In a big development, Punjab has declared three cities of the state as ‘holy’. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann after the Punjab assembly unanimously passed a resolution he moved at a special one-day session held at Anandpur Sahib. This was the first time that the government held its assembly session outside the capital of Punjab, to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Which cities of Punjab will be considered holy?

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann specified that the ‘holy city’ status will apply to Anandpur Sahib (Rupnagar), home to Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda), home to Takht Damdama Sahib and the walled city area around the Golden Temple in Amritsar, site of the Akal Takht. These three locations encompass three of the five Sikh Takhts. 

There are five ‘Takhts’ of Sikhs out of which three – Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar), Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda) and Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib (Sri Anandpur Sahib).

Are meat, alcohol and tobacco banned?

According to the resolution, a complete ban on the sale and consumption of liquor, meat and tobacco items has been placed in these holy places. Bhagwant Mann said that for decades, people have been demanding holy-city status for these places. “Our government is blessed to have taken this decision. The special session will be remembered for a long time for this move,” Bhagwant Mann said. “I have been hearing of this demand for such a ban since my childhood… The Vatican City is known worldwide, but we have so many holy cities.International visitors coming here should get to know the religious significance of these places. The cities are not just religious centres but also symbols of our civilisational heritage,” Mann added.

Five ‘Takhts’ of Sikhs

There are five ‘Takhts’ of Sikhs out of which three – Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Amritsar), Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda) and Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib (Sri Anandpur Sahib).