A massive participation of Sangat was seen at the Nagar Kirtan taken out on the penultimate day of Gurpurb to celebrate parkash purab of founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandak Committee (SGPC) president, Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar, led executive committee members during participation in the Nagar Kirtan organised by various religious organisations.
It is for the first time in the 96-year-old history of the SGPC that its president and executive took part in the Nagar Kirtan.
After offering Ardas at the Akal Takht, under the patronage of Guru Granth Sahib, and led by Panj Piaras, the Nagar Kirtan passed through different areas of the holy city.
Among others, school bands, Singh Sabhas, Taksals, students, Nihang Singh organisations and Gatka parties, participated in the Nagar Kirtan. Stalls of langar were put up at various spots en-route of the Nagar Kirtan.
A colourful-mega-religious procession was taken out by Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) from Khalsa College to the Golden Temple in commemoration of the 548th Parkash Purab of Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak Dev, to be celebrated on Monday.
Students of Khalsa University, colleges and schools under the KCGC took part in the Nagar Kirtan, which was led by flower-decked palanquin (Palki Sahib) and Panj Payaras.
Devotees recited verses of Gurbani and sang devotional songs, while accompanying the Nagar Kirtan, which passed through GT Road, Putlighar, Sadar, Bhandari Bridge, Hall Bazar, finally culminating with offering of prayers at the Golden Temple.
The people beelined on both sides of the road to pay respects to Guru Granth Sahib carried in a Palki.
The KCGC honourary secretary, Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, led devotees, who amid beats of “Nagadas” (drums) and slogans of “Bole so Nihal” passed through city roads. Shabads in praise of Guru Nanak rant the air.
While congratulating all on the occasion of Gurpurab, Chhina said Guru Nanak’s message of universal brotherhood and peace was relevant in the strife-torn world of today. He said the procession was taken out as per traditions established by the 1890 set up of the KCGC and was an annual feature.
Various social, religious and educational institutions, including Chief Khalsa Diwan, welcomed the Nagar Kirtan on the way.