Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrated in city on grand scale

Hyderabad: The 549th birthday celebrations of Guru Nanak Devji, the first Sikh guru and founder of Sikh religion, concluded on Friday. Thousands of Sikh devotees celebrated the final day with religious fervor and gaiety by offering prayers. The major attraction, ‘Vishaal Deewan,’ on the concluding day was jointly organized under the aegis of Prabhandak committees, Gurudwara Saheb Secuderabad and Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha on Ashok Bazar. Over 25,000 Sikh devotees participated in the event and offering prayers to Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Scripture of Sikhs) at the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally.

The devotees started pouring in at the event from 11.00 am. The place was marked by the recitations of Gurubani Keertans and Kathas (Holy Hymns) by the renowned Ragi Jathas (Sikh preachers). They were invited from various parts of the country for the occasion. They also recited Shabad Keertans that stressed on imbibing the higher values of life and communal harmony for which Guru Nanak Dev strove for. After the culmination of the event, Guru-ka-Langar (free community kitchen) was served to all the devotees.

Sikh devotees in the city took out a colourful Nagar Keertan (holy procession) from Gurudwara Saheb, Secunderabad, on Wednesday, as part of the celebrations. Night keertan darbars were also held on Thursday at Gurudwara Saheb, Secunderabad, from 7.30pm to 10.30pm, and at Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Afzalgunj from 9.00 pm to 2.00 am.