Anandpur Sahib, June 18 (IANS): An 81-feet Sikh military emblem in this Punjab town is quite a hit among the devotees and tourists, officials said on Thursday.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal accompanied by his daughter-in-law and union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur on Wednesday unfurled the recently installed 81-foot 'Khanda' (double-edged sword) at Panja Piara Park.
The 42-feet high and 18-feet wide stainless steel 'Khanda', weighing three tonnes, was installed on a 39-feet high foundation, which has been given the look of Ramgarhia Bungas of the Golden Temple.
Officials said marble would be installed on the foundation on the pattern of Virasat-e-Khalsa for Rs.20 lakh.
The religious symbol was prepared by Satnam Fabrication of Moga town in three months.
G.S. Radiators managing director Ranjodh Singh, who was association with its installation, said the 'Khanda' was made of pure stainless steel.
It has been prepared in accordance with the aero-dynamic design with an expenditure of Rs.22 lakh, he told IANS. The design ensures that the 'Khanda' withstands wind pressure.
"This majestic symbol speaks out the great sacrifices of the Sikhs," tourist Gajinder Singh, who clicked "selfies" with the 'Khanda', said while pointing towards the symbol.
The three-day celebrations of 350th anniversary of the foundation of this historic town began on Wednesday.
The foundation of the town was laid by the ninth Sikh guru, Tegh Bahadur, on June 19, 1665.
The state government has declared a public holiday on June 19 to mark the celebrations.
BJP national president Amit Shah, union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Maneka Gandhi and Harsimrat Kaur, Chief Ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Vasundhara Raje Scindia of Haryana and Rajasthan respectively and Governors Kaptan Singh Solanki and Balramji Dass Tandon of Haryana and Chhattisgarh respectively will attend the concluding day ceremony.
Anandpur Sahib, 85 km from Chandigarh, is home to the second most important Sikh shrine, Takht Keshgarh Sahib, after the 'Harmandar Sahib' (popularly known as Golden Temple) in Amritsar.