Devotees pay obeisance at Gurdwaras on 'Gurupurab'

Amritsar, Nov 2 : 'Gurupurab', the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism was celebrated today with religious fervour and traditional gaiety with devotees thronging Gurdwaras to pay obeisance.

A solemn ceremony was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the auspicious occasion. It was attended by President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. A langar was also organised on the occasion.

A sea of devotees paid obeisance at the historic Golden Temple and after taking dip in the 'sarovar' listened to 'kirtan' at the shrine and then went to the 'langar' (community kitchen) for partaking in the feast. The shrines were illuminated in the night.

A large number of devotees thronged the shrines of Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district to pay obeisance. Guru Nanak spent 14 years of his early life in this town.

Thousands of devotees also took a dip in the Kali Bein rivulet near Gurdwara Ber Sahib. It is said that after taking a dip in the Kali Bein Guru Nanak uttered the immortal words 'Ek Om Kar', meaning 'god is one'.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal accompanied by his wife Surinder Kaur also paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctoroum of the Golden Temple and performed 'langar' sewa at the shrine.

Greeting the people on the occasion, Mr Badal described him as an apostle of peace and tolerance.

'His teachings would continue to inspire generations, leading them to the path of righteousness and brotherhood,' he said.

'Gurupurab' was also celebrated with great enthusiasm at Goindwal Sahib, Khadoor Sahib, Baba Bakala, Sri Hargobindpur and at Batala and various other shrines in Punjab. There was heavy rush of devotees at shrines in Talwandi Sabo and Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of the 'Khalsa'.

In the Union Territory of Chandigarh, devotees thronged various gurdwaras in the city especially at gurdwara Nadda Sahib near Panchkula.

In the National Capital thousands of devotees thronged Gurdwaras.

All the Gurdwaras in the city were lit up on the occasion and langars were served.

A huge congregation was held at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib. The celebration which started early morning will continue till midnight in Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.

President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Paramjit Singh Sarna and its General Secretary Gurmeet Singh Shunty and other prominent members were also present in the congregation.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana attended the congregation and paid tributes to Guru Nanak Dev and appealed to the society to promote religious tolerance preached by Guru Nanak.

In Haryana, 'Gurupurab' was celebrated with devotees paying obeisance in shrines and 'langars' being organised along highways and roads across the state. In Himachal Pradesh, devotees thronged the gurdwara at Manikaran in Kullu district. The Guru had visited Manikaran and a historic gurdwara marks the spot. The devotees also gathered in large numbers at Paonta Sahib in the state.

Thousands of devotees thronged the famous ‘Jhiri Mela’ that commenced near village Kalyanpur in the Kanhachak area on Jammu- Akhnoor National Highway.

Famous as ‘farmers festival’, the Jhiri Mela is a week-long event organised every year on this occasion and people from across the country, especially from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana participate in the fair.

The fair witnesses heavy rush of devotees, who visit the place to pay obeisance at the shrine of ‘Baba Jitto’.

Gurupurab was also celebrated throughout the Kashmir Valley.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have greeted the people on the occasion.

People belonging to the Sikh community, attired in colourful dresses, visited Gurdwaras and other religious places.

The main function was held at Gurdwara Chatipadshahi in Rainawari area where women and children were seen in large numbers since early morning.

The gurdwara at Amira Kadal also witnessed heavy rush of devotees.

Reports of Gurupurab celebrations were also received from Tral, Baramulla and other parts of the valley and Muslims were seen greeting their Sikh brethren.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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