Amritsar, May 8 - After almost 54 years since the 1971 war between India and Pakistan, the lights of the campus at Sri Harmandir Sahib were switched off last night. Amid the tense atmosphere between India and Pakistan, a blackout exercise was conducted in the city last night and all the lights in the city were switched off during this. Under this, the lights were also switched off for some time in the Sri Harmandir Sahib campus.
A blackout exercise was conducted by keeping the lights off from around 10:30 pm to 11 pm. Under this, the lights in and around the Parikrama were also switched off in Sri Harmandir Sahib. Due to this, the entire area of ??the Guru Ghar was almost plunged into darkness.
Another view of Sri Harmandir Sahib during the blackout. -Photo: Sunil Kumar
Speaking in this regard, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Secretary Partap Singh said that as per the guidelines given by the government and administration, the lights were also switched off for a fixed period in the Sri Harmandir Sahib campus last night and a blackout exercise was participated in. He said that the lights were dimmed at Sachkhand where Guru Sahib is illuminated. While the lights were switched off in the Parikrama.
But the lights were not switched off at the places where the Akhand Path of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was being conducted. He said that the Sri Akhand Path was being conducted mostly in rooms built for this purpose at different places, the doors etc. of which were closed but the lights were kept on inside for the continuity of the Akhand Path.
This has probably happened in the Sri Harmandir Sahib campus after 54 years, when the lights of the campus itself have been switched off. Earlier, during the 1971 war, the lights were switched off in a similar manner and a blackout was carried out.
Former Secretary of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Kulwant Singh said that during both the 1965 war and the 1971 war, the lights of Sri Harmandir Sahib were also switched off during this blackout. He was the Deputy Manager of Sri Harmandir Sahib in 1965.
He said that at that time a foreigner had come here to pay obeisance and he had bowed down during the blackout. That foreign national said that in the darkness of the night, the aura of Sri Harmandir Sahib was a different sight, which he felt and he could not describe it in words.
It is noteworthy that the lights in Sri Harmandir Sahib have never been switched off at night. Due to the glow of the lights here at night, this place has a different and supernatural sight.