Chaibasa, April 4: Head priest of Sri Harmandir Sahib Patna Ranjit Singh Gouhar on Sunday dedicated Nishan Sahib and Deori Sahib worth Rs 14 lakh to the devotees at Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara in Chaibasa. Addressing the gathering, Singh said, Nishan means a symbol, sign, seal or a stamp – a mark of identity, and Sahib is added for respect. It is sometimes referred to as Kesri Jhanda (Kesri – saffron colored, Jhanda – flag), Jhanda Sahib or simply Nishan.
“Nishan Sahib is ensign of the Khalsa (Panth – the Sikh world). It is hoisted in religious gatherings and other congregations related to the Sikhs. It leads religious and other processions in which mostly Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh Holy Book) is there, and Parbhat Phaerees (Morning Hymn-singing parades). It is put up on all the Gurdwaras (The Sikh Prayer Houses), or is set up in the court or yard of the building,” Singh added.
He further said, Nishan Sahib is an expression of authority, has spiritual tones, and it commands a high level of respect. The Sikhs consider Nishan Sahib auspicious and revere it as something special – a gift from the Guru: his fold (protective cover or his lap). The devotees respectfully place flowers on the parapet at its base, and light candles there, especially on the days of the Sikh celebrations. Earlier Nishan Sahib was cleaned with milk after which Ranjit Singh completed the ardas and erected the hydraulic Nishan Sahib. Present on the occasion were Harmandir Sahib Committee vice president Inderjeet Singh and Jharkhand Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee head Shailendra Singh, Gurmukh Singh Khokhar, general secretary Surendra Singh Walia, Ranjeet Singh, Inderjeet Singh, Shailendra Singh and others were present.