Jaswant Singh Gandam
India Post News Service
Ahead of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev – the founder of Sikh religion – to be held on November 12 this year at Sultanpur Lodhi, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Cmmittee (SGPC) on January 7 flagged off a ‘Shabad Guru Yatra’, a kind of Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) from historic Gurdwara Ber Sahib for further spreading message and philosophy of ‘Shabad Guru’.
The Yatra was flagged off by Giani Harpreet Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takhat – the highest spiritual cum temporal Sikh seat, and SGPC President Gobid Singh Longowal.
The Shabad Guru Yatra, led by ‘Panj Pyaras’(five beloved ones) under the patronage of holy Guru Granth Sahib placed on a flower-bedecked vehicle, would pass through different parts of Punjab and culminate at Gurdwara Ber Sahib on April 17th. A special bus displaying the relics of Sikh Gurus accompanies it.
Giani Harpreet Singh, while addressing the devotees, said that the motive of the Yatra was to spread teachings of Sikh Gurus among people of Punjab and to spread the word about the grand event being organized to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
He said that in the present age of materialism, there was need to preach and practice Guru Nanak’s message of ‘Kirat Karo, Wand Shako tey Naam Japo’(work with hands, share with others and recite His name).
SGPC President Gobind Singh Longowal said that detailed program was being chalked out for 550th birth anniversary during which lakhs of devotees would land at Sultanpur Lodhi from all over India and abroad.
Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh offered ‘ardas’(prayer) before the start of the Yatra.
Besides Heads of various Sikh bodies, including Sant Samaj, Gurmat Taksals, Nihang organizations, Sikh Sampardais, the former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, environmentalist Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal, Phagwara-Sultanpur Lodhi SGPC member Sarwan Singh Kular, Sultanpur Lodhi MLA Navtej Singh Cheema were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, the state government is also all geared up for the event. The government will give a facelift to the whole city. A heritage village called ‘Pind Babe Nanak Da’ will be established at Sultanpur Lodhi. A one of a kind museum will also be set up on 100 acres of land in Maseetan village at a cost of Rs 200 crore. The museum will showcase the life of Guru Nanak Dev.
