BH-NITISH PRAKASH PARV

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar

Sunday visited Takht Sri Harmandir Patna Sahib and offered

prayers on the occasion of 352nd Prakash Parv, the birth

anniversary of 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Govind Singh.

Addressing the people who gathered in large numbers on

the auspicious occasion at a specially built 'Diwan Hall'

here, Kumar said "We had organized 350th Prakash Parv of

10th Sikh Guru on a grand scale two years ago. People of Bihar

had welcomed the devotees from across the world".

"This (Patna) is the birth place of 10th Sikh Guru

Guru Gobind Singh. It's a matter of pride for the people of

Bihar. This is the same ancient Patliputra from where the

entire country was ruled once. Patna Sahib site was the actual

Patliputra. This is a historic place. Bihar is the place of

knowledge, salvation and Nirvana," he said.

Patna Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, is

considered one of the holiest places by Sikhs around the

world, besides being a major tourist attraction for people

from all communities.

The state government had organised inaugural programme

of the Prakash Parv on a grand scale in January 2017 to mark

the 350th birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh guru, followed by

"Shukrana Samaroh" (thanksgiving or closing ceremony) of the

anniversary function.

Kumar said that a gurudwara is being built near

Shitalkund at Rajgir where Guru Nanak Dev, Sikhs' first Guru,

had also visited in his lifetime.

Construction of the gurudwara will be completed before

the 550th 'Prakash Parv'. Sikh devotees from across the world

will come here to offer their prayers to Guru Nanak Dev, he

said.

Kumar said that preparations such as erecting tent

city have been made at Baal Lila and Kanganghat of Patna

Sahib.

In view of Sikh devotees visiting Bihar every year in

huge numbers, the state government has to erect tent city, he

said. The government has decided to construct a permanent

community centre which will be used for special occasions and

it will be handed over to the Gurudwara for 25-30 days during

'Prakash Parv' celebrations.

Kumar also visited Baal Lila Gurudwara and offered his

prayers where he was welcomed with a 'Saropa and sword'.