Grand Plans For Guru Nanak Jayanti

The Sikh community will be celebrating the 543rd birthday of the founder of the Sikh religion Sri Guru Nanak Devji across the state from 24 to 28 November.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha (GSS) General Secretary Inderjit Singh Tudaja said that the celebrations would be organised on a mammoth scale. To mark the important occasion, the Prabhandak Committees of Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad and Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha have joined hands to make the celebrations a grand success.

With regard to the same, two colourful "Nagar Keertans" (processions) will be taken out by the Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad on 24 November, and another on 26 November, by Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha at 3pm. On the birthday, which falls on November 28, a grand "Vishaal Deevan" (Mass Congregation) will be held at the NTR Stadium near Indira Park from 10am to 4:30pm.

Over 10,000 to 15,000 devotees will take part in the processions. The Guru Granth Sahebji (the revered holy scripture of the Sikhs) will be carried on a beautifully decorated vehicle along with "Nishaan Sahebans" (religious flags). The processions will be marked by the rendering of Shabad Keertans (holy hymns) by the Jatha Tera Jatha and Keerthani Jathas of men, women and youths. Besides that "Panj Pyaras" (five beloved ones) in their traditional attire will be the cynosure of the attraction all along the procession.

The major attraction of the processions will be the display of "Gatka," a famous Sikh martial-art form, and other breathtaking sword exercises, all along the procession by Dashmesh Kalgidhar Jatha. A special Gatka party from Punjab will also exhibit their skills.

The "Vishal Deevan" will be marked by recitations of Gurbani Keertans (holy hymns) by the reputed Ragi Jathas (religious preachers) who are being specially invited from Amristar, Ludhiana, Delhi and others parts of the country to render shabad keertans.

Bhai Dalbir Singh of Harmandir Sahibji (Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjap), Bhai Onkar Singhji of Una Saheb wale (Punjab), Bhai Jaswinder Singhji, Bhai Hari Singh Hazuri Ragi Jathas, Bhai Gurdit SIngh and other reputed Ragi Jathas will recite shabad keertans and Kathas and throw light on the teachings of Sikh gurus.

After the culmination of the congregation, Guru Ka Langar (free community kitchen) will be served to the devotees. Night Keertan Darbars will also be organised on November 27 at Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Afzalgunj from 7:30pm to 11pm. Another Night Keertan Darbar will be organised at Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad on November 28 (Wednesday) from 9pm to 2:30am in which above famous Ragi Jathas will recite Gurubani keertans.

Inderjit Singh Tudaja informed more than 50,000 Sikhs living in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad would celebrate the occasion in 22 Gurudwaras across the city.

GSS Secunderabad President S Baldev Singh Bagga, GSGSS Hyderabad President S Gurcharan Singh Bagga, Organising Committee Chairman Harminder Singh Bagga and other leaders of the Sikh community were also present in the press conference. (INN)