Kerala - Kochi   

Guru Arjan Dev remembered

Staff Reporter

SOLEMN OCCASION: Devotees gathered at a gurudwara in Kochi to commemorate the 400th Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Arjan Dev. - Photo: Mahesh Harilal

KOCHI: Sikhs in Kochi gathered at the Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha on Sunday to remember Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth guru, and the first guru to become a martyr.

His martyrdom for spreading the message of love to mankind was commemorated by singing religious hymns or kirtans for a week. The community gathered together every day singing kirtans in the evening and partaking in the langar (community lunch) prepared by the members of the community.

The management of the Gurudwara had arranged for Kirtan Jatta by a group from Raipur from Tuesday. The teachings of the Gurus were highlighted at the function held on Sunday. The programme concluded with a langar. Guru Arjan Dev, who compiled the Adi Granth or he Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture comprising the teachings of the Sikh gurus as well as Hindu and Muslim saints, was tortured to death.

His popularity as a saint who influenced people across religious barriers became his nemesis. After the death of Emperor Akbar, who was said to have praised the compilation of the Guru Granth Sahib, Guru Arjan Dev was imprisoned. He was also responsible for building the Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple at Amritsar, which is considered the highest spiritual seat of the Sikhs.

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