GANGTOK, April 15: Marking the beginning of Punjabi New Year, followed by Bengali Poila Baishak (new year), the capital on 14 April celebrated an elaborate Baisakhi at the Gurudwara in Gangtok that also had its significance in Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s coronation as first king of Sikh kingdom in early 1806.
The Akhand Path or the reading of Guru Granthsahib marked the commencement of the celebrations on 12 April and the Bhog ceremony was held at 14 April noon. The General Officer commanding 17 Mountain Division; Major General KVS Lalotra, YSM, SM was the chief guest for the occasion.
The function was also attended by other Army officials, their families and the local population of the town in a large number. A community meal ie. Guru ka lenger was organized in unison by the Army authorities and the civilian public for about 5000 people.
The Gurudwara was established on 15 August 1982 by Major General VN Sharma, AVSM with the help of eminent citizens of the town. The work on the ground floor commenced on 2 November 1990 and was executed by Colonel JS Ahluwalia. Admiral RH Tahiliani (Retd) PVSM, AVSM, Governor of Sikkim inaugurated it on 11 August 1992.
After an interval of 13 years, Col JS Sekhon planned and executed the expansion work. The work commenced during the tenure of Major General Avdesh Prakash, VSM. The first phase was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling on 18 April 2005.
The construction completed on 30 June 2006. The highlight of the Gurudwara building is the 6 domes, the first of their kinds to be built in Sikkim. This task is attributed to an artisan from Uttar Pradesh.
The Akhand Path or the reading of Guru Granthsahib marked the commencement of the celebrations on 12 April and the Bhog ceremony was held at 14 April noon. The General Officer commanding 17 Mountain Division; Major General KVS Lalotra, YSM, SM was the chief guest for the occasion.
The function was also attended by other Army officials, their families and the local population of the town in a large number. A community meal ie. Guru ka lenger was organized in unison by the Army authorities and the civilian public for about 5000 people.
The Gurudwara was established on 15 August 1982 by Major General VN Sharma, AVSM with the help of eminent citizens of the town. The work on the ground floor commenced on 2 November 1990 and was executed by Colonel JS Ahluwalia. Admiral RH Tahiliani (Retd) PVSM, AVSM, Governor of Sikkim inaugurated it on 11 August 1992.
After an interval of 13 years, Col JS Sekhon planned and executed the expansion work. The work commenced during the tenure of Major General Avdesh Prakash, VSM. The first phase was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Chamling on 18 April 2005.
The construction completed on 30 June 2006. The highlight of the Gurudwara building is the 6 domes, the first of their kinds to be built in Sikkim. This task is attributed to an artisan from Uttar Pradesh.
