550th Prakash Utsav of Sri Guru Nanak Devji celebrated with gaiety and devotion

Hyderabad: The 550th Prakash Utsav (Birthday Celebrations) of Sri Guru Nanak Devji, the first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikh Religion, concluded on Tuesday with thousands of Sikh devotees and other community faiths celebrating it with religious fervour, gaiety and devotion by offering prayers.

The major attraction of the concluding event was jointly organised under the aegis of Prabhandak Committees, Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha, Ashok Bazar, Afzalgunj and Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad on Tuesday where nearly 30,000 Sikh devotees and other community faith participated in the 'Vishaal Deewan' (Mass Congregation) by offering prayers to Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Holy Scripture of Sikhs) at Exhibition Grounds, Nampally.

Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development KT Rama Rao, after releasing a Literature of Guru Nanak teachings in Telugu language here today, has assured the Sikh brethren that State Government would extend all necessary support in addressing their pending issues such allocation of land for construction of spacious Sikh Gurudwara in Mokila in city outskirts for which the Minister assured that a foundation would be laid by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao soon. The long-pending regularisation of land in Sikh Chawni, Kishanbagh would be sorted out shortly as State Government would call for a meeting with senior Sikh representatives and see that matter is solved at the earliest.

He recalled that four years ago when Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao participated in the Guru Nanak celebrations in Hyderabad, he announced a state holiday on occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanthi.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy recalled the self-sacrifices made by the Sikh community for the country. Sikh services towards society are unforgettable. Guru Nanak is not the only Guru for Sikh but is Guru for all as he stood communal harmony, equality, peace and brotherhood.

As part of the 550th Prakash Utsav celebrations of Guru Nanak, Central Government is organising various programmes to mark the important occasion across the country including the opening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor which would Sikhs devotees to offer prayers in Kartarpur Sahib located Pakistan where Guru Nanak spent his last days.

The Prabhandak Committee Presidents, S Gurcharan Singh Bagga (GSGSS) S. Baldev Singh Bagga (GSS) and other committee members said that the mass congregation began this morning at 11 AM continued up to 4 PM and was marked by the recitations of Gurubani Keertans and Kathas (Holy Hymns) by the renowned and reputed Ragi Jathas (Sikh Preachers).

Bhai Amarjeet Singhji of Patiala, Bhai Devinder Singh Singhji Khalsa of Sohana wale, Punjab, Hazuri Ragi Jathas, Bhai Hari Singhji, Bhai Pritam Singh, Bhai Jagdev Singh and other reputed Ragi Jathas who were especially invited from various parts of the country for the important occasion recited Shabad Keertans that stressed on imbibing the higher values of life and communal harmony for which Guru Nanak Devji strived.

They have also thrown light on the teachings of Sikh Gurus who stood for national integration, peace, brotherhood and communal harmony. They asked devotees to follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Devji which are very relevant these days.

After the culmination of the congregation, the traditional Guru-Ka-Langar (free community kitchen) was served to all the devotees where devotees sit in the same row with great discipline promoting the feelings of togetherness, fraternity and concern for fellow human beings.

A Night Keertan Darbar is also being organised at Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Afzalgunj on Tuesday from 9 pm to 2 am in which above famous Ragi Jathas will recite Gurubani keertans.