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AC Plans for Harimandir Sahib : PLEASE HELP US AVOID THIS


amandeepm

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The SGPC is now at an advanced level of planning to install air conditioning units in the Harimandir Sahib (Golden Temple). This move demands holes to be punched through the ancient walls of the structure.

The sub-committee leading this plan has been influenced by a single political "VVIP" who is apparently visiting the site on a monthly basis and finds it uncomfortable. Please visit the story and leave your comments.

http://www.punjabheritage.org/material-her...emple-2704.html

The pressure applied by advocacy groups like Punjab Heritage News over the last few months on the authorities at Nanded have assured that the Ranjit Singh Baradari were conserved instead of destroyed. Please keep up the good work.

Amandeep Madra

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I will be the chips!

why don't they just take off the panels of gold...drill through the walls, put in air conditioning...maybe even a tanky on top of darbar sahib...the airplane or even better..the roman warrior (so its like 300)...then instead of gold, which is going bad...just simply put up gold colored bathroom tiles...that way if the tanky spills....darbar sahib will be clean...my only concern is that the christmas lights and tinsel do not fall......

cheers...I also think they should go back to the candles in darbar sahib, instead of the fluorescent lights...which are tacky, and then have a disco ball at the top, to spread the light....why not think outside of the box!

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Dear Vinegar,

This isn't about opposing everything that the SGPC do. This is about them making interventions into the building when they dont understand the implications.

The electrification of the building and indeed the more recent cabling to support the broadcasts from the Darbar Sahib are positive but their implemetnation has been far from positive.

PLease see the images below taken in 2006 by Taran Singh of how the electrification has been carried out. By looking at these I think we have a legitimate right to question very strongly the exact need for this intervention becuase there is no going back once they start.

gte1.jpg

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http://www.punjabheritage.org/material-her...emple-2704.html

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On a more serious note,

what would be a logical and effective approach to this matter. Clearly, modernization is seen as the hallmark of progression..regardless of whether the work is done tastefully or not; so my question boils down to what steps can be taken and how. Is there any media source or big whigs we can use to counter this?.....

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Gurfateh !

You can already see the ugly evidence of air conditioning at Siri Darbar Sahib

The Darshani Deori - look at the left side above the wooden doors - is this what we have to look forward to ?

34209742294a43c80fdovh1.jpg

If they must have AC, why not use the portable type units you can get, rather than hacking into the walls?

I was always told that the construction and position of the Harimandir - surrounded by water, 'Damp' lime structure with the gold plating reflecting the heat away - helped to cool the building.

But I guess the SGPC knows better ! - make your voices heard on the UKPHA site - no more bodge jobs !

http://www.punjabheritage.org/material-her...emple-2704.html

Ranjit Singh 'Freed'

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http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070430/punjab1.htm#3

COOL OFF

SGPC likely to drop plan to install AC

Varinder Walia

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 29

Following world-wide criticism the SGPC is likely to drop the move to install AC in the sanctum sanctorum of Harmander Sahib.

Indications to this effect was given by SGPC Chief Avtar Singh while talking to The Tribune today. He informed that the report of the sub-committee would be presented in the meeting scheduled to be held on May 3 at Chandigarh.

He said the feelings and aspirations of the Sikh sangat would be kept in mind while taking any decision regarding air conditioning of the sanctum sanctorum.

He said he himself was a heritage lover and won't allow anything that would damage the ancient structure of Harmander Sahib.

Renowned conservationist Gurmit Rai has warned that the air conditioning system, if introduced in Darbar Sahib, would be an extremely destructive intervention. Sounding a note of warning, she informed the air conditioning system comprises a blower and a compressor and hence while the blower would need to be placed on the floor or mounted on the walls inside the building, the compressor will need to be fixed outside.

These blowers cannot be mounted on the walls or roof without damaging the structure and decorations because of drilling holes or inserting mounting system.

Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, a senior SGPC member, who is also a member of the sub-committee, has also expressed reservations over the move to install AC in the sanctum sanctorum of Golden Temple.

Veteran SGPC member Manjit Singh Calcutta described the move as “ill-conceivedâ€.

He said air conditioning would earn the wrath of Sikh sangat who visit the holiest Sikh shrine for spiritual solace and not for physical comforts .

Conservationists said the walls of Harmander Sahib are made of burnt bricks and lime mortar.

The roofing system too is a masonry vaults. The surfaces are extremely decorative, with in-layed marble panel, frescoes, or clad with gilded copper embossed sheets. Not even a square inch of plain space can be found on the walls and ceilings to place the AC without damaging the original structure and decorations.

Decorations would also be at risk due to the variation in the micro climate zones (in temperature and humidity) that would be created inside the building as the doors have to be kept open.

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"The pindu way just rules the Indian Sikh community, both in India and abroad"

This is quite true. Amandeep Singh, please continue with your efforts against the works in India, we have already seen the problems caused in Sach Khand Hazoor Sahib with the historical Ramgarhia Bungas (despite money being sent across from abroad to assist with any works required).

Closer to home, how often do we see a flurry of Christmas lights and other cheap and nasty 'decorations' at Gurdwaras not to mention the sheer level of wastage..."attitudes" are what underlies most of these things....

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