The local Sikh community as well as the president of Baleswar Gurudwara Committee have submitted a memorandum to Baleswar MP and Union Minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi urging him to launch a superfast train between Puri and Amritsar.

Amar Singh Walia, a resident of Baleswar and president of Baleswar Gurudwara,  has submitted a memorandum urging the Minister for his initiative in this front  when the 550th Birth anniversary of  Guru Nanak Devji is celebrated  across the globe.

He mentioned, “There is an eternal bond between Sikhism and Jagannath culture  which has root since 16th century. Guru Nanak Devji  has travelled to Puri to have a darshan of Lord Jagannath  in that era .

During his stay, his spiritual powers were witnessed by then Gajapati and other Sevaks of Lord Jagannath.

The  testimonies  which are still standing tall in Puri are Bauli mutt and Mangu Mutt. While residing in Puri, close to the sea beach, Nanak Dev had asked his devotees to fetch drinking water. When the devotees  were in dilemma  from where to bring sweet water for their Guru, the latter asked them to dig the earth on which he was doing meditation.Surprisingly, that place delivered  sweet water. The well exists at Bauli Mutt, claimed Walia.Similarly , in a place close to temple where Nanak Dev was reciting hymns of Lord Jagannath and doing bhajans along with devotees underneath a peepal tree is known as Mangu Mutt.     Further ,  Walia said one among Odisha born person , Himaat Rai found place  among the first ‘Panch Paire’ which was formed by 10th Guru, Gobind Singhji.

In 1699, the first five  committed men embraced Sikhism after Khalsa panth was formed by  the 10th Guru of Sikhism , Guru Gobind Singhji. 

Himmat  Rai , born in Puri district  on January 18 ,1661 ,  who was among the first five , Panj-Piare (five beloved)  volunteered to sacrifice their lives in response to the call of the  Guru Gobind Singhji  and later on known as Bhai Himmat Singh.

“In view of above perpetual bonds I urged the Minister to  take initiative in this scared year  and act on our demand. This would be not only enrichment of cultures between religions and communities , the train would boost tourism prospects too of both States," observed Walia. “This  would be a great help to devotees , tourists  and other passengers of both States  and en-routes,” he added, further  adding  the train from Puri should run via Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Baleswar and Kharagpur.