Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Jan 7: The 348th Prakash Divas of 10th Sikh Guru Guru Gobind Singh Ji was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across the State today.
In this connection functions were held in all the Gurudwaras of the State but the main function was held at Gurudwara Yadgar Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj at Chand Nagar here in which thousands of devout Sikhs drawn from different parts of Jammu city participated. All the Gurudwaras were fully decorated and illuminated giving them a festive look.
The function at Gurudwara Yadgar was organized by District Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (DGPC) Jammu. On the occasion Ragi Jathas from Delhi, Jammu and other places recited Gurbani.
The Ragi Jatha from Delhi was led by Bhai Manpreet Singh.
Bhai Manpreet Singh, Pracharak from Poonch and Bhai Harsimran Singh, Pracharak from Jammu threw light on Sikh history and golden realism of Sikhism.
They also highlighted the life, sacrifices and teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. They said Guru sacrificed his mother, father, children and also made a supreme sacrifice himself for the sake and cause of humanity, truth and upholding of dharma. They said it is however unfortunate that on his birthday celebration there is no holiday under Negotiable Instrument Act.
A resolution was also passed on the occasion with a voice vote demanding that the holiday be declared under the Negotiable Instrument Act on the Prakash Divas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
It demanded that DGPC elections be held immediately, installation of statue of Baba Banda Bahadur Singh the first Khalsa ruler at Kunjwani Chowk, permanent rehabilitation of PoK refugees who are mostly Sikhs, the road from Bikram Chowk to Railway Station be named as Guru Gobind Singh road, a chair be established in University of Jammu on his name, Punjabi should be taught in schools by posting Punjabi teachers, Minority Commission be constituted in the State on pattern of other States, two percent quota be reserved for Sikh children in professional colleges of the State and removal of workshops from the road adjoining Gurudwara Yadgar Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
The Gurudwara was fully decorated and illuminated on the occasion. The devotees were served with prashad and Guru Ka Langer.
The devotees had also installed the stalls at Dogra Chowk, Jewel Chowk and other places serving Prashad to people.
Another function was held at Digiana Ashram, Jammu where a large number of devotees participated. The Ragi Pracharaks, Thadi Jatha also recited Gurbani in praise of Guru Ji. The preachers threw light on the life and teachings of Guru Ji. They said besides a great warrior, poet and philosopher Guru Gobind Singh laid the strong foundations of a society and stood for brotherhood, peace and prosperity of India.
All the Ragis and Pracharaks threw light on the life and supreme sacrifices of Guru Ji and his family and the crusade launched by him for promotion of peace and brotherhood.
Mahant Manjit Singh Ji of Dera Nangali Sahib Poonch also threw light on the life and teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji on the occasion.
The leaders of various Sikh organisations also spoke on the occasion and demanded holding of DGPC elections which have become over due now.
The people of other communities were seen greeting their Sikh brethren on the occasion.
The reports coming from other districts said that the Prakash Diwas was celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour at Rajouri, Kathua, Poonch, Sunderbani, Udhampur, Ramban, Batote etc.
At Poonch the functions in connection with celebration of Prakash Diwas were held in all the Gurudwaras of the city including Purani Poonch, Khalsa Chowk, Pipalwala Gurudwara and other Gurudwaras. A function was also organized by Sikh Students Federation on the occasion in the city.
The main function was held in Gurudwaras Singh Sabha, Poonch where thousands of people from all walks of life participated.
The Ragi Jathas from Jammu and Punjab were specially invited on the occasion.
Mahant Manjeet Singh of Dera Nangali Sahib, Poonch had specially come from Jammu to attend the function. A langer was organized by Harinder Singh where thousands of people were served the prashad.
In the evening the city was illuminated with candle lights.
The Prakash Diwas was also celebrated in Gurudwara Singh Sabha Thanda Pani in which thousands of devotees took part.
At Kathua the main function was held in Gurudwara Main Chowk Kathua in which Sikh Sangat from adjoining areas took part. The preachers spoke on the life and teachings of Guru Ji Maharaj.
Earlier Nagar Kirtan was taken out in the town.
Reports coming from Kashmir said that Gurupurab, the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, was today celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety in the Kashmir Valley and Ladakh region also.
Braving chilly conditions, members of the Sikh community visited Gurudwaras since early this morning.
However, the main congregation was held at Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi on the foothill of Hari Parbhat in the downtown where the shrine of Chakreshwar is also located.
Reports of similar celebrations were also received from other parts of the Valley.
Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits were seen greeting their Sikh brethren on the occasion.
Gurupurab was also celebrated at Leh and Kargil in Ladakh region where the minimum temperature was minus 17.4 degree Celsius and minus 19 degree respectively.
All Party Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina said Guruji was an apostle of peace, compassion and love, and gave the message of universal brotherhood and a just society.
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