- Virasat e Khalsa….A Heritage Complex
Anandpur Sahib, Punjab. The Khalsa Heritage Museum – now named the Virasat-e-Khalsa – unveiled a spectacular and breathtaking view of its majestic structure extending over a 65-acre complex. In the Museum itself there is a 400-seat auditorium, double storied library, 15 exhibition galleries covering 650,000 square feet (10 scheduled for later opening), including audio-visual exhibits, a walk-through ramp, and a series of water pools. The experience is enriched by the audio guides, available in English, Hindi and Punjabi. The Museum houses the largest illuminated hand-painted mural in the world.
The Inauguration day’s atmosphere was celebratory with Jathedars of five Takhts joining hands in dedicating the monumental Museum which traces the birth and journey of Khalsa from Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Gobind Singh — as a tribute to sacrifices made by the Sikhs and Punjabis. Elephants decorated with martial gear, Nihungs on horseback ringing the lawns and exhibiting gatka, ragis and singers, religious leaders and politicians speaking were part of the festivities.
Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, said that the sacrifices of Sikhs are depicted in the Memorial and set there to perpetuate the memory of Sikh martyrs and instruct the evolution of Sikh history for generations to come. Giani Tarlochan Singh, Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib performed the closing ardas for the Inauguration ceremony. Gliders dropping flower petals and confetti, and fireworks in the evening completed the day.
Guru Dharm Kaur at Dashmesh Sadan, Siri Singh Sahib Ji’s Anandpur Sahib Ashram (www.dashmeshsadan.org), attended and said it was a “beautiful opening of the Khalsa Heritage Complex today…truly beautiful; experiential of Khalsa. Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe Guru Ji Ki Fateh!!”
Virasat–e-Khalsa is expected expand Anandpur Sahib to become an international attraction as it is unlike any of India’s museums. The complex is serene with beautiful landscaping, surrounded by the rugged Shivalik hill country, which is the historical home of five of our Gurus — Guru Hargobind Ji through Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in Anandpur Sahib and nearby Kiratpur Sahib. One entry to the facility is located directly behind Qila Anandgarh, the Anandpur Sahib Fort where Guru Gobind Singh Ji lived and fought with his Khalsa army holding off the moghuls, and about ½ mile from Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. It was here Guru Gobind Singh Ji left Anandpur Sahib for the last time in December 1704. The museum’s many reflective pools reflect the historical and current waterways of the area — nearby River Sutlej and River Beas, and the Bakra-Nangal Dam, Asia’s 2nd highest dam, all in its proximity, as well as aqueducts which feed irrigation for more than 10 million acres of land in four states. Transportation has been upgraded in and to the area with the completion of a new bus station, an increase in train schedule from Delhi, and the remodel of the Anandpur Sahib station.
Said to be the largest contemporary heritage complex on the subcontinent, included is an impressive modern audio-visual component along with its modern design. Designed by Boston-based Moshe Safdie, known for creating the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Jerusalem, the museum is not without criticism for the cost, and contrast, to traditional local and Punjabi/Sikh architecture, and use of non local materials.
The first phase of the complex has taken 13 years and approximately Rs 3600 million (tens of millions of US dollars) to complete. The project was initiated in 1999 at the time of the 300th anniversary of the creation of the Khalsa in Anandpur Sahib by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. The second phase will cover the spread of Khalsa throughout the world over the last 300 years.
View more photos and read more about this incredible project at Sikhnet.com.
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