Sikhs take out colourful 'Nagar Keertan'

Hyderabad, Nov 13 (INN): Exhilarating display of Gatka skills, a Sikh martial art form, rendering of Shabad keertans, carrying of Guru Granth Sahibji and Nishan Sahebans were part of the "Nagar Keertan'' (Holy Procession) taken out from Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad as part of the Prakash Utsav of 547th birthday celebrations of first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikh religion.

The Prakash Utsav (Birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Devji falls on November 14.

As part of the ongoing celebrations, holy procession was taken out from Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad on Saturday and proceeded via Natraj Theatre, Clock Tower, BATA, Kingsway, Monda Market, Alpha Hotel and reached Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad in the evening.

Prabhandak Committee Presidents S. Baldev Singh Bagga (GSS) and S. Balbir Singh Bagga (GSGSS), S Avtar Singh Khanuja (GSS) and S Gurdeep Singh Saluja (GSGSS) said that the "Nagar Keertan'' was marked with carrying of Sri Guru Granth Sahibji, (revered scripture of Sikhs on a beautifully decorated vehicle, followed by "Nishaan Sahebans'' (religious flag bearers) and demonstration of Gatka skills by youths from Hyderabad. Shabad keertans were rendered by the Keerthani Jathas.

The Sikh youths hailing from Sri Guru Hargobind Saheb Ranjita Akhara (Amritsar), Kalgidhar Dashmesh Jatha and other Gatka Jathas displayed their exhilarating ``GATKA'' skills (Sikh martial art forms) by performing extraordinary exercise with their blunt weapons, Kirpans, swords skills and other skills with breathtaking performance attracting the passerbys all along the procession routes, Kada Prasad, tea and snacks were supplied to the devotees and passers by all along the routes.

As the main Birthday Celebrations OF Guru Nanak Devji falls on November 14, a "Vishaal Deewan" (Mass Congregation) will be held at Nizam's Coolege Grounds, Basheerbagh from 10.30 am to 4 pm on November 14 (Monday), where over 35,000 to 40,000 Sikh Devotees and other community faiths will converge at the programme.

Cabinet Ministers from Telanagana and MLAs will attend the celebrations and take the blessings of Guru Granth Sahibji. The event will be marked by recitations of Gurbani Keertans (Holy Hymns) by reputed Ragi Jathas (religious preachers) who are being specially invited from various parts of the country to render shabad keertans.

Bhai Gurdev SIngh Singhji of Patiala, Bhai Balpreet Singhji of Ludhiana, Hazuri Ragi Jathas, Bhai Hari SInghji, Bhai Pritam Singh, Bhai Jagdev 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.

A Night Keertan Darbar will be organised on November 13 (Sunday) at Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad from 7.30 pm to 10 pm.

Another Night Keertan Darbar will be organised at Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh sabha, Afzalgunj on November 14 (Monday) from 9 pm to 2 am in which above famous Ragi Jathas will recite Gurubani keertans.