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Family proud custodian of miniature Granth Sahib
WSN Network

PATIALA: His Dada ji had given it to his father, and eventually he inherited it, but simpleton Gurcharan Singh perhaps does not even realize the uniqueness of the priceless possession as he proudly holds it up for you to photograph it. This Sikh family in the congested interior locality of old Patiala possesses a rare miniature of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which, when folded, is just 1x1.5 inches.

The miniature book contains the exact same number of pages (1430) as the normal sized Guru Granth Sahib, written in Gurmukhi script. The fragile scripture is kept wrapped in saffron cloth inside an unremarkable copper vessel that gives no clue of the treasure it holds. The pages of the miniature holy book have faded to pale yellow and its binding has come loose, but the print is still clear and can be read using a magnifying glass.

Some pages of the real script are slightly worn out, but now that the family realises its value, Gurcharan Singh, 58, of Sukhdaspura Mohalla and his family is hesitant to send the rare book to a binder's. They just glue them on themselves.

Gurcharan Singh has had the book for 50 years and does not know how it came to be in the family's possession. His grandfather Atma Singh handed it down to his son Harcharan Singh, the present owner's father, he says. Gurcharan's is the fourth generation of the family which has the holy book in its care.

The family is reluctant to talk about the rare miniature, which it hopes to preserve as a relic of their ancestors.

The book is held in great reverence by the family and treated with utmost respect. And it is very clear about keeping it in the family: "Our family is not interested in parting with its ancestral relic or sharing it with any person or organization."

11 November  2009
 

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