AMRITSAR: Tens of thousand, from home and abroad paid obeisance in the sanctum sanctorum of Harimandhar Sahib (Golden Temple the holiest Sikh shrine) on the eve of Baisakhi festival here Monday.

Sikh devotees along with their family members also took holy dip in the Sarovar (the holy water pond) while carrying religious belief in their mind that this exercise purifies ones heart, mind and inner soul of human being, said SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, the management body of Golden Temple) officials.

Devotees started to throng Golden temple since Sunday evening, Monday there was see of gathering in the marbled periphery of the Golden Temple.

District Administration had already made elaborate security arrangement besides heavy deployment of police officials for the smooth running of vehicular traffic.

According to the SGPC, this religious occasion being observed here today to observe anniversary of the formation of the Khalsa Panth or Sikh order.

Today, on this religious occasion devotees offered prayer for the fulfillment of their desires and issueless couple also pray here for male issue.

The 10th Sikh master, Gobind Singh, established the Khalsa Panth on Baisakhi Day (April 13, 1699). Afterward, every year, this day Baisakhi is observed likes festival.

In the evening Fireworks would be observed with various kinds of crackers in the marbled periphery of the Golden Temple with great enthusiasm amidst the religious slogans chanted by the devotees ‘Bole-So-Nihal Sat-Sri-Akal’.

Hundreds of foreign tourists have also thronged here to enjoy firework .

After Ardas (prayer as per Sikh rituals) and distribution of Karah Parshad (sweet pudding), Langar (community kitchen) was served. The distribution of food would remain continue throughout the night.

Monday, since early morning devotees in thousands queued up to pay obeisance in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple and at Akal Takht (Highest Sikh Temporal Seat). On this occasion the management of the Golden Temple has beautifully and tastefully decorated the Golden Temple with fancy electric lights Meanwhile, as per the SGPC 2700 Indian Sikh devotees are already in Hasanabdal (Pakistan), participated in the annual Baisakhi Mela (spring festival) in Panja Sahib Sikh shrine, some 60 km from Islamabad.

Panja Sahib attracts thousands of Sikh devotees from all over the world every year on April 13, said SGPC official.