Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 5: An impressive `Shobha Yatra’ was taken out by the Sikh Sangat on the eve of `Prakash Utsav’ ( birth anniversary) of 10th Guru Gobind Singh ji in the winter capital city here today.
Like every year, this time also thousands of members from Sikh community took out a grand Nagar-Kirtan (Shobha Yatra) from the historic Chand Nagar Gurdwara, near Lower Gumat in old Jammu city. Since early morning, a large number of devotees thronged Gurdwara and Samad of Bibi Chand Kour at Chand Nagar. This religious place was highly decorated by the management committee of the Gurdwara and other Sikh bodies.
With the cooperation and coordination from various Sikh religious and social organizations including DGPC Jammu, this grand Shobha Yatra is taken out by the Sikh Sangat from this place every year on the eve of Gurpurab which falls on January 7. Not only from Jammu, but the members of Sikh community from R S Pura, Miran Sahib, Bishnah, Simbal, Gole Gujral, Vijaypur, Samba, Ramgarh, Akhnoor, Nowshera and other parts also participated in this Nagar-Kirtan.
Under the supervision and guidance of Sikh high priests (Granthis), the Holy Guru Granth Sahib is placed on the highly decorated open vehicle, known as chariot (Rath), fitted with loud speakers. It was entirely decorated with multi-colour flowers procured from various parts of the country.
The high priests were chanting `Shabad’ (shlokas) from Gurbani. Sikh Sangat was wining songs in the praise of great Guru Gobind Singh ji who sacrificed his life and even that of his brave children for the cause of his people while fighting against the Mughals.
Several poets and Sikh spiritual persons including one from other community, Zameer Ali Zamir hailig from Maler Kotla spoke on the life, achievements and sacrifices of great Sikh Guru and his sons. Prominent among others included Paramjit Singh, Har Simran Singh, Balbir Singh, Harmeet Singh, and Gurmeet Singh.
The Shobha Yatra commenced from Chand Nagar Gurdwara at round 10.30 am and after passing through Lower Gumat, Dogra Chowk, Tawi bridge, Bikram Chowk, Asia Crossing and Gandhinagar, it finally culminated at Nanak Nagar Gurdwara. A large number of people were moving on foot with the Shobha Yatra Rath. `Panj Payaras’ attired in special dress, carrying swords were leading this Shobha Yatra. Many Sikh youth, displayed their martial art skills while accompanying the yatra. It took around five hours to cover around 3-4 kms distance to the Shobha Yatra.
The District Administration had made elaborate security arrangements for the smooth and peaceful conduct of annual Shobha Yatra. Traffic had been diverted to different other routes but despite this massive traffic jams were witnessed in the city as the Traffic cops failed to regulate the traffic properly.
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