Green round

The Golden Temple in Amritsar has put up over a lakh potted plants along the parikrama

THE Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has set nearly one lakh potted plants on the building along the parikrama at the Golden Temple, so as to lend more greenery to Sikhism8217;s holiest shrine.

The parikrama is made of white marble and because Amritsar is a city where temperatures range from sub-zero in winter to 45 degrees plus in summer, taking the ritual walk around the shrine becomes difficult. Shrine administrators believe the greenery could make it soothing for pilgrims.

8220;Also there have been complaints that there8217;s too little greenery in the shrine,8221; said Jaswinder Singh Advocate, an SGPC member. 8220;Decorative plants and flowers have been placed so that, from the parikrama and while at the shrine the eye meets greenery everywhere.8221;

He said SGPC president Jathedar Avtar Singh Makkar was quick to take the initiative when the greening plans were discussed.

Said Darbar Sahib manager Bhai Roop Singh, 8220;There had been many suggestions from across the world to make the surroundings green.8221;

Environmentalists who appreciated the initiative helped choose the plants. 8220;We wanted the plants which could withstand the heat of the summer and extreme cold too, given that Amritsar temperatures,8221; said Roop Singh.

8220;The roofs and verandahs of the buildings around the parikrama have already been entirely covered and it is green now,8221; said Jaswinder Singh Jassi, an SGPC employee. He said Kar Sewa Wale babas helped in bringing plants from as far as Delhi, Kolkata and Sharanpur.

Story continues below this ad

8220;To maintain the plants is another big task, and we are seeking help from the Horticulture and Landscaping Department of Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, as well,8221; said Advocate. 8220;The extreme temperatures will hopefully be checked because of the greenery.8221;

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage INTACH state convenor Dr Sukhdev Singh said the Gurbani itself talks of the man8217;s communion with the nature and green cover was a must and in accordance with the teachings of the Gurus. 8220;To make Harmandar Sahib more natural and fresh, such acts are appreciated,8221; he said.