Tarlochan Singh, the Jathedar (head) of Takht Keshgarh Sahib, the second most important Sikh shrine after Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple), died after a heart attack, officials said here Wednesday.
He was the head of the shrine located at Anandpur Sahib, 80 km from here.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal left for Anandpur Sahib on hearing about the death of the Sikh high priest.
Badal said Tarlochan Singh was a great Sikh scholar who propagated the tenets of Sikhism far and wide.
Tarlochan Singh will be cremated in Anandpur Sahib Thursday.
The Keshgarh Sahib shrine is famous as the birthplace of the 'Khalsa Panth', the modern-day Sikh religion.
It was at Anandpur Sahib on April 13, 1699 that the tenth Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh, baptised the first five Sikhs (Panj Piaras) and founded the Khalsa.