HYDERABAD: Recitations of Gurubani Keertans by Ragi Jathas (preachers), a colourful procession and exhilarating and breathtaking display of Gatka (martial arts) marked the 313th Khalsa Saajna Divas popularly known as Vaisakhi in the city on Friday. A good part of the festival of the Sikh community was organised at Sri Guru Gobind Singhji Play Grounds, Ameerpet under the aegis of the Prabhandak Committee Gurudwara Saheb and over 25,000 devotees participated in the Vishaal Deewan (mass congregation).
The congregation began at 11 a.m and continued up to 5.30 p.m. The Ragi Jathas, invited from different parts of the country, recited hymns and took the devotees down the memory lane back to the days of the great Sikh Gurus. In their message, the Ragi Jathas stressed the need to have harmony and follow the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib, which they pointed out, stands for national integration.
Following the congregation, the traditional Guru-ka-Langar (free community kitchen) prepared by devotees was served to all the participants. Later in the evening, a procession was taken out from the Gurudwara Saheb Ameerpet during which the traditional martial arts skills were performed by Kagidhar Dashmesh Jatha and Ranjeet Singhji Akhada.