Neha Gandhi in New Delhi
Amid colorful lights and glowing diyas, the auspicious Guru Nanak Jayanti festival was celebrated with traditional fervor all over the country on Sunday. Thousands of devotees paid their obeisance and offered prayers to observe the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev with great enthusiasm. The festival falls on Kartik Poornima.
Since early morning, devotees lined up at the holy shrine of Bangla sahib Gurdwara in New Delhi and took a holy dip in the sacred pond of the Temple before paying obeisance and afterwards reading the holy scripture of Guru Granth Sahib.
The shrine of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib wore a festive look and the grand white building with the golden dome was decorated with colourful lights and lamps all around. Mr Parvinder Singh, a businessman talking to Newsblaze said, “For past many years, I have been coming to this place with my family for seeking blessings from waheguruji on this auspicious day. This place provides me immense energy. This place has proved significant in getting rid of worries and sufferings.”
The celebrations usually commence with Prabhat Pheris. The early morning processions begin at the Gurdwaras and proceed around the localities singing hymns. On the grand festival, devotees sing hymns in the early morning from Sikh scriptures including Asa-di-Var followed by poems and sermons to relive the significant accounts and activities from the Guru’s life symbolically in his praise.
Noticeably, not only Sikhs but a huge number of people from different religions paid obeisance and lit candles in the Gurdwara. Ms.Jennifer, a tourist said, “I just love this place. Whenever I visit India, I come to this place. It is a cocoon of peace for all visitors, irrespective of their religion.”
In honour of Guru Nanak Dev, a free community meal, known as Langar was served to all, irrespective of caste, class or creed. Mr. Gurpreet singh, a retired employee said, “I love to serve food here. The calm environment and chants of waheguruji all around gave me immense satisfaction. I want to devote my whole life in worship of wahe Guruji.”
Apart from the traditional celebrations, people share the joy of this festival through text messages to their dear ones and greet each other by exchanging sweets.
Neha Gandhi is a Newsblaze New Delhi correspondent.
