POONCH: Reverence and religious fervour marked the celebration of 350th Parkash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh at Poonch, the birthplace of Sikhism in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
The celebration was held under the aegis of Mahant Manjit Singh of Dera Nangali Sahib Poonch. The four communities including Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and Christians participated in the celebration with exemplary exuberance setting an example of unity and integrity in the border town. Hordes of devotees from Poonch, Jammu, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi participated in the celebration.
The nine days long religious programme was organised by Guru Ram Dass Sewa Society in which Nagar Kirtans started from different Gurdwaras including Sant Bhai Rocha Singh Purani Poonch, Gurdwara Peepal Wala, Gurdwara Khalsa Chowk, Gurdwara Village Deghwar, Gurdwara Mohalla Dungas, Gurdwara Dara Dulliyan and Gurdwara Sikh Student Federation reached Gurdwara Singh Sabha Poonch on different dates.
The main Nagar Kirtan started on Tuesday morning from Gurudwara Purani Poonch after Bhog of Sri Akhand Path Sahib. The holy Guru Granth Sahib was placed in flower-decked palanquin specifically framed for the occasion which was brought from Amritsar. Mahant Manjit Singh and Baba Kuldeep Singh were also present. Traditionally attired Panj Piyaras led the Palanquin from Purani Poonch to Dera Nangali Sahib. Stalls of sweets, fruits, drinks and other eatables were established at Naban by Saint Akhara, at Quila Bazaar by Baba Beeram Shah Ji Guru Gadi Lokesh Datta, by Sanatan Dharam Sabha, by RSS, by Uttam Medical Hall, by Royal Tour and Travel, by Dungas Mohalla Nath Temple and Budha Amarnath Committee.
The eminent Scholars like Giani Sahib Singh Markanda explained in detail the contribution of Guru Gobind Singh and his sacrifices during his 42 years of age. The Dhadi and Raagi Jathas of Bhai Bhopinder Singh from Amritsar, Bhai Harcharan Singh, Bhai Sartaj Singh, Bhai Surjit Singh, Bhai Rasmeet Singh and others recited Gurbani Kirtan. Gatka Parties from Amritsar and Jammu displayed martial Art (Gatka).
Prominent among those who participated include Commander 93 Inf Bde A.S Pandarkar, DDC Poonch Mohd Haroon Malik, ADC Gurvinderjeet Singh, SSP J. S Johar, Maqbool Kulli of Anjuman-e-Jafria, Satish Sassan President Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Shafeeq Baba, Advocate Mohinder Piyasa, Advocate Sanjay Raina, VHP District President Nishu Gupta, Advocate Mohd Zaman, Surinder Singh, Onkar Singh, Krishan Singh, Capt Sohan Singh and the members of Seva Society who include Chairman Anmol Singh, President Surjit Singh, Secretary Rajinder Singh, Jasbir Singh and others.
The Nagar Kirtan concluded at Dera Nangali Sahib where the whole sangat was served with Guru Ka Langar. The vote of thanks was presented by Balbir Singh.