NewKerala.com

Key Points

The SGPC has set up a coordination centre in Birmingham to help Sikhs from foreign countries visit Takht Sahib. This facility addresses a long-standing request from the community abroad. The centre will streamline travel arrangements for pilgrims seeking darshan. This initiative reflects SGPC's role as the governing body for Sikh gurdwaras globally.

Key Points: SGPC Opens UK Centre for Sikh Pilgrimage to Takht Sahib

  • SGPC establishes UK help desk to assist Sikh pilgrims from abroad
  • Birmingham centre fulfills long-standing demand from Sikh community
  • Facility aims to streamline travel to Takht Sahib for darshan
  • SGPC serves as apex governing body for Sikh gurdwaras worldwide
2 min read

UK coordination centre for facilitating foreign Sikhs who want to come to Takht Sahib for darshan: SGPC VP

SGPC Vice President Rajinder Singh Mehta announces Birmingham coordination centre to facilitate foreign Sikh pilgrims visiting Takht Sahib for darshan

"The main purpose of the coordination centre is to facilitate our Sikh brothers and sisters living in foreign countries who want to come to Takht Sahib for darshan - Rajinder Singh Mehta"

Amritsar, October 5

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Vice President Rajinder Singh Mehta said that the main purpose of the help desk in the UK's Birmingham was to facilitate travel to Takht Sahib.

Mehta, while talking to ANI, said that the desk had been requested for a long time.

He said, "The main purpose of the coordination centre is to facilitate our Sikh brothers and sisters living in foreign countries who want to come to Takht Sahib for darshan. It was being requested for a very long time."

SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee), Sri Amritsar Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sri Amritsar abbreviated as SGPC and called as Parliament of Sikhs, is the Apex Governing Body of all the Sikh Gurdwaras in India and Abroad and works under the Directives of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is directly elected through election by the Sikh sangat i.e. Sikh male and female voters above 18 years of age who are registered as voters under the provisions of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925.

This Act was enacted by the British Punjab Government after the assent of the Punjab Governor-General on July 28, 1925, AD which was published the first time in the Punjab Gazette of August 07, 1925, AD, This Act came into force on November 1, 1925, A.D. following its official notification No 4288-S dated October 12, 1925, AD.

Following the demise of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in June 1839, A.D. The Sikh Empire started to decline and it finally lasted till March 1849, A.D. when the British government took over the charge in Punjab.

To take control of Sri Harmander Sahib, Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Amritsar, the British government first appointed a "Chief Administrator" (Sarabraah) through deputy commissioner (DC), Amritsar and the use of gurdwara management started to take place for establishing Christianity in Punjab.

Slowly, the devout Sikhs began to break away from the Guru Ghars (house). During British rule, the management of Gurdwaras came into the hands of Udasi mahants, and these managers played in the hands of the ruling power.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As someone whose family lives in the UK, I can say this was much needed. My elderly parents always wanted to visit Takht Sahib but found the travel planning overwhelming. This coordination centre will be a blessing for so many families. Great step forward!
D
David E
Interesting to see how religious institutions are adapting to global diaspora needs. The historical context in the article about British control of gurdwaras makes this modern initiative even more significant - it shows how far things have come.
A
Aman W
While this is a good initiative, I hope SGPC ensures transparency in how this centre operates. Sometimes these facilities become bureaucratic hurdles themselves. The focus should remain on genuine service to the sangat.
S
Shreya B
The historical background about British interference in gurdwara management is eye-opening. It's heartening to see Sikh institutions now independently serving the global community. This is true progress! ✨
M
Michael C
As someone who has visited Takht Sahib, I can appreciate how helpful this service will be. The spiritual significance of the place is profound, and anything that makes pilgrimage easier is commendable. Hope other religious communities take similar initiatives.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50