Patna: The historic 359th Prakashotsav of Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj is set to be celebrated at Patna Sahib with grandeur, as preparations reach their final stages. The festival, marking the birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru, will include a 48-hour uninterrupted reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, processions, and communal langars attended by devotees from across India and abroad.
For the first time, counting machines will be installed at Takht Sri Harmandir Gurudwara to accurately track the number of visitors. Additionally, the Bihar government has arranged 15 free buses to ferry devotees between Patna Sahib and Rajgir’s Shital Kund, operating from December 23-28. These buses will also allow devotees to visit other major religious and tourist sites along the route.
Bihar Tourism Minister Arun Shankar Prasad said that the festival is expected to attract a large number of Sikh devotees. Comprehensive arrangements have been made for accommodation, sanitation, lighting, drinking water, medical facilities, and security. Police personnel will be deployed in large numbers to ensure a smooth and safe celebration.
“The state government has taken all measures to ensure that visiting devotees do not face any inconvenience during the festival,” Prasad added. Preparations are now in their final stage, and devotees have already started arriving at Patna Sahib to participate in the festivities.
