PM visits Golden Temple, prays for prosperity

Amritsar, Dec 20: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today visitedGolden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine, amid tight security and prayedfor peace and prosperity of the nation.

The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to Punjab during which hewould launch some major development projects in his home state which isdue to go to polls early next year.

Mr Singh arrived at the shrine at 0715 hrs and stayed for half an hour.

After bowing his head in front of the holy Guru Granth Sahib inthe Harmandir Sahib, the sanctum sanctorum, the Prime Minister listenedto kirtan. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President AvtarSingh Makkar sat alongside him.

Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, some of his cabinetcolleagues and his wife Parneet Kaur (MP) also paid obeisance alongwith Mr Singh.

After the sanctum sanctorum, the Prime Minister was honoured withthe 'Siropa' by Giani Gurbachan Singh, Head Granthi of the GoldenTemple.

Later, Mr Singh was presented with Sirupa and a replica of theGolden Temple by the SGPC chief outside the Golden Temple Informationoffice.

UNI