Gurupurab celebrated with religious fervour, gaiety in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 23: “Gurupurab”, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, was on Friday celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in the Kashmir valley, where devotees throng Gurdwaras since early this morning despite sub zero temperature and dense fog.

Meanwhile, Governor Satya Pal Malik, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh and All Party Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) greeted the people on the occasion and prayed for peace and prosperity.

The members of the Sikh community, including women and children, in colourful dresses visited Gurdwaras to join the special prayers in the Kashmir valley and Ladakh region.

However, the main congregation was held at Gurdwara Chatipadshahi on the foothill of Kohi-e-Maran, where the shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom and a Hindu temple are located in the down town area of Rainawari.

Devotees from different parts of the summer capital, Srinagar, were visiting the Gurdwara since early this morning despite minus one degree minimum temperature. The management of the Gurdwara has arranged langar for the devotees.

Similar congregations were also held at other Gurdwaras in the city, including Baghat Barzulla, Jawahar Nagar, Mehjoor Nagar and Chanapora.

Reports of Gurupurab celebrations were also received from Baramulla, Tral, Pulwama and Singpora.

Braving chill large number of devotees joined special prayers at Gurdwaras in different parts of Ladakh region, including Leh and Kargil.

In a message of greetings, Governor described Guru Nanak Devji as an apostle of peace and tolerance whose teachings would continue to inspire generations, leading them to the path of righteousness and brotherhood. He said that Guruji strove all his life for promoting social justice and equality and to bring about peace and harmony among the communities.

The Governor hoped that the celebration of this auspicious event would contribute towards strengthening brotherhood and communal harmony and would be a harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity in the state.

Advisor to the Governor BB Vyas has greeted people of the state on the occasion and said the values underlying the teachings of the great Guru should guide our endeavours to establish a just and egalitarian society. He has prayed for the well-being of the people of the state.

DGP Singh has greeted the people of the state and all ranks of JKP, besides their families and families of martyrs on the auspicious occasion of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday.

He expressed hope that this auspicious occasion would usher the state towards peace, progress and prosperity, strengthen the bonds of communal harmony and brotherhood which have been the hallmark of the glorious heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. The DGP has prayed for well-being of the people of the state.

APSCC has conveyed greetings to the Sikh community on the occasion of Gurupurab being celebrated today and said that people should follow teachings of Guru Nanak Ji.

APSCC Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said that people should follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Ji. Raina said the message of love as propagated by the Guru Nanak Ji would percolate to the grassroots level provided once the people following the teachings of Guruji in right earnest.

“Kashmir had a special place for Guru Nanak Ji since he visited the valley along with his companions and the same left an indomitable impact on Kashmir. There are various testimonies and artifacts which confirm the historical lineage with Gurdwaras in Leh, Bijbehara and also at Ramnagar,” said APSCC Chairman.

Raina said that Guruji preached against caste system and carried out a campaign against the suppression that was going on at various places at that time. He said the preaching of Guruji was effective and the same helped a lot in the eradication of social evils from the society as a whole.