Sri Anandpur Sahib, March 6: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday paid obeisance at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and participated in the events to mark the starting of the traditional festival of Hola Mohalla.
The Chief Minister prayed to the almighty for peace, progress and prosperity in the state. He also wished that the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood are strengthened in the state with every passing day and Punjab leads the country in every sphere.
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Bhagwant Mann said that it is a divine experience for him to participate in the starting of this festival which is a symbol of the martial spirit of the Punjabis in general and the Sikh community in particular.
The Chief Minister said that he was blessed to bow here at this holy city of Sri Anandpur Sahib, which has the privilege of having been founded by the Ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in 1665, who sacrificed his life to uphold human dignity and human rights.
He further said that this revered place was also the birthplace of Khalsa as in the year 1699 the tenth master of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji laid the foundation of Khalsa Panth at this sacred land on the historic day of Baisakhi. Bhagwant Mann said that this sacred land has always inspired the Punjabis to fight against tyranny, oppression and injustice.
Meanwhile, interacting with the officers, the Chief Minister said that huge participation of the people from different walks of life is witnessed on the holy land of Sri Anandpur Sahib during the festival. He said that with all its humility and enthusiasm the state government is duty bound to ensure world class and flawless arrangements for the devotees visiting the holy city during Hola Mohalla.
Bhagwant Mann said that every year pilgrims celebrate this traditional festival with the colors of unity, tolerance, brotherhood and compassion.
The Chief Minister underlined the need for elaborate arrangements for traffic diversion, parking of vehicles, security arrangements, boarding, lodging and other facilities for the pilgrims. He also asked the officers to ensure that no stone is left unturned for facilitating the devotees coming at this sacred land for paying obeisance.
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Bhagwant Mann called upon the people to celebrate this mega event collectively with great enthusiasm thereby rising above the parochial considerations of caste, color, creed and religion in order to demonstrate the ethos of secularism and religious tolerance.