Holy City status – 3 cities of Punjab

Why in News?

The Punjab government has granted the “Holy City” status to Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo through a recent official notification.

• Holy City status – The sale of liquor, tobacco, cigarettes, and meat will be prohibited within the city limits.
• To promote religious tourism, devotees will be offered additional transport facilities such as mini buses and e-rickshaws.
• 3 Holy Cities – Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib, and Talwandi Sabo, these are part of the 5 Sikh Takhts.

“Takht” in Persian means an imperial throne.

• 5 Sikh Takhts –
  • Akal Takht (Amritsar),
  • Takht Keshgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib), 
  • Takht Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo)
  • Takht Patna Sahib is in Bihar,
  • Takht Hazur Sahib is in Nanded, Maharashtra.

Significance

• Akal Takht – It is considered the supreme among the five.
  • It was set up in 1606 by Guru Hargobind, who became the 6^th Guru after the execution of his father, Guru Arjan Dev.
  • He built the Akal Takht as a raised platform in front of the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
  • It represented the union of two powers - miri (temporal and political authority) and piri (spiritual authority).
  • Takhts issue hukumnamas (edicts) on matters affecting the Sikh community.
  • However, only the Akal Takht can issue orders that apply to the entire community, including disciplinary actions against those who violate Sikh doctrine.
• Other 4 takhts –
  • They are linked to the life of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10^th Guru.
  • Keshgarh Sahib – He raised the Khalsa, the initiated Sikh warriors, in 1699.
  • Patna Sahib – His Birthplace.
  • Damdama Sahib – He spent several months preparing the revised version of the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book of the Sikhs).
  • Hazur Sahib – He spent his final days here, and he was cremated in 1708.
• Concerns – Holy City status has led to discussions on restricting jhatka meat, the impact on shopkeepers who sold liquor, tobacco, and meat, and possible rehabilitation policies.

Jhatka meat is part of Sikh tradition, especially among the Nihangs, warrior Sikhs known for wearing deep blue.

Reference

Indian Express | Punjab’s 3 new ‘Holy Cities’