Nitish reviews preparations for birth anniversary celebrations

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday visited the Takht Harmandir Patna Sahib, a famous shrine built in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh, who was born here, and reviewed preparations for the 352nd 'Prakash Parv' (birth anniversary celebrations) of the tenth Sikh Guru.

Flanked by state Tourism Minister Pramod Kumar, city Mayor Sita Sahu, Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar and top officials, the chief minister inspected a tent city that has been erected near the gurudwara at the Kangan Ghat, officials said.

It can accommodate 5,000 pilgrims at a time, they said.

The chief minister issued instructions for ensuring proper catering, sanitation and healthcare facilities at the tent city since Sikh pilgrims from across the world are likely to converge here on the occasion of 'Prakash Parv' on January 13, an official said.

He also visited the gurudwara and paid his obeisance where the 'Prabandhak Committee' presented him with a 'saropa' (dress of honour).

"We draw satisfaction from having hosted, successfully, the 350th 'Prakash Parv', which naturally had attracted much larger crowds. We are committed to ensure that visitors have a good experience this time as well," the chief minister said while talking to reporters.

"This year marks the 550th 'Prakash Parv' of Guru Nanak as well and a gurudwara is being constructed at Rajgir where the first Sikh Guru had visited in his lifetime. Construction of the gurudwara will be beginning there on January 11," he said.