Devotees thronged the holiest of Sikh shrines, Harmandar Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple, in Amritsar and other gurdwaras across Punjab and Haryana on Thursday on Gurpurab - the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikh religion. Gurdwaras were illuminated since Wednesday with an atmosphere of festivities to mark the 545th birth anniversary of the Guru. ‘langars’ (community kitchens) were arranged at several places in and around gurdwaras.
At the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, thousands of devotees lined up since in the morning to offer prayers at the shrine. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) volunteers could be seen managing the rush of devotees. Hymns were rendered at the holy shrine and hundreds of other gurdwaras across the region to mark the occasion.
A contingent of over 1,500 Sikh devotees had arrived in Nankana Sahib, 100 km from lahore, in Pakistan on Wednesday for ‘Gurpurab’ celebrations at the birthplace of the Guru Nanak Dev, who was born in 1469 at Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan’s Punjab province) and who founded Sikhism later. Religious processions were taken out by the Sikh community in most cities and towns in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh in the last two days. Chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana greeted devotees on Gurpurab. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the Guru envisioned a casteless society free of rituals in order to attain salvation. “Guru Nanak Dev ji’s teachings are still relevant today especially in the present complex and materialistic society”, he added.
Haryana chief minister Manohar lal Khattar here also extended his greetings to the people of Haryana on the occasion. Khattar said the festival symbolises social unity and equality, adding that “Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji led a life of faith and devotion and dedicated himself to the cause of the poor irrespective of caste, creed and religion.