Tarn Taran (Punjab), June 16 : Thousands of Sikhs today observed the 402nd anniversary of martyrdom of their fifth Guru, Arjun Dev.

Devotees from far flung places gathered at the Gurudwara at Tarn Taran to commemorate the martyrdom day of Guru Arjun Dev.

"Guru Arjun Dev sat on a hot girdle for the people without discriminating one religion from the other. He felt the same way for people of different religions and sacrificed for them," said Jasbir Singh, a devotee.

The youngest son of the fourth Guru, Ram Das, Arjun Dev was born at Goindwal, near Amritsar, in 1563 A. D. He was the founder-builder of Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple.

Guru Arjun Dev expanded the city of Amritsar and Kartarpur and founded the city of Tarn Taran.

His most significant contribution was the compilation the Adi Granth in 1604 A. D. Equally significant was his inclusion in the Granth Sahib selections of verses by Hindu and Muslim saints.

Guru Arjun Dev was arrested, brought to Delhi and tortured for five days on the orders of Emperor Jehangir, who believed that the Guru had conspired against him and ordered his execution.

Guru Arjun Dev was barely 43 years old at the time of his supreme sacrifice. (ANI)