Coronation of three Granthis performed at Golden Temple

Amritsar, March 1: Three Granthis or, the Sikh high priests were coronated at a colourful religious ceremony on Sunday at the Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs.

Organised by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), all the Sikh bodies and organization were invited for this special occasion.

Prominent heads of the Sikh bodies were present during the ceremony including SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar Sant Samaj, Damdami Taksal's all factions, Akhand Kirtani Jatha and nihang organizations.

Akal Takht Jathedar Gyani Gurbachan Singh informed that on the recommendation of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, the responsibilities of the high priests of the Golden Temple have been given to Bhai Mann Singh, Bhai Rawel Singh and Bhai Sukhjinder Singh.

Makkar, while talking to media on this occasion, reiterated SGPC's stand on the demand of the separate Sikh body in Haryana. He said SGPC would not tolerate the intervention of the anybody on the affairs of Sikhs.

The Golden Temple is regarded as the holiest shrine in Sikhism. It is because of the presence of Shri Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book described to be the 11th and last Guru in Sikhism.

The revered book was declared the 11th Guru by Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Guru of Sikhs, on October 7, 1708.

The Harminder Sahib or Golden Temple, as it is popularly known today, was constructed in 1604. Guru Arjan Dev installed the Guru Granth Sahib in it and appointed Baba Buddha Ji as the first Granthi of it on August 1604 AD. (ANI)