CHANDIGARH, Punjab—To mark the 484th death anniversary of Bhai Mardana Ji, the apex Sikh body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhik Committee held a religious program at Diwan Hall Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib (situated in Sri Harmandir Sahib complex) on November 28.
Following the culmination of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, Hazoori Raagi Jatha of Bhai Jagdeep Singh delighted the program attendees with melodious Kirtan. Kathavachak Bhai Harmittar Singh Ji shed light on the life of Bhai Mardana Ji on this occasion.
Addressing the gathering on this occasion, the SGPC’s chief secretary Dr. Roop Singh said that Bhai Mardana Ji was the first person whom Guru Sahib had himself bestowed with the title of “Bhai”. He appealed the Sikh masses to take inspiration from the life values of Bhai Mardana Ji.
Bhai Mardana Ji (1459-1534), Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s longtime companion throughout his extensive journeys across the country and abroad, was born as the son of a Mirasi couple, Badra and Lakkho, of Talvandi Rai Bhoe, now Nankana Sahib, in the Sheikhupura district of Pakistan. The Mirasan were a caste of hereditary minstrels and genealogists. Bhai Mardana Ji was ten years older than Guru Sahib and was his childhood friend.
