AMRITSAR, Punjab—A large Nagar Kirtan was organized today with fathomless devotion and zeal from Sri Akal Takht Sahib for celebrating the 480th Birthday Anniversary of Guru Ram Das Sahib Ji, started with the blissful echo of a trumpet and ovation ‘Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal’. Decorated in the patronage of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and leadership of Five Beloved (Panj Piare), SGPC inaugurated this Nagar Kirtan with the help of Sikh Sangat after performing prayer (Ardas) at Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Holy scripture of Sri Guru Granth Sahib was gracefully seated in Golden Palanquin by Sikh Sangat while bringing it to Guru Ramdas Saran, where the Golden Palanquin was seated in Chariot decorated with flowers. Sewa of Whisk (Chaur ) was performed by Head Granthi of Sri Harmandir Sahib Singh Sahib Giani Jagtar Singh Ji. Students of various schools and colleges, bands, religious societies, taksals, nihang dals and gatka akharas participated while singing Holy Gurbani Shabads.
Rain of flower petals was laid by a special rirplane. Hundreds of Sikh devotees were doing sewa of cleaning the road in front of the Chariot containing the Golden Palanquin. Western Sikhs of Miri Piri Academy, Chheharta, were depicting their artistic skills of operating Khalsa Weaponry. As the Nagar Kirtan reached near Chowk Ghantaghar, torrential rain started, but the devotees covered the Palanquin with a tarpaulin.
Despite the torrential rain, the devotee’s zeal didn’t cool down and the Nagar Kirtan remained moving without any obstacle. Started from Sri Akal Takht Sahib, this Nagar Kirtan came back at 3:30 pm after going through Brahm Boota Market, Katra Ahluwalia, Chowk Ghantaghar, Bazaar Mai Sewa, Chawal Mandi, Dal Mandi, Chowk Dhab Basti Ram, Chowk Lachhmansar, Chowk Moni, Chowk Karodi, Chowk Baba Sahib, Chowk Paragdas and Guru Ramdas Saran.
Absence of SGPC members, Ministers and Administrating Officers Noted by Sikh Sangat
It is worth mentioning that where the local and foreign Sikh devotees participated in the Nagar Kirtan with great enthusiasm, all the SGPC members except one, Akali-BJP leaders, Senior Akali leaders, SGPC president, administrating officers residing in this holy city populated by Sri Guru Ram Das Ji, were absent at this Nagar Kirtan. SGPC officers and staff also attended the Nagar Kirtan only for a few minutes. Only Congress MLA Om Parkash Soni participated in the Nagar Kirtan.
Deepmala and Amrit Sanchaar will be held today
SGPC Secretary Manjit Singh stated that a beautiful exhibition of weapons will be organized at Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai Ji on the birthday of Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji from 8:30 am to 12:00 am. Religious ceremonies will be performed during the whole day at Diwan Hall, Sri Manji Sahib. A firework show will be performed after Rehras at Sri Harmandir Sahib. A special Poetic Function will be organized at Sri Manji Sahib from 8 pm tonight.