Amritsar, 1 January 2024: Despite the biting cold and thick fog, the Golden Temple in Amritsar welcomed a steady stream of devotees from both near and far, all eager to start the New Year with prayer and reflection. Among those visiting the sacred site was Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Member of Parliament for the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
The busiest period came in the evening, when many chose to offer their prayers as the clock struck midnight. “It’s our tradition to begin the year here at the Golden Temple,” said Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who has made it a ritual to visit the gurdwara at this time each year.
While former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal is known for visiting the Golden Temple at dawn on the first day of the New Year, this year he plans to make his visit on Wednesday morning instead.
Among the diverse group of visitors was a Russian family, including six children, who had traveled to Amritsar to begin their year with prayer. Staying at the NRI Sarai, a guest house run by the SGPC, Yan, the father, explained, “We’ve been coming to the Golden Temple every New Year for several years. It’s a peaceful way to start the year with blessings.”
Arijit, a Delhi resident, was also drawn to the Golden Temple to kick off his year. “The peace and devotion I experience here make it the perfect place to begin my New Year,” he shared, reflecting on his past visits.
Savitri Singh from Malaysia and businesswoman Loveleen Multani from Bengaluru, both visiting with their families, expressed similar sentiments. “There is no better place to seek blessings for the year ahead than the Golden Temple,” Multani said, noting that her family had made it a tradition to visit the shrine every New Year.
For many, the Golden Temple offers not only a spiritual connection but also a place of peace and renewal, serving as a meaningful way to start the year with a sense of devotion and inner calm.
