from all over the world that is expected here.

Speaking to DNA, Nanded district collector Radheshyam Mopalwar said all necessary infrastructure pertaining to roads and other amenities like accommodation, drinking water and electricity, have been take care of to handle the million-plus devotees that are expected for the celebrations.

The administration has erected an entire tent city spread over 1,520 acres as accommodation for pilgrims. Three types of tents will be provided at localities such as Vishnupuri, Matasahil and Babapur, to accommodate over 5,00,000 pilgrims. Facilities at these camps will include toilets and bathing blocks, information kiosks, parking facilities, registration counters, and primary and secondary healthcare centres (including mobile dispensaries).

“No stone has been left unturned to ensure that the best civic amenities are provided to pilgrims visiting Nanded. We have taken unprecedented steps to firm up Nanded’s infrastructure, in keeping with the historic importance of this town,” said Nanded Waghla municipal commissioner, Dr Deepak Mhaiskar.

Police have made special arrangements to prevent stampedes and provide high security against terror threats. “At least 9,000 police personnel will be deployed during the event as part of security arrangements. Taking into account the city’s history and the recent terror attacks in other cities, special crackdown squads have been put in place to prevent any eventuality,” said superintendent of police Ravindra Singhal, adding that the city and main celebration area would be made vehicle-free during the gathering.

To help them cope with high stress and long duty hours, nearly 6,000 kits containing water bottles, blankets, shaving kits and batteries will be distributed to police personnel deployed at the event.
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