Srinagar, Nov 30 (KNO): Gurupurab, the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was on Monday celebrated with religious fervor and gaiety across Jammu and Kashmir while the main function in the Valley was held at Shaheed Bunga Gurdwara in Barzulla area here where thousands of devotees attended the special prayers today.
Amid pandemic, a large number of Sikh brethren following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent the deadly virus from spreading thronged the Gurdwaras from the wee hours of this morning and participated in the special prayers.
The functions on the occasion were organized almost at Gurdwara while unlike the previous years, the main function was held at Shaheed Bunga Gurdwara in Barzulla Baghat area.
The members from Sikh community told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the main function was not held this year at Chattipadshahi Gurdwara as the religious place is being renovated at present.
Special arrangements were put in place by the Sikh community at the Gurdwaras especially at Shaheed Bunga Gurdwara where Sikhs—both men as well women thronged since the wee hours and participated in special prayers today.
However, the devotees who thronged the Gurdwaras especially Shaheed Bunga Gurdwara today complained about in adequate facilities provided by the administration to facilitate their visit on the auspicious day.
“No security as well as the traffic arrangement was put in place by the authorities today in wake of the Gupurab,” a Jagmohan Singh Raina, a Sikh leader said.
Raina, who heads the Sikh group, All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC), said that no arrangements were made by the authorities today at the religious especially where the main function was held.
“The administration should have at least taken steps to regulate the traffic, but all in vain as the Sikh community was once again ignored as witnessed in the past,” he told KNO.
Pertinently, Guru Nanak Sahib (the founder of Sikhism) was born at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present district of Shekhupura in Pakistan, now Nanakana Sahib.
Special ‘langar’ were also organized for the devotees in Gurdwaras. Similar celebrations were also held in other local Gurdwaras including Jawahar Nagar, Allochibagh, Barzulla, Tral, Rangreth, Pattan and Baramulla and others.
Gurdwaras were beautifully decorated to mark the occasion. Sikh community had also illuminated their respective houses in evening.
Giving details about Guru Nanak Dev Ji, APSCC Chairman said that “Guru Ji had visited Jammu and Kashmir via Leh and they had two companions—One Hindu Balaji and one Muslim Marjana Ji. The Guru Nanak Ji were inclined to humanity and communal harmony.”
He said many of the Gurdwaras including one in Leh Pathar Sahab, one in Bijbehara in South Kashmir have been constructed on the remembrance of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, adding that although the Guru Nanak Ji spent most of the time in Pakistan, but they are revered in Jammu and Kashmir as it was only after their visit here that Sikhism was founded here, adding that the day is observed to remember and commemorate the birthday and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, his Advisors, many politicians and others greeted Sikhs on this occasion—(KNO)