Leicester (UK):In a unique practice, a local gurdwara here has customised a Mercedes van to carry the Sikh holy text of Guru Granth Sahib to devotees homes for religious functions and family events. The practice, initiated by the Gurdwara Tegh Bahadur, has become popular among the Sikh population here and in neighbouring areas of Leicestershire that there is a long waiting list for it. Leicester has a nearly 12,000-strong Sikh population, which is the largest Sikh community in the east Midlands.



Tarlochan Virk, a volunteer at the gurdwara, said, "This is the only van in Leicester and it will give the people who come here the chance to have the Guru Granth Sahib Ji at their home during religious celebrations or at family events. "We have 1,000 people coming here every day and many of them will benefit from the van," he added. The gurdwara has spent about 30,000 pounds to costomise the Mercedes van and designed it in a way that it can transport the holy scripture with "full reverence and sanctity."



The front passenger seat of the van has been replaced with a stand - a palki -- on which the text is placed when it is carried to devotees homes. The palki is covered by a cloth, chandola. The height of the palki is higher than the other seats in the van, to signify the importance of the holy text.
Source : PTI