Prakash Purab celebrated with zeal in J-K

SRINAGAR — Prakash Purab, which marks the birth anniversary of Guru Hargobind Ji—the sixth Guru of Sikhs, was celebrated by the Sikh community with religious fervour and zeal across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.

According to the news agency KNO, the devotees visited Gurdwaras in large numbers throughout the day, especially in the morning where special prayers were held today to mark the occasion.

The largest congregation was witnessed at ChattiPadshahi Gurudwara at Rainawari where special arrangements were made by the administration as well as the Sikh community for the devotees.

The celebrations were also held at Gurdwaras in Amira Kadal, Jawahar Nagar, Allochibagh, Barzulla, Rangreth, Pulwama, Baramulla and other places. All the religious places of Sikhs were decorated and Langer and other arrangements were made for the devotees.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also paid obeisance at the Gurdwara ChattiPadshahi here and participated in the special prayers.

Srinagar Mayor, Junaid Azim Mattu also visited the Gurdwara here where he extended greetings to the Sikh community on the auspicious occasion and highlighted the contribution of the community from time to time in Jammu & Kashmir.

He said that the Sikh community is an integral part of Kashmir and Kashmiriyat, their historic as well as present contribution is massive towards Kashmir. “I congratulate the Sikh community for organizing a massive congregational prayer today at the Gurdwara,” he said.

He also said that Sikhs have also presented a memorandum of demand before the administration and “I hope that long pending demands of Sikhs will be fulfilled by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration.”

Pertinently, Chairman of United Sikh Progressive Forum, S Baldev Singh Raina, in a statement has said that Guru Hargobind Ji was the sixth Nanak or sixth of 10 Gurus of the Sikh religion whose birthday is celebrated as Prakash. “The process of militarisation was introduced in Sikhism by Guru Hargobind Ji,” Raina said.

Underlining the message of oneness of humanity and compassion towards all propagated by Guru Hargobind Ji, Raina emphasized the significance of his teachings and hoped that these will be an inspiration for all.

Raina also urged the people to follow in the footsteps of Guru Hargobind Ji and strengthen the spirit of harmony and unity in society. “Have a goal and work towards its completion and success. Do not let any hardship, no adversity impact your goal,” he said.

Pertinently, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Director General of Police (DGP) and others had extended greetings to the Sik community on the auspicious occasion of Prakash Purab.