PM Modi Offers Prayers at Patna Sahib Gurdwara, Describes Visit as "Divine Experience"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had darshan of the holy 'Jore Sahib', the sacred footwear of Guru Gobind Singh and his wife Mata Sahib Kaur

Patna:

On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Patna Sahib gurdwara where he offered prayers and later described the experience as "divine" on social media.

The Prime Minister, wearing an orange turban, was accompanied by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Bihar Assembly Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav during his visit to Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib.

During his visit, PM Modi had the opportunity to view the holy 'Jore Sahib', which are the revered footwear of Guru Gobind Singh and his wife Mata Sahib Kaur. These sacred relics were brought in a ceremonial procession from Delhi to Patna Sahib gurdwara earlier that day.

The Prime Minister collected prasad from the gurdwara counter and greeted devotees who responded with enthusiastic cries of 'Jo boley so nihal'.

Following his visit, PM Modi shared his experience on X (formerly Twitter), writing: "It was a very divine experience to pray at the Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib this evening. The noble teachings of the Sikh Gurus motivate the entire humankind."

He further noted that Patna Sahib gurdwara holds a special connection to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, whose courage and dedication to justice continue to inspire many.

The Prime Minister mentioned his darshan of the holy 'Jore Sahib' of Sri Guru Gobind Singh and Mata Sahib Kaur, adding that these sacred items had arrived in Patna after the divine Guru Charan Yatra, which saw participation from diverse segments of society. He encouraged people to visit Patna and take darshan of these holy relics.

The 'Jore Sahib' had been preserved by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's family for over three centuries before being handed over to the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee recently.

Extensive security arrangements were implemented at the Patna Sahib gurdwara for the Prime Minister's visit.

Earlier that day, PM Modi had addressed election rallies supporting NDA candidates in Arrah and Nawada. His gurdwara visit followed a large roadshow he led in Patna.

During his Arrah rally speech, the Prime Minister referenced the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that occurred after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination, stating, "It was around the same time of the year in 1984, on November 1-2, when Sikhs were massacred in Delhi. Those who were guilty are being promoted by the party (Congress). The party has been unapologetic about the carnage."

Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib is recognized as one of the five significant Sikh takhats. Maharaja Ranjit Singh commissioned the shrine's construction in the 18th century to mark the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh.

Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh guru, was born in Patna in 1666 and spent his early years there before relocating to Anandpur Sahib.