Devotees throng Golden Temple to celebrate holy book's installation

Devotees thronged the Golden Temple here yesterday to be a part of the grand celebrations for the installation of holy book Guru Granth Sahib.

The devotees also took dip in the holy water of the pond surrounding the Golden Temple on the occasion of 411th installation anniversary of the holy book.

On the occasion, Sikh devotees also carry their holy book in a palanquin during a religious procession inside the premises of the Golden Temple.

The whole complex was decorated and lit up to celebrate the occasion. Devotees were also seen lighting candles and earthen lamps.

Devotees came from across India and enjoyed being part of the celebrations.

"The installation anniversary of Guru Granth Sahib is being celebrated with lots of enthusiasm. People from India and across the world are coming here to offer prayers and are enjoying it here," said a devotee, Sukhwinder Singh Sidhu.

Every year the Sikhs celebrate the anniversary with great fanfare and fervour with the best part being the fireworks.

"Today we saw the fireworks and enjoyed it a lot. Such a view cannot be seen anywhere in the world," said another devotee, Navneet Kaur.

The text is regarded by the Sikhs as living embodiment of their 10 leaders and the text is pivotal in worship in Sikhism.

The massive project to compile Guru Granth Sahib, which has hymns from some of the 10 Sikh gurus, was undertaken by fifth guru of the Sikhs, Guru Arjan Dev.

The voluminous book was finally completed in1604 and was installed at the Golden Temple.