New Delhi: The Sikhs in the country and abroad celebrated 'Guru Purab ', the birth anniversary of their first guru, Guru Nanak Dev, on Monday with devotion and prayed for
world peace. The occasion was celebrated at gurudwaras. Guru Purab which falls on full moon day is regarded as the most auspicious occasion by the Sikhs. "We prayed that Kashmir remains united and the Muslims and the Hindus stay together as brothers," said Charanjeet Singh, a devotee at a gurudwaras in Srinagar. The ceremonies everywhere included singing of Kirtans (hymns) and Langars (mass serving of free meals). Born in 1469 in the small village of Talwandi near Lahore, Guru Nanak gave the world the message of unity of mankind - a world without distinction of caste or creed. He rejected both idol worship and meaningless rituals, preaching the ideals of liberty, fraternity and equality. Troubled by the frequent conflicts between Hindu and Muslim communities, he tried to work out a synthesis of the two religions. His mission gained popularity among the masses and eventually evolved into Sikh religion. Sikhs all over the world
practice what Guru Nanak preached to this very day, reaffirming their faith in
the teachings of their founder.
A religious procession "Nagar Kirtan" was taken out as part of the festivities related
to the birth anniversary celebrations in Delhi and Amrtisar cities of north India on Saturday. Meanwhile, hundreds of Sikh devotees visited Nankana Sahib in Pakistan to
celebrate the day in spite of the Indian government's travel advisory warning them against travelling to Pakistan because of the 'deteriorating
law and order situation'. The pilgrims said it was once in a life time opportunity
to visit the holy birthplace of Guru Nanak Devji, and they did not wanted to miss
the opportunity. "Though the law and order situation in Pakistan is not ideal
but since this place is very sacred for us we are not afraid of coming here,"
said Jageer Singh, a member of Shurmani Gurdwara Parbhandik Committee (SGPC).
"I am lucky to get a chance to visit the place where my Guru was born. I may not
get this opportunity next time. Visiting Gurdwara Janam Asthan is a dream of every
Sikh in the world," said another visitor, Sorang Singh.
In California, over a lakh Sikh from across the United States
took part in the 30th annual Sikh Parade at Yuba City on Sunday.
A nearly five-mile religious parade was taken out to mark the tercentenary celebrations
of Guruship of Guru Granth Sa. Many US Congressmen and representatives of the Governor's office also attended the parade.
