Thousands of Sikhs from across the world have begun arriving in this northern Indian city to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the installation of Sikhism's scripture in the Golden Temple, witnesses said Sunday.
The scripture, known as the Adi Granth or the Guru Granth Sahib and believed to have been compiled by Sikhism's fifth guru Arjan Dev, was installed in the Golden Temple on September 1, 1604.
It was ordained as the embodiment of the Sikh faith by Sikhism's 10th and last guru Gobind Singh.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the first Sikh to occupy the premier's post, is expected in Amritsar on Wednesday for the main function at the Golden Temple, Sikhism's holiest shrine, his office said.
Besides Singh, India's president Abdul Kalam - a Muslim - and several other dignitaries will be among the three million people expected here to mark the anniversary celebrations.
Amritsar, lying close to India's border with Pakistan, has donned a festive look for the occasion after having been decorated with flags and banners by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.
The SGPC runs Sikh religious and cultural affairs world-wide and is headquartered at the Golden Temple complex. It is hugely influential among the generally affluent Sikh community.
Processions of devotees beating drums, playing flutes and dancing made their way Sunday through the picturesque streets of Amritsar Sunday, witnesses said.
Sikhs make up two percent of India's billion-plus population and live mainly in the northern state of Punjab.
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