Guru Nanak procession from Pak welcomed in city

Nagpur: To celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Gurunanak Saheb, the Sikh community started a huge kirtan-yatra from Nankana Sahib, near Lahore, Pakistan, the land where Guru Nanak Saheb was born.

The kirtan yatra, which began on August 1, reached Nagpur on September 14. The International Nagar Kirtan organized this yatra from Pakistan and it reached India via the Attari-Wagah border.

The procession crossed the zero line to enter the Indian side around 3.30pm with the holy saroop of Guru Granth Sahib carried by the Golden Temple head, Granthi Giani Jagtar Singh, on his head. The additional Granthi of the Golden Temple received the holy saroop for continuity of the procession that will go to 17 Indian states before culminating at Sultanpur Lodhi, the historic town in Kapurthala district, where Guru Nanak spent 14 years.

The procession reached Nagpur around 10pm at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Kamptee Road, on September 14. Devotees and followers of Sikhism participated in the yatra with great zeal and enthusiasm. The procession had more than 35-40 vehicles, which carried the devotees along with the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ and Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s sword, footwear, spear and other weapons. Followers of Guru Nanak from Nankana Sahib, Sindh, Peshawar, Lahore and other parts of Pakistan were part of the procession.

“The devotees reached Nagpur around 10pm and stayed at the Gurudwara. They were offered langar (meal). The kirtan was performed at the gurdwara. Devotees were filled with immense gratitude and happiness after reaching every destination,” said Sukhvir Singh, a devotee.

The procession headed to Chandrapur at 10 in the morning after passing Bhandara. The kirtan yatra will return to Pakistan on November 5 to celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 12. The Sikh community from Nagpur gathered at the gurdwara at night to participate in the kirtan. “This procession is a great initiative which spreads the message of love, unity and peace. The kirtan performed in the morning and night in the gurdwara was melodious and soothing,” said Gulraj Singh.