Srinagar: Gurpurab, the birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Devji, was celebrated on Friday with religious fervour and enthusiasm across Kashmir.
The functions were held at Shaheed Bunga Gurduwara, Barzulla and Gurdwara Chatti Padshahi at Rainawari.
A large number of Sikhs from across Kashmir joined the special prayers.
A function was also held at Baramulla Chatipadshahi where hundreds of Sikhs offered special prayers. Special ‘langars’ (free kitchens) were also organized for the devotees in various Gurdwaras.
Celebrations were also held in other local Gurdwaras including in Jawahar Nagar, Allochibagh, Barzulla, Tral, Rangreth and Pattan.
The Gurdwaras were beautifully decorated to mark the occasion. Members of Sikh community also illuminated their houses in the evening.
A large number of Muslims and Pandits greeted the Sikh brethren here on the occasion.
All Parties Hurriyat Conference also extended greetings to the Sikh brethren on the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary.
In a statement, it said that it regrets that the appeal for deferring the strike could not be deferred as requested by our Sikh brethren due to the severity of events felt by all people of Kashmir.
Chairman, All Party Sikh Coordination Committee, Jagmohan Singh Raina, said that Kashmir had a special place for Guru Nanak Ji as the revered founder of the Sikh faith had visited the valley. “There are various testimonies and artefacts which confirm the historical lineage with Gurdwaras in Leh, Bijbehara and also at Ramnagar,” he said.
Raina said that Guru Nanak Ji preached against caste system and carried out a campaign against the suppression that was going on at various places at that time.
Guru Nanak Sahib, the founder of Sikhism was born on 15 April 1469 at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the district of Shekhupura in Pakistan, now Nanakana Sahib. (KNT)
