Birth anniversary of Guru Ram Dass celebrated

Amritsar, Oct 9 (UNI) The birth anniversary of the fourth Sikh Guru, Ram Dass and founder of this holy city was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety here today.

A large number of devotees thronged the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine whose foundation stone was laid by a Muslim saint, Mian Mir during the period of Guru Ram Dass. The holy city which was first known as Chak Ramdasspur, gradually developed around the Golden Temple and got its name from the 'sarovar', pool of nectar or 'amrit'.

The Guru invited people of different trades to settle in the city and gradually it became a major trading and business centre of Punjab.

Devotees took a dip in the 'sarovar' and also partook 'langar' at the Guru Ram Dass commnity kitchen of the shrine. They also listened to gurbani-kirtan at the Harmandir Sahib, the sanctum sanctorum.

'Langars' were also organised at different places and at other shrines in the city. The Golden Temple was brightly illuminated at night.

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