HYDERABAD: Recitation of Gurubani Keertans by renowned Ragi Jathas (preachers), a huge colourful Nagar Keertan (holy procession), exhilarating and breathtaking display of ‘Gatka’ skills by Sikh youths, serving Guru ka Langar (free food) to all devotees, marked the 317th ‘Khalsa Panth Foundation Day Celebrations’, popularly known as ‘Vaisakhi’ festival.
The festival was celebrated on a grand scale by the members of Sikh community. The major attraction was the celebrations at Sri Guru Gobind Singhji playgrounds, Ameerpet, organised under the aegis of the Prabhandak Committee Gurudwara Saheb Ameerpet, where over 25,000 devotees participated in the Vishaal Deewan (mass congregation).
The congregation began at 11 am and continued upto 4.30 pm and was marked by the recitations of Holy Gurbani keertans and Kathas (holy hymns) by the renowned Ragi Jathas (religious preachers) who were specially invited from various parts of the country for the important occasion.
Bhai Gurupreet Singh (Shimla), Bhai Veer Singh and other reputed Ragi Jathas rendered Gurbani keertans which stressed on imbibing the higher values of life in our day to day to living. The preachers called upon the devotees to follow the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib ji which stands for national integration, communal harmony, brotherhood and peace to whole humanity. After the culmination of the congregation, the traditional Guru-ka-Langar (free community kitchen) prepared specially by the devotees was served to all the devotees.
Colourful Nagar Keertan
Later in the evening, a mass colourful Nagar Keertan (holy procession) was taken out from Gurudwara Saheb Ameerpet and passed through the main corridors of Greenlands, Begumpet, Punjagutta and returned to Gurudwara Saheb Ameerpet in the evening.
Guru Granth Sahebji was carried on a beautifully decorated vehicle along with five ‘Nishaan Saheban’ during the procession. Shabad keertans were rendered by the Keerthani jathas of men, women and youth. Panj Pyaras (five beloved ones) and Sikh youths displayed Gatka, an extraordinary display of exercises with swords and sharp weapons which was performed by Shaheed Baba Deep Singh from Amroha of Uttar Pradesh.
Baisakhi Keertan Darbar will be held between 9 pm and 1.30 am on today at Guru Gobind Singhji Sports Playground, Ameerpet in which reputed Ragi Jathas will render the Shabad Keertan.