Puri: The Delhi unit of Siromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) has urged Puri Collector to preserve the historical relics relating to visit of Sikh Guru Nanak Dev in Mangu and Panjabi mutts, close to Srimandir.
A five-member delegation of SGPC, led by Sikh legal Cell chairman Jagdeep Singh Kahlon, Sunday met Collector Balwant Singh and presented a memorandum requesting him to preserve Mangu and Panjabi mutts.
The visit of the SGPC team assumed significance as the state government has decided to demolish all structures within a radius of 75-metre from the Meghnad prachir (wall) of the 12th century temple for security reasons.
Kahlon told reporters here that the team’s discussion with the Collector was positive. The SGPC unit sought to ensure preservation of the two mutts and stop their demolition.
In response to their request, the District Collector assured them to preserve the temples in the mutts, gaadi and the room for mahant, while the encroachment and unsafe structures would be demolished.
After witnessing the ongoing work for creation of heritage corridor and clearing of structures from close vicinity of the temple on security ground, the team members welcomed it and they expressed satisfaction with the assurance of the Collector.
The team thanked the media for bringing to their notice existence of two Sikh heritages in Puri.
Clarifying that Udasin sect is part of Sikh faith they said the sect believes in Guru Granth Sahib. Interestingly, these two mutts do not have Guru Granth Sahib.
In Mangu mutt, the marble statue of Sri Chandra, the son of Guru Nanak Dev along with Patitapaban image of Lord Jagannath, Sridevi and Bhudevi were worshipped, while in the Panjabi mutt many Hindu deities including the idol of Lord Jagannath is worshipped.
Speaking to media, Harjeet Singh Pappaji said Guru Nanak Dev conducted Arati of Lord Jagannath from this mutt which was incorporated in Guru Granth Sahib and this Arati is recited in all gurudwaras across the globe.
The Gurudwara built at Puri was named after Gurudwara Arati Sahib, said Bhupinder Singh Bhuller, a member of the team.
The reported move to demolish Mangu mutt belonging to Udasin sect of the Sikhs created resentment among the followers of Sikh panth, Sarabjeet Singh Virk said.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh twitted Saturday urging his Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik to preserve it.
The delegation visited Mangu Mutt Sunday morning and discussed demolition issues with Mahant Bhabanishankar Das. However, Mahant Bhabanishankar Das is reported to have requested the Collector to demolish the unsafe structures of the mutt complex and commercial outlets as these were forcibly occupied by goons and other influential persons.
Baba Samsher Singh, the granthi of local Gurudwara Arati Sahib and lawyer Biswajit Senapati were present during the meeting with the Collector.