news details |
|
|
| City witnesses impressive 'Nagar Kirtan' | | | Munish Gupta
JAMMU, Jan 3: Religious fervour gripped the city as an impressive and unprecedented ‘Nagar Kirtan’ procession was taken out this morning on the eve of the birthday of tenth Guru Shri Guru Gobind Singhji. Braving severe cold and hostile weather, thousands of devotees participated in the ‘Nagar Kirtan’ procession considered as an unprecedented by the people of city keeping in view the number of participants.
It was heartening to see kids dressed as ‘Panj Payaras’ with swords in their hands leading different Kirtan parties and ‘Jathas’ amidst chanting of ‘Jo Boley So Nehal, Satya Shri Akal’. These kids as well as Gatka parties drew maximum attention of the passers-by.
The impressive Nagar Kirtan procession, organised by the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC) in collaboration with State Gurdwara Parbandhak Board (SGPB), started from historical Gurudwara Bibi Chand Kour at Chand Nagar and culminated at Gurudwara Nanak Nagar where religious preachers addressed the Sangat.
Strength of the devotees in the procession could be guaged from the fact that ‘Nagar Kirtan’ took atleast five hours to cover a distance of five kilometers from Chand Nagar to Nanak Nagar.
‘Jo Boley So Nehal, Sat Shri Akal’ repeatedly rented in the air as Sangat shouted slogans in praise of Guru Gobind Singhji who was founder of the ‘Khalsa Panth’.
Route of the procession from Chand Nagar to Nanak Nagar was specially decorated with flags, buntings and banners. Welcome gates were also erected by various business, social and religious organizations to felicitate the devotees participating in the procession. Route of the Nagar Kirtan was flooded with flags. Various organisations had installed stalls to provide ‘Parshad’ to the participants.
The procession was also accompanied by National Conference Patron Dr. Farooq Abdullah who on the occasion congratulated all the sikh community and also said that
said that life and teaching of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji shows the way for the realisation of the ultimate truth and for establishing an enlightened social order based on the values of universal love, compassion and righteousness.
Since morning Sangat was seen thronging the historical Gurdwara of Bibi Chand Kour. Jathas from different areas of Jammu district had converged along with Gatka parties at the venue before beginning of the Nagar Kirtan. As soon as the Nagar Kirtan came out of the Gurdwara, devotees resorted to chanting ‘Jo Boley So Nehal- Sat Shri Akal’. Youth riding on horses were seen leading the ‘Nagar Kirtan’ followed by various Kirtan parties and march-past by students of different schools.
Some vehicles, carrying holy Shri Guru Granth Sahib, were specially decorated with flowers. Ragies sitting in these vehicles were seen singing ‘Shabad’ in praise of Shri Guru Gobind Singh. Every vehicle in the procession was followed by Kirtan parties pre-dominated by women and youth.
SGPB President , T S Wazir said that students of Various schools participated in the ‘Nagar Kirtan’ besides local ‘Jathas’. He said that Kirtan Jathas from Nanak Nagar, Gadigarh, Simbal Camp, Rehari, Gole Gujral, Bhour Camp, Digiana Ashram, Digiana, Rehari and other areas participated in the procession.
A large number of schools children carrying flags in their hands and banners with slogans were moving ahead of Sangat in long queues on both sides of the road. Sikh youth and even middle men clad in traditional combat dress of the old times were seen displaying their feats. A Palki was kept in a decorated vehicle with flowers where Guru Granth Sahib was placed. People in large number other communities were seen waiting along the road and also on tall buildings just to have the glimpse of the Panj Pyaras and the procession. The drum beaters, religious slogans and Kirtan and Jhankies etc were the other attractions for the general public during the procession.
District administration had made elaborate security arrangements. The traffic was diverted to different routes. Even then massive traffic jams were witnessed at several points including Jewel Chowk, Canal Road, Gumat, Gandhinagar, Old city areas, Bus Stand and Jogi Gate Road. The general public had to face tough time during this process. Senior police officials were also seen moving along the procession. Additional deployment of force was witnessed at crucial city points. Some cops were seen standing on the roof tops to keep a strict vigil during procession.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
