APSCC extends greetings on 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Srinagar, Nov 14: All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Thursday extended greetings to people on the occasion of 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Nanak was an Indian spiritual teacher, mystic, and poet who is believed to be the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.

In a statement, APSCC Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina, said that people should follow teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji so that his message of love and peace percolates down.

Raina said that ultimate peace can be achieved if people follow the path set out by Guru Nanak Dev ji. He said Kashmir held a special place for Guru Nanak ji since he visited the valley and Leh Ladakh along with his companions which left an indomitable impact on Kashmir.

There are various testimonies and artifacts which confirm the historical lineage with Gurudwara in Leh, Bijbehara, Ramnagar as well as many other parts of the union territory which are associated with his visit. Guru Nank Dev ji visited Kashmir in 1518 AD, said an official statement from the APSCC.

He stayed at Bijbehara and Avantipur. He happened to meet Pandit Brahm Das who was highly impressed with the way of life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji which led him to embrace Sikhism, the beginning of the Sikhism in the valley, read the handout.

Universal brotherhood and secularism entailed from his companionship with Bala; a Hindu and Mardana; a Muslim. A musical instrument ‘rabaab’ that was always carried by Mardana, is preserved at Shernangla in Ramnagar Jammu, the handout read.

Guru Nanak Dev ji preached against caste systems and suppression. He covered thousands of miles on foot, addressing and preaching people about humanity, it said.