Fervour, chabeels, streamers mark tercentenary festivities

Various gurdwaras in the city are observing the akhand path, which would culminate tomorrow. Various gurdwara committees have also organised competitions for children to mark the Tercentenary celebrations.

8220;The main motive behind such activities for the children is to make them aware of the morals of Sikhism and its teachings in the form of gurbani.8221; said Daljit Singh, vice-president of the Gurdwara Sahib Paatshahi dasween, Sector 8.

There has been a considerable increase in the number of devotees visiting the gurdwaras these days. The tradition of partaking amrit, started by the tenth guru is relived on every basaikhi by the devotees who pledge to become singhs at this occasion. According to the heads of the various gurdwaras, the number of city devotees partaking the holy water, amrit has also registered an increase.

8220;We do have people who partake the amrit every year at the occasion, but people want the holy ceremony to coincide with the historic event,8221; said Satpal Singh Bhatia, the general secretary of the Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, Sector 19.

SAS NAGAR: Various functions were organised in different parts of the township to celebrate the tercentenary of the Khalsa.

The camp being organised by Mohali Industries Association since April 9 near the milk plant continues to be the focus of attention as it lies on the route to Anandpur Sahib. The star attraction is an 11-foot statue of Nihang Singh erected at the roadside. It weighs 150 kgs and has been made by Rana Art Temple for the tercentenary celebrations. The blue-coloured statue shows the Nihang in his traditional garb.

According to R. S. Sachdeva, the president of the association, transitory accommodation is being provided to about 2,000 persons at homes, bhawans, schools, community centres and the camp itself. Facilities like free langar, packed snacks for the journey, fruit juice tetra-packs, first-aid, medical assistance, ambulance services, information and guidance centres and vehicle recovery service are also being provided.

Chabeels were put at various places in the township today. Organised by various societies on the eve of Baisakhi, most of them are run with the help of voluntary contributions.

Apart from the chabeels, welcome gates have been erected at most roundabouts.

Flower decorations and streamers are seen atop electricity poles and public buildings. Local gurdwaras witnessed unprecedented rush as they had organised special kirtan darbars on the occasion, by famous Ragis. Gurdwaras and houses in the township were well illuminated as part of the tercentenary celebrations.