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- The responsibility for carrying out the service has been entrusted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to Bhai Mohinder Singh, head of the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha from Birmingham in the United Kingdom.
- Dhami said the gold plating of the Golden Temple requires regular upkeep, and volunteers of the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha have been performing this service every year as part of their devotion.
- The annual ‘kar sewa’—a voluntary service involving the cleaning and maintenance of the Golden Temple’s gold-plated surfaces—began on Friday morning at the Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib after a traditional ‘ardaas’ prayer.
The annual ‘kar sewa’—a voluntary service involving the cleaning and maintenance of the Golden Temple’s gold-plated surfaces—began on Friday morning at the Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib after a traditional ‘ardaas’ prayer. The service focuses on washing the gold plates covering the domes and outer walls of the sanctum sanctorum using natural materials.
The cleaning process uses a herbal mixture prepared from water, lemon juice and boiled ‘reetha’ (soapnut), ensuring that no chemical substances come in contact with the sacred structure. The natural solution helps remove dirt and pollutants while preserving the shine of the gold plating.
The responsibility for carrying out the service has been entrusted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to Bhai Mohinder Singh, head of the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha from Birmingham in the United Kingdom. Members of the organisation, along with volunteers from the Sikh community, have arrived in Amritsar to participate in the service.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, Golden Temple additional head granthi Giani Amarjit Singh and Bhai Mohinder Singh were present at the shrine when the service formally commenced. Dhami said the gold plating of the Golden Temple requires regular upkeep, and volunteers of the Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha have been performing this service every year as part of their devotion.
Apart from the sanctum sanctorum, volunteers will also clean the gold-covered domes of other important structures within the complex, including the Akal Takht, Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai and the Ghanta Ghar Deori.
Expressing gratitude to the volunteers, Dhami said such acts of selfless service reflect the spirit of ‘sewa’ that forms the core of Sikh tradition. He also expressed hope that the volunteers would continue contributing to the upkeep of the sacred shrine in the years ahead.
Bhai Mohinder Singh said members of the Jatha consider it a blessing to perform the service at the Golden Temple. According to him, devotees have travelled specifically to take part in the activity, which is expected to continue for about 10 to 12 days.
The Golden Temple, one of the most revered Sikh shrines, draws millions of devotees every year, making periodic maintenance essential to preserve its architectural splendour and spiritual significance.
