Baba Sehgal, Daler Mehndi In Town For Prakash Utsav

The five day festivities of the 543rd Prakash Utsav, birthday celebrations of 'Sri Guru Nanak Devji', the first Sikh Guru and founder of the Sikh religion, concluded on Wednesday with thousands of Sikh devotees and those of other faiths celebrating it with a 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 Saheb Secunderabad and Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha, Ashok Bazar where over 25,000 Sikh devotees and other community faith participated in the "Vishaal Keertan Darbar" (mass congregation) by offering prayers to Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Holy Scripture of Sikhs) at NTR Stadium, near Indira Park.

The congregation began on Wednesday morning at 11am and continued up to 4pm, and was marked by the recitations of Gurubani Keertans and Kathas (holy hymns) by the renowned and reputed Ragi Jathas (sikh preachers).

Bhai Dalbir Singh of Sri Harmandir Sahibji (Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab), Bhai Onkar Singhji of Una Saheb wale (Punjab), Bhai Jaswinder Singhji, Bhai Hari Singh Hazuri Ragi Jathas, and Bhai Gurdit Singh Surinder Singhji were specially invited from various parts of the country for the important occasion, and 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.

Prabhandak Committee Chairman, Harmahinder Singh Bagga, Presidents, S Gurucharan Singh Bagga (GSGSS) and S Baldev Singh Bagga (GSS) welcomed the devotees at the congregation. Prominent singers Daler Mehndi and Bab Sehgal also offered prayers at Vishaal Deewan and called upon the devotees to follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Devji, which are relevant even today. (INN)