Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged members of the Indian diaspora and Sikh devotees worldwide to visit Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib in Bihar during their travels to India, highlighting the spiritual significance of the sacred Joda Sahib associated with Guru Gobind Singh.
Addressing the Indian community in Auckland, New Zealand, the Prime Minister said pilgrims should make it a point to pay their respects at Patna Sahib, the birthplace of the tenth Sikh Guru.
PM Recalls Journey Of The Sacred Joda Sahib
During his address, PM Modi spoke about Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s family, saying their ancestors had served as sevadars of Guru Gobind Singh and had safeguarded the sacred Joda Sahib of Guru Gobind Singh and Mata Sahib Kaur for nearly 300 years.
He said that during the Partition of India, Hardeep Singh Puri’s ancestors brought the sacred relic to Delhi. Later, they expressed the wish to hand it over to the Sikh Sangat so that more devotees could have an opportunity to pay their respects.
Committee Chose Patna Sahib
According to the Prime Minister, a committee of scholars and individuals well-versed in Sikh history and traditions was formed to decide where the sacred Joda Sahib should be preserved.
The committee concluded that the relic should be enshrined at Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh and the place where he first set foot.
PM Modi said he was pleased that devotees are now able to offer prayers before the sacred relic at Patna Sahib.
‘One Of The Significant Experiences Of My Life’
The Prime Minister described witnessing the installation of the Joda Sahib at Patna Sahib as one of the significant experiences of his life.
He appealed to the Indian diaspora and Sikh devotees across the world to visit the shrine and seek the blessings of Guru Gobind Singh during their visits to India.
Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Committee Welcomes PM’s Remarks
The management committee of Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib welcomed the Prime Minister’s reference to the shrine during his address in New Zealand.
Committee President Jagjot Singh Sohi and Vice-President Gurvinder Singh thanked PM Modi for highlighting the significance of Patna Sahib and the sacred Joda Sahib on an international platform.
The committee said the Prime Minister’s remarks would encourage more devotees from around the world to visit the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh and strengthen their connection with one of Sikhism’s holiest sites.
