Amritsar‑based Sikh leaders have announced a new travel‑help desk in Birmingham, the UK, aimed at making it easier for devotees to visit the world‑famous Takht Sahib in Amritsar.
Vice‑President Rajinder Singh Mehta told reporters that the idea for the desk had been on the table for years. “The main purpose of the coordination centre is to help our Sikh brothers and sisters who live abroad and want to come to Takht Sahib for darshan,” he said. “We’ve received many requests to set this up.”
The SGPC, also known as the Parliament of Sikhs, runs all Sikh gurdwaras in India and overseas. It is elected by Sikh voters under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925 and operates under the guidance of the Akal Takht Sahib.
The Birmingham office will give visitors updates on travel plans, visa questions, and accommodation options, easing the journey for large groups that usually travel in over‑seas tours.
Why a help desk? Many Sikhs in the UK live far from Punjab but still wish to participate in major pilgrimages. The SGPC says that, over the past decade, it has seen a steady rise in travel inquiries, especially from younger generations eager to connect with their heritage.
SGPC background
The SGPC gained authority when the British Punjab government passed the Sikh Gurdwaras Act in 1925, giving Sikhs control over their places of worship. After the decline of the Sikh Empire in the mid‑1800s, the British took over Punjab. Over time, Sikh governance of gurdwaras re‑asserted, leading to the SGPC’s current role.
Birmingham’s new desk is part of a broader effort by Sikh authorities to keep the diaspora connected to their roots. With the help of this visitor center, pilgrims can now plan their journeys to Takht Sahib more smoothly, bringing the community’s spiritual traditions into the modern era.
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