Anandpur: The small religious town of Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, has been painted white on occasion of its 350th birthday. Punjab government has revealed plans of major celebrations from June 17 to 19. “Most government buildings and others have been painted in white. This is giving the town a unique and fresh look,” said a resident.
Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, has set up a high-level committee comprising the chief secretary and other officers to make arrangements for the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is invited to participate in the rejoicing, who has confirmed his visit on 19th June.
"Dignitaries and eminent religious personalities are being invited for the event. I have directed officers to ensure the commemoration of the 350th year of Sri Anandpur Sahib in a befitting manner. It will showcase the glorious legacy of Sikh Panth," Badal said. The State is making arrangements for the three day event, including the stay of hundreds of thousands.
Anandpur Sahib is home to the second most important Sikh shrine, Takht Keshgarh Sahib, after the 'Harmandar Sahib' in Amritsar. It attracts hundreds of devotees daily with the rush much bigger on weekends and days of religious importance.
The shrine and the town are famous as it was here in 1699 that the 10th guru, Guru Gobind Singh, baptized five men (Panj Piaras) and founded the Khalsa Panth, which is the modern day Sikh religion. The foundation of the town was laid by the ninth Sikh guru, Tegh Bahadur, on June 19, 1665.
