Air India 787 Carried Guru Granth Sahib Saroops on Delhi to Hong Kong Flight

DELHI- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) recently conducted a special transportation of Saroops, the physical copies of Guru Granth Sahib, from Delhi (DEL) to Hong Kong (HKG) with elaborate ceremonial care.

The airline dedicated its entire business class section to carrying these sacred Sikh scriptures, which are revered as the living embodiment of the Sikh Gurus’ teachings.

Photo: Mumbai Planes | Siddh Dhuri

Air India Guru Granth Sahib Saroops

Air India pilot Captain Sarab Jaspreet Minhas documented the significant religious event on Instagram.

In his post, he expressed feeling “blessed and privileged” to participate in the transportation process, noting that the operation proceeded “very smoothly” while adhering to religious protocols with assistance from both the airline team and Hong Kong Gurdwara community members.

The transportation followed strict traditional practices, with Captain Minhas and designated individuals carrying the Saroops on their heads as a sign of reverence during boarding. Each sacred text received its own business-class seat throughout the flight.

Upon landing at Hong Kong International Airport, the team maintained the same solemn protocol, carefully moving the texts via aerobridge into the terminal.

Additional footage shared by Captain Minhas showed the Saroops being respectfully guided through immigration before being entrusted to the local Hong Kong Gurdwara representatives.

The pilot specifically acknowledged airport authorities and Air India personnel for their support, stating they provided “leverage and respect to perform all the rituals by offering wholehearted cooperation.”

The videos of this sacred transportation have resonated deeply with online viewers, generating numerous expressions of appreciation and respect across social media platforms.

Photo: Boeing

About Guru Granth Sahib Saroops

The Saroop, a physical copy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib also called Bir in Punjabi, contains exactly 1,430 pages known as Ang, with identical verses appearing on corresponding pages of every copy.

Sikhs revere the Saroop as a living Guru, treating it with profound respect based on their belief that all ten historical Gurus shared the same spiritual essence, with Guru Granth Sahib serving as their eternal physical and spiritual manifestation.

The first compilation of Guru Granth Sahib occurred in 1604 when Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh master, created the original Bir and installed it at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Later, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh master, added verses written by his father Guru Tegh Bahadur, and compiled the text for the second and final time. In 1708, Guru Gobind Singh formally declared Guru Granth Sahib the perpetual living Guru of the Sikhs.

Guru Granth Sahib comprises hymns authored by six Sikh Gurus, fifteen saints including Bhagat Kabir, Bhagat Ravidas, Sheikh Farid and Bhagat Namdev, eleven Bhatts (balladeers), and four Sikhs. These sacred compositions appear in thirty-one different ragas or musical measures.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) holds exclusive rights to publish copies of Guru Granth Sahib, with production centered in Amritsar. Both installation and transportation of the scripture follow strict protocols outlined in the Sikh Rahit Maryada, the official code of conduct. Ideally, five baptized Sikhs participate in moving the sacred text, carrying it respectfully on their heads while walking barefoot.

“Sukh Asan Sthan” or “Sachkhand”

Gurdwaras maintain a dedicated resting chamber for the Saroop called “Sukh Asan Sthan” or “Sachkhand” where the Guru reposes at night. Each morning, the Saroop returns to its place of honor through a ceremony called “Prakash.”

The Sikh Rahit Maryada also defines four essential rites of passage: the birth and naming ceremony held in a gurdwara; the anand karaj (blissful union) marriage ceremony; the Amrit sanskar initiation into the Khalsa, considered most significant; and the funeral ceremony.

In Sikhism, whose name derives from the Punjabi word for “disciple,” followers adhere to the teachings of ten Gurus. Sikhs practice monotheism, referring to their faith as Gurmat (“the Way of the Guru”). Guru Nanak (1469-1539) established Sikhism, which developed under the influence of both the Bhakti movement and Vaishnava Hinduism.

Islamic persecution of Sikhs catalyzed the formation of the Khalsa order by Guru Gobind Singh. The Khalsa, meaning “The Pure,” consists of soldier-saints who embody the highest Sikh virtues and observe the five Ks: Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (wooden comb), Kara (iron bracelet), Kachera (cotton underpants), and Kirpan (iron dagger).

Sikhism teaches the fundamental equality of all people regardless of race, religion, or gender. The faith’s primary sacred texts include the Adi Granth, universally acknowledged by Sikhs as Guru Granth Sahib, and the Dasam Granth, which remains controversial within the Panth due to questions about its authorship and composition.

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