HSGMC Chairman Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda inspects the under-construction Langar and Diwan Hall at Gurdwara Shri Kapal Mochan Sahib.
New facility to accommodate around 3,000 devotees; project targeted for completion before the annual Kapal Mochan fair
YAMUNANAGAR | PEN OF DEMOCRACY NEWS DESK
A major construction project aimed at expanding facilities for devotees at the historic and religiously significant Gurdwara Shri Kapal Mochan Sahib in Haryana is progressing rapidly. A grand Langar and Diwan Hall is being constructed at an estimated cost of around ₹1.50 crore with the joint support of District Council member Bibi Gurjit Kaur and Kar Sewa Baba Sukha Singh Ji of Karnal. The project is being undertaken with the objective of providing better facilities to the large number of devotees who visit the historic shrine, particularly during major religious events and the annual Kapal Mochan fair.
The construction work is being carried out on a priority basis, with the target of completing the project before the upcoming annual Kapal Mochan fair. The construction of the new facility, being undertaken after nearly 25 years at the gurdwara, is being viewed as an important step towards meeting a long-standing requirement of the visiting sangat.
According to the management, the new building will have the capacity to accommodate around 3,000 devotees at one time. It will provide arrangements for devotees to sit together, partake in langar and listen to Gurbani in a spacious and comfortable environment. The facility is expected to provide considerable relief to devotees during major religious gatherings, particularly from weather conditions such as intense heat, rain and cold.
Bibi Gurjit Kaur, a District Council member, is serving as the principal sevadaar of the project. The construction is progressing under the guidance of Kar Sewa Baba Sukha Singh Ji of Karnal and Baba Sultan Singh Ladi Ji. Skilled workers associated with the Kar Sewa have been working day and night to ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated timeframe.
The management committee of the gurdwara said that a large number of devotees from Punjab, Haryana and neighbouring states visit Gurdwara Shri Kapal Mochan Sahib every year to pay obeisance. The shrine holds special religious significance and attracts a particularly large gathering during the Prakash Purab celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, when a major Kirtan Darbar is organised.
During such religious occasions, the arrival of a large sangat often creates a need for adequate covered space and other facilities. The new Langar and Diwan Hall is expected to address this requirement and provide devotees with a more organised and comfortable space for religious programmes and langar.
As part of efforts to monitor the progress of the project, Chairman of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, visited Gurdwara Shri Kapal Mochan Sahib and inspected the construction site. He reviewed the pace of construction as well as the quality of the work in detail and expressed satisfaction over the progress being made.
Bibi Gurjit Kaur, Sardar Paramjit Singh Changnauli and sevadars associated with the Kar Sewa were present during the inspection. Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda appreciated the efforts being made by Bibi Gurjit Kaur and Sardar Paramjit Singh Changnauli towards the service, development and improvement of facilities at the gurdwara.
Jhinda said the development of religious places and creation of better facilities for devotees becomes possible only through the collective support of the sangat and the dedicated efforts of sevadars. He appreciated the spirit of service behind the construction project and said the new hall would serve devotees for many years to come.
He said the facility would not only meet the immediate requirements of the sangat during major religious gatherings but would also become an important legacy for future generations. The construction of a spacious facility capable of accommodating thousands of devotees together would strengthen the arrangements at the historic shrine and contribute to a better experience for pilgrims visiting Kapal Mochan.
The HSGMC chairman also appealed to the sangat of the region and devotees associated with Gurdwara Shri Kapal Mochan Sahib to extend their support to the ongoing service project. He urged people to contribute according to their capacity through their time, effort and financial assistance so that the construction work could be completed successfully and the facility made available to devotees at the earliest.
The project has generated interest among devotees because of its scale and the long gap since a major construction initiative was undertaken at the gurdwara. With the annual Kapal Mochan fair approaching, the construction teams are working continuously to meet the deadline.
The new Langar and Diwan Hall is expected to become an important addition to the facilities at Gurdwara Shri Kapal Mochan Sahib. Apart from providing a dedicated space for langar, the hall will facilitate religious programmes, Gurbani recitation and congregation activities under one roof. The facility is also expected to help the management accommodate large gatherings in a more systematic manner.
The construction initiative reflects the traditional spirit of Kar Sewa and collective participation of the sangat in the development of religious institutions. The organisers said the primary objective is to serve devotees and ensure that visitors to the historic shrine are provided with adequate, safe and comfortable facilities during religious occasions.
Baba Sukha Singh, Sardar Jagdish Singh Jhinda, Baldev Singh Kayampur, Harbhajan Singh Paonta Sahib, Gurminder Singh, Major Singh and a large number of devotees, sevadars and prominent members of the community were present during the inspection and construction-related activities.
