Call it violation of rehat maryada, seek Jathedar’s intervention

The discontinuation of the age-old tradition of offering ‘patasha parsad’ and ‘siropa’ in the Golden Temple by the SGPC has irked Sikh activists who sought intervention of Akal Takht.

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 30

The discontinuation of the age-old tradition of offering ‘patasha parsad’ and ‘siropa’ in the Golden Temple by the SGPC has irked Sikh activists who sought intervention of Akal Takht.

Like ‘karah parsad’, the ‘patasha parsad’ holds significance in Sikh religion. It is believed at the time of initiation of Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh, the Panj Pyare stood before the Guru for amrit sanchar ceremony. It was then that the Guru’s wife brought ‘patashas’, which were put in an iron bowl and stirred with a two-edged sword by the Guru to make amrit, the nectar of immortality.

As the tradition goes, in order to honour someone, the ‘patasha parsad’ along with ‘siropa’ and ‘sehra’ (garland) is presented after they pay obeisance in the sanctum sanctorum. Generally, when the devotees offer ‘rumala’, the priest offers ‘patasha parsad’ as a special gesture.

The ‘parsad’ is distributed to other gurdwaras too. Unlike the ‘karah parsad’, it is a non-perishable item that can last long and beneficial for devotees who come from far-off places and take it back home for family members. But, for the past few years, the SGPC had started offering ‘pinni parsad’ at the temple for its long shelf life.

Yet, the withdrawal of ‘patasha parsad’ and ‘siropa’ custom has not gone down well with the Damdami Taksal supporters. Spokesperson Prof Sarchand Singh has submitted a letter to Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, urging him to make SGPC restore the practice. “What was the logic behind stopping the Sikh tradition that was prevalent during Guru’s period? The Golden Temple is the supreme religious destination for Sikhs from all over the globe. It was a violation of Sikh rehat maryada and we urge Jathedar to intervene,” he said.