Sikhs mark 415th birth anniversary of Guru Hargobind Sahib at Golden Temple

Amritsar, July 5 (ANI): A large number of Sikh devotees visited the Harmandir Sahib here on Monday to mark 415th birth anniversary of their sixth Guru, Hargobind Sahib.

The devotees also took a holy dip in the revered lake of the temple.

Harmandir Sahib is popularly known as the Golden Temple.

"The Gurupurab (birth anniversary) is being celebrated with lot of devotion. I have come here along with my family to offer prayers, to visit the holy place. This is a very auspicious moment. People have come here to offer prayers, celebrate and to take blessings of the guru," said Deepak Mehra, one of the devotees.

Guru Hargobind Sahib gave the concept of 'Meeri-Peeri' to the Sikhs, which means a saint-solider bestowing upon the individual the power of killing an enemy and also protecting the innocent.

"Taking the concept (Meeri-Peeri) in mind, devotees are distributing offerings, praying and thanking God for granting them a fruitful life. The devotees are celebrating the occasion in this manner. Devotees are coming here from far-off places, even from other countries as well, and also from other cities," said Ranjit Singh, another devotee on Monday morning.

Born on June 19, 1595, at Guru Ki Wadali near Amritsar, Guru Hargobind Sahib was the only son of the fifth Guru Arjan Dev, who was martyred by Mughal emperor Jehangir.

He transformed the Sikh fraternity by introducing martial arts and weaponry for the defence of the masses, as well as values upheld by the gurus of the past.

Guru Hargobind was the first Sikh Guru to engage in war and fought against the tyranny of the Mughal Empire. He also created the Akal Takhat, or, seat of power, near the Golden Temple. He died on March 3, 1644. By Sawinder Singh (ANI)