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In October 2008 Nanded will be
Host to Gur-ta- Gaddi Tercentenary Celebrations marking the
300th anniversary of Parlok Gaman of Shri Guru Gobind Singhji as
well as consecration of Shri Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal
Guru of Sikhs. This event is planned to be celebrated with lot
of fan and fervor, as over 2.5 million pilgrims are likely to
visit Nanded.
The key events as part of the
week-long Gur Ta Gaddi celebrations from October 24 to October
31, 2008 would include:
a.
Takhat Snan (Holy Bath) – October 24, 2008
b.
Diwali ) – October 25, 2008
c.
Julus (Pre-event Procession) – October 26, 2008
d.
Gur Ta Gaddi (commemorating consecration of Guru Granth
Sahib) – October 27, 2008
e.
Parlok Gaman (commemorating Guru Gobind Singh’s departure
for his heavenly abode) – October 30, 2008
f.
Julus (Closing Procession) – October 31, 2008
Large-scale festivities and
celebrations are expected to begin from April-May 2008 onward
with the celebration of Holi, followed by Baisakhi, Dussera and
Diwali, before the Gur ta Gaddi tercentenary celebrations. Each
of these events, in a normal course witness daily pilgrim
turnovers of 75,000 to 100,000 – and the civic infrastructure is
inadequate to service the inflow. It is expected that about 25
lakh pilgrims will visit Nanded in 2008 – the year that marks
the tercentenary of the Gur ta Gaddi and other religious events
related to Guru Gobind Singh’s last days before he left for his
heavenly abode.
Given the poor state of civic
services in Nanded, the city and district administrations will
have to really gear up to meet the demands of the event and will
have to ensure adequate infrastructure and logistics
arrangements to address the needs of the large number of
pilgrims expected to visit the city and to manage the event
safely and successfully.
While this poses a major
challenge to the Municipal Corporation and District
Administration, the Municipal Corporation are viewing this as an
opportunity to revive the city’s slowing economy and
deteriorating quality of life through substantial investments in
urban renewal, conservation and infrastructure development. | 
