Batala decked up for 'Babe Da Vyah'

BATALA: This historical town is all decked up to receive a marriage procession, which marks the celebration of faith. Thousands of devotees would celebrate the 524th marriage anniversary of the founder of Sikh religion, Guru Nanak, who married Bibi Sulakhni, the daughter of a local revenue official Mook Chand Khatri, here, in Batala, on Sunday.
On Friday, a large number of devotees left for Sultanpur Lodhi town, located about 85km away from where the marriage procession of the guru had originated five decades ago.Joining the faithful, who have arrived from across the world, these devotees were scheduled to arrive in Batala on Saturday night, in the form of a marriage procession, carrying a palanquin of Guru Granth Sahib, with ‘sehras’ (veil tied on a bridegroom’s face before the marriage ceremony) tied all around it.
After halting briefly at Gurdwara Achal Sahib, a night before Gurpurab, the palanquin is taken to Gurdwara Dera Sahib, where the marriage was solemnized. Kulwant Singh, manager of Gurdwara Kandh Sahib said, “The marriage procession stayed where Gurdwara Kandh Sahib is now located in the vicinity of Dera Sahib. On Sunday, the procession would start from Dera Sahib and pass through Kandh Sahib and Gurdwara Satkartaria Sahib, before passing through Batala town. It would then culminate at Gurdwara Dera Sahib.’’
A massive cleanliness drive launched since Friday has left the route of the procession, sparkling and decorated tastefully with lights and flowers for Gurpurab, popularly known as ‘Babe Da Vyah’ (marriage of the guru). Nearly 101 Akand path of Guru Granth Sahib, which started on Friday, all across the town would be culminating with bhog ceremony on Sunday.
SSP Batala GurKirpal Singh said, over 1000 police personnel from Majitha, Gurdaspur, Batala, Tarn Taran and Pathankot have been deployed on duty to facilitate the celebrations on Sunday. Medical arrangements have also been put in place to assist the devotees taking part in the procession.