- Friday, September 13, 2024
The visit at Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib in the eastern Indian state of Bihar came weeks ahead of the general elections in the Punjab state.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday (13) visited Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib in Patna, capital of the eastern state of Bihar.
Modi reached the Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib, one of the five Sikh takhts or spiritual centres, wearing a Sikh turban, and bowed his head in Darbar Sahib (central religious place) and also served ‘langar’ (community meal in Sikh tradition) to devotees at the Gurdwara.
“Prayed at Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib this morning. Felt truly blessed to experience divinity, serenity and rich history of this sacred place. This Gurudwara has a close link with Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Our Government had the honour of marking his 350th Parkash Utsav in a grand manner. May the teachings of the Sikh Gurus continue to inspire and guide us all,” he wrote in a post on X immediately after the visit.
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“Sikhism is rooted in the principles of equality, justice and compassion. Central to Sikhism is seva. This morning in Patna, I also had the honour of taking part in seva as well. It was a very humbling and special experience,” Modi added.
Modi’s visit to the Sikh shrine came just weeks ahead of the national elections in the northern state of Punjab, dominated by the Sikhs.
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Former federal minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is seeking re-election from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency on the ticket of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, was also present during the latter’s visit to the religious place. Bihar is also witnessing polling and Patna Sahib will also go to polls on June 1.
“It’s a historic day and a matter of pride for us … .Modi Ji is the first Prime Minister who visited Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib,” Prasad told reporters after the PM’s visit.
“Modi Ji cooked food at the Gurdwara, baked rotis and served the community kitchen (langar) to people with his own hands,” Prasad said.
The construction of Takhat Sri Patna Sahib, also known as Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji, Patna Sahib, was commissioned by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 18th century to mark the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru who was born in Patna, in 1666.
He also spent his early years here before moving to Anandpur Sahib.
(With PTI inputs)
