Anandpur Sahib comes alive to Khalsa bash

The main ceremony was performed by the Panj Piaras (five beloved) from the Takht Keshgarh Sahib in presence of senior Akali leaders. The Panj Piaras were brought to the complex site in a two km-long procession, which started from the Takht Keshgarh Sahib. A sea of humanity welcomed the Panj Piaras, who headed the procession, followed by the jathedars or their representatives of the other four Takhts.

Governor BKN Chhibber, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Finance Minister Captain Kanwaljit Singh and other Akali leaders were inthe third row.

Later, they boarded jeeps. Captain Singh had been entrusted with the responsibility of organising the event. Nihang horse riders in their colourful costumes formed the vanguard of the procession. Yodha and Anmol, the descendants of Dilbagh, Guru Gobind Singh’s horse, had been specially brought from Nanded for the procession. Weapons belonging to Guru Gobind Singh and some relics formed part of the procession. Two Pushpak planes showered flower petals.

Bands from the Sikh regiment and the Punjab Armed Police had been requisitioned for the occasion. Members of the Namdhari sect attended in large numbers.

The sleepy township wore a festive look, as five gates erected specially, were named after the Panj Piaras, the first five Sikhs to be baptised by the 10th Guru on the Baisakhi of 1669 here, which marked the birth of the Khalsa. The Guru was later baptised by these Panj Piaras.