AMRITSAR: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has organised a religious nagar kirtan procession on the eve of 525th birth anniversary of first Guru of Sikhs Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji here on Saturday.
The nagar kirtan procession which was started from Akal Takht after parading in the main thoroughfare of city it was ended at Akal Takht last evening.
After the prayers, the holy bir of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was decorated in the golden Palki Sahib by Giani Raghbir Singh head granthi Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib. . During the Nagar Kirtan, a large number of devotees expressed their devotion by participating and school children, band parties, Shabad Chowki Jatha and Gatka parties participated in the Nagar Kirtan with full enthusiasm.
On the way to Nagar Kirtan, the devotees served water and langars.
Chief Secretary of Shiromani Committee during Nagar Kirtan. Kulwant Singh Manhan, head granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurmukh Singh, former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, member of the Shiromani Committee Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, Bhai Ajaim Singh Prakhya and other SGPC functionaries joined the nagar kirtan.
The holy "bir" of Guru Granth Sahib was carried in flower decked palanquin and flowers pettles were showered on it by devotees.
Several kirtani jathas were reciting the gurbani like " Satgur Nanak pargataya mitti dudh jag chanan Hoya..."
School children , gatka parties and brass bands also joined the nagar kirtan procession.
Giani Raghbir Singh Jathedar Akal Takht has congratulated the people of country for the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji and appealed to devotees to follows the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Meanwhile a jatha of Sikh pilgrims left for Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib to celebrate the Prakash Gurpurab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.This jatha was led by member of SGPC . Gurnam Singh .
Shiromani Committee member Bibi Sharanjit Kaur as deputy leader and general manager in charge. Palwinder Singh and Gurmeet Singh
.
Before the departure of the Jatha , the Chief Secretary of the Shiromani Committee. Kulwant Singh Manhan, OSD s. Satbir Singh Dhami, Secretary. Pratap Singh, Mr. Balwinder Singh Kahlwan and other officials gave Guru Bakshish Siropao to the Jatha leaders and devotees.
On this occasion, Chief Secretary of Shiromani Committee. Kulwant Singh Manan said that Sikh devotees celebrate the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji with reverence and respect all over the world.
He said that it is a matter of great happiness for the Sikh devotees to participate in Gurpurab events at the shrine of Guru Sahib. S. Manan said that there is a longing in the heart of every Sikh to visit the Gurdhams located in Pakistan and the hearts of the devotees who do not feel VJ are hurt.
He said that Sikh devotees should receive VJ with open heart. The Shiromani Committee is ready to provide all kinds of support to the Pakistan Gurdwara Committee in view of the large influx of Sikh pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the leader of the party Gurnam Singh Jassal said that it is a matter of honor for him to lead the Jatha on the occasion of Prakash Purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
He also said that out of 2244 pilgrims sent by the Shiromani Committee this time, 1481 pilgrims were not given visas by the Pakistan High Commission, which has hurt the hearts of the Sikh pilgrims. Jassal said that this jatha of devotees will participate in the Prakash Gurpurab celebrations at Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib on November 15. On November 16, Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib will be worshiped at Gurdwara Sri Sacha Sauda, Mandi Chuharkana (Shekhupura). Similarly, on November 17, pilgrims will reach Gurdwara Sri Panja Sahib Hasan Abdal and on November 18, Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib Narowal. On November 19, the jatha will stay at Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib and on November 20, passing through Gurdwara Sri Rodi Sahib Amanabad, it will reach Gurdwara Sri Dehra Sahib Lahore at night, from where the jatha will return to India on November 23.