All set for Guru Nanak birth anniversary festivities

Hyderabad: The Prabhandak Committees of Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Afzalgunj (GSGSS), and Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad (GSS) have come together for the first time to jointly celebrate the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak. The celebrations will start on November 7 and conclude on a grand note on November 12 with a mass congregation at Exhibition Grounds, Nampally.

According to the organisers, it was the most important and major festival of Sikh Community which is celebrated across the world. It is also known as Prakash Utsav. Nanak is first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikh religion, who spread the message of peace and communal harmony.

Speaking to media persons, Committee Presidents Sardar Gurcharan Singh Bagga (GSGSS) and Sardar Baldev Singh Bagga (GSS) said that two grand colourful 'Nagar Keertans' (holy processions) will be taken out. First procession will be taken out on Thursday (November 7) evening from Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad and another on Saturday (November 9) evening from Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Guru Nanak Marg Afzalgunj.

On the day of Prakash Utsav celebrations on November 12, an elaborate 'Vishaal Deewan' (mass congregation) will be held at Exhibition Grounds in Nampally. On the occasion of Nagar Keertans, these two grand processions will be attended by thousands of devotees from across the state. Guru Granth Sahebji (the Revered Holy Scripture of the Sikhs) will be carried out on a decorated vehicle along with 'Nishaan Sahebans' (religious flags). Besides that, 'Panj Pyaras' (five beloved ones) in their traditional attire will be the cynosure of attraction in the procession, they informed.

During Nagar Keertans, a special programme called Sadavirsa Sada Gaurav dedicated to the Sikh history which will enlighten, inspire and motivate Sikh youth to follow the path of the guru and Gatka Display along with Shabad Kirtan by Miri Piri Khalsa children Jatha, Sikh Chawni, Kishanbagh.

On Saturday, a procession will be taken out from Sri Guru Singh Sabha Afzalgunj and will pass through Afzalgunj, Siddiambar Bazar, Jambagh, Putli Bowli, Central Gurudwara Saheb Gowliguda and reach Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Afzalgung in the evening at around 9pm. The Procession will be marked by rendering of Shabad Keertans (Holy Hymns) by the Jatha Tera Jatha, Istri Satsang and Keerthani Jathas of men and women, Sardar Singh explained.

Sardar Singh also said that the major attraction of the procession will be the display of 'Gatka' a famous Sikh martial art forms and other breathtaking sword exercises all along procession by Dashmesh Kalgidhar Jatha and other Special Gatka Party will also exhibit their Gatka skills.