Gurupurab celebrated with religious fervour across Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 27: Gurupurab was celebrated with religious fervour across Kashmir on Monday.

The religious places of the Sikh community were full of devotees as people thronged Gurduwars across the Valley.
Gurpurab is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji, the most celebrated Sikh Gurus and the founder of Sikhism.

The main function was held at Chatipadshahi Guruduwara near Kathi Darwaza in Srinagar where Kirtini Jathas (singers) and prominent Sikh clerics delivered lectures on the auspicious occasion.
On the occasion, langars (food stalls) were also installed to mark the day.

Chairman All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC), Jagmohan Singh Raina said that Guru Nanak Devji had a special connection with Kashmir as he had travelled across Kashmir and propagated the religion.
“There are many Gurudwaras in his name across Kashmir. Today, we celebrated the day with devotion like we celebrate every year. Houses in Kashmir and Gurduwaras were decorated to mark the day. Despite the bone-chilling cold, people visited the religious place with enthusiasm. This day gives the message of peace and unity, and given the economic condition of Kashmir. We can use the teachings of Guru Nanak Devji.

His message was that rich and poor should share their resources so that people can live in harmony and peace,” Raina said.

He said that, like every year, the Muslim community participated and provided all kinds of assistance during the festival.

Raina said that the Sikh community prayed for the brotherhood in Kashmir.

The celebrations were also held in other city Gurduwaras located at Amira Kadal, Jawahar Nagar, Allochi Bagh, Barzulla, and Rangreth while celebrations were also held across north and south Kashmir Gurduwaras
including Pulwama, Baramulla, Jammu, and Ladakh.

The devotees paid obeisance at various Gurdwaras throughout the day, offered special prayers, and prayed for the peace and prosperity of J&K.

“We spent the entire day in religious activities as we greeted our friends and families. This is an important occasion for our community and we are glad that everyone was able to participate and pray for peace and prosperity in Kashmir,” said a devotee.

Guru Nanak Devji, the founder of Sikhism was born on April 15, 1469, at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in Shekhupura district now Nanakana Sahib in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the district administration had made elaborate arrangements for the occasion.