Devotees throng nagar kirtan ahead of Gurpurb

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 14

A sea of devotees took part in a nagar kirtan taken out on the eve of birth anniversary of fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das, who is the founder of the holy city, on Monday.

Circular road around the walled city was beautifully decorated and systems were installed to broadcast gurbani kirtan. Langar stalls were set up for devotees. A grand nagar kirtan was taken out to mark the 485th birth anniversary of the Sikh guru.

The religious procession commenced from the Akal Takht after performing ‘ardas’. Head granthi of Golden Temple Giani Jagtar Singh placed Guru Granth Sahib in a palanquin. En-route nagar kirtan, shopkeepers had cleaned and beautified the stretch of roads in front of their shops and lit candles to welcome the procession. They showered flower petals on the palanquin and felicitated ‘panj pyare’ and ‘nishanchi singhs’ with siropas.

Langar stalls were also set up by Kar Sewa Bhuri Wale, Gurdwara Baba Bakala Sahib and Bibi Kaulan Ji Bhalai Kendar.

Employees of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) tied ribbons over their turbans with ‘dhan dhan sri Guru Ram Das jee’ printed on these.

Police and school bands, gatka parties, nihang groups and others took part in the nagar kirtan. SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal, Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Takht Kesgarh jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh congratulated sangat on the auspicious occasion. They said the city founded by Guru sahib was a world-known and was a center of humanity as the Golden Temple transmitted a message of oneness.

The Golden Temple was illuminated with lights and the sanctum sanctorum was beautified with flowers brought from various countries by Mumbai-based devotees. Deepmala was also done at Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, railway station, ISBT, Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post, elevated road and other prominent public buildings.