Patiala gurdwara defers 42-year cleaning of tank due to coronavirus outbreak

PATIALA: Novel coronavirus infection has forced Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib to postpone the Kar Sewa (volunteer labour) for the cleaning of its sarowar (sacred tank) that was last cleaned in 1976. Mass gatherings are unsafe.
Coronavirus outbreak live updates
It was after 44 years that the tank was to be desilted on March17. A huge mass would have assembled from across the state to participate in the cause.Baba Inder Singh, in charge of the cleaning operation, said: “Sikhs have been calling up from acrosss the world, requesting us to postpone the event. The gurdwara management and the district administration also requested it. We will announce the new date.”
The ninth Sikh master, Guru Teg Bahadur, had visited this spot and stayed here. Baba Inder Singh said: “For the first time, we would have cleaned the entire 25-foot depth. After the 1984 flushout operation of the Army, we cleaned only its upper few layers.”
The gurdwara management will hold Akhand Path (continuous prayer) from Tuesday for the welfare of the virus affected, with Bhog ceremony scheduled for March 19 at the shrine. Gurdwara manager Karnail Singh said: “It is in Sikh tradition to seek ‘Sarbat da Bhala’ (welfare of all).”