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In Guru Nanak's memory

Prayers, jathas mark birthday across the country

MASS EVENT: Devotees at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Tuesday on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. — Photo: PTI

New Delhi: Early-morning processions by devotees chanting hymns wound through streets in different parts of the country as Sikhs marked the birth anniversary of their faith's founder, Guru Nanak, on Tuesday.

In Amritsar, people thronged the Harmandir Sahib, a part of the spectacular Golden Temple complex, from early in the morning to offer prayers.

In Delhi, which has a considerable population of Sikhs, gurdwaras decorated with flowers, flags and posters depicting various aspects of Sikhism saw congregations offering prayers and reciting keertans and hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, and attending katha, or religious lectures, as part of the celebrations.

Continuous, 48-hour readings from beginning to end of the Sikh scriptures concluded early in the morning in traditional ceremonies.

Accompanied by the Panj Pyaras, representing the armed guard instituted by the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, festive processions called Prabhat Pheris moved around localities early in the morning across Delhi in honour of the Guru.

Thousands of Sikhs and people from other faiths thronged gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Morning processions were ubiquitous in the region. Shabad kirtans were held and the Guru ka Langar was offered to devotees who thronged gurdwaras, which were tastefully decorated.

Thousands thronged the Pahali Patshahi gurdwara in Kurukshetra in Haryana. At Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, the Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara was the focus, and Sikhs and people from other communities made a beeline there to participate in two-day-long religious ceremonies. Reports of celebrations were received also from other parts.

Meanwhile, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) displayed rare items dating back to the 18th century in the Golden Temple.

Born in 1469, Guru Nanak denounced the caste system and taught that everyone is equal, regardless of caste, gender or religion. — PTI

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In Guru Nanak's memory

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