The connection between Sikhism and the Jagannath temple goes back to more than 500 years ago when Guru Nanak began touring the world to spread the message of Ik Onkar, meaning "one supreme reality".

During his journey, he came to Odisha and legend has it that it was in the abode of Lord Jagannath that the holy arti, 'Gagan mein thaal', which is enshrined in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, was composed.

Also during his visit, he advised his thirsty disciples to dig a well on the shore of the sea from which sweet water would come out. In memory of Nanak Ji, a mutt was set up, which came to be known as Bauli Mutt. It is considered very holy in our community.

Since then the association of Sikhs with the Jagannath temple was formed and continues till today. Every year, hundreds of people visiting Odisha make it a point to visit the Lord as that makes us feel that we are a part of Him.

Another link that we still cherish is the one between the holy land of Puri and Guru Gobind Singh. In 1699, at Anandpur Sahib, while the guru was creating the Khalsa, Himmat Rai, a young lad from Puri who came from a humble background, offered his head to the guru.

He and other four other men, who were willing to sacrifice their lives, were known as the panj pyare and received the vows of the Khalsa directly from Guru Gobind Singh.

He was bestowed with the name of Bhai Himmat Singh and the five beloved ones became the nucleus of the Khalsa. He attained martyrdom fighting in the battle of Chamkaur. He was a warrior and signifies courage in our community.

There are many such legends like these that indicate a strong bond between Puri and the Sikhs. Every year, members of the various Gurudwaras in the state gather to visit Lord Jagannath and his siblings during the rath yatra.

This year, we had set up a water kiosk on the day of the car festival to serve sherbet and other beverages to the devotees.

The Jagananth temple is one of the char dhams, and visiting the temple reminds us of the founder of our religion, Guru Nanak. Nowadays, there are so many modes of travel such as buses, cars and trains, but He came to Puri on foot.

Like Him, Chaitanya was another holy man who was here to spread the message of the oneness of God. Both of them, one hailing from the west and the other from the east, had one goal in life - unite the human race through true devotion to god.

Recently, we have decided to set up a stand near the Puri temple where devotees can keep their belongings before they enter the temple. This will be a free service and we are in talks with the temple management committee and the district administration to set it up.

For us, service to the Lord is service to mankind. So, we want to keep the connection between our community and Puri alive by offering various kinds of services to the devotees of the Lord.