STATE TIMES NEWS
POONCH: An impressive religious procession was taken out by the Sikh community members to mark the Prakash Utsav of 10th Guru of Sikh Panth, Guru Gobind Singh ji in Poonch here today.
The Nagar Kirtan was taken out to mark the occasion. Panj Piyare attired in traditional dress were leading the grand procession carrying swords in hands.
The religious procession started from Gurdwara Singh Sabha and it culminated at the same place after passing through Main Market Quila Bazaar, Bus Stand, College Ground, Nakhanwali Road and Parade Ground.
A large number of women and children from the community also participated in the programme. They were shouting religious slogans in the praise of great Guru and the Sikh Panth. During the procession Shabad Kirtan was also performed by the Ragi Jathas. On the way, the people had also arranged eatables/ drinks stall for the Sangat.
President DGPC Narinder Singh and Secretary Rajinder Singh, in the end thanked the DDC Poonch, SSP, XEn PDD, XEn PHE and others who helped making the Nagar Kirtan a success.
NOWSHERA: In connection with celebration of Prakash Utsav of 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, an impressive Nagar Kirtan was taken out in Nowshera town in which thousands of devotees from all walks of life participated. MLA Nowshera Ravinder Raina who also participated in the procession, asked DDC Rajouri to declare 16th January, 2016 as holiday for the constituency on account of Gurpurab on the persuasion of District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Bhopinder Singh Tiger.
The Nagar Kirtan started from Gurudwara Chhati Padshai Nowshera which passed through the main markets and greeted by one and all. The Holy Guru Granth Sahib Ji was kept in a well decorated vehicle where Bhai Tarlok Singh Ji was in attendance. The vehicle was led by Panj Piyaras while Raagi Jathas including Dhadi Jatha of Bhai Satnam Singh explained the life history, contributions, number of wars against the cruel rulers and the sacrifices made by Guru Gobind Singh Ji for the sake of nation.
Meanwhile the traditional warfare of Sikhs (Gatka) was the centre of attraction in which three teams from different districts exhibited the martial art. The groups included Janbaz Gatka from Jammu, Baba Ajit Singh Gatka from Sunderbani and Baba Sunder Singh Gatka from Nowshera which took part and displayed their expertise. The Black Belt of Martial Art Zorawar Singh from Sunderbani displayed dangerous stunts of breaking bricks and crossing of speeding Bullet bike over his body which left the audience spell bound.
The people enroute established stalls of fruits, sweets, other eatables and tea for Sangat and paid their obeisance to take blessings of Holy Guru. The procession finally culminated back in the Gurdwara Chhati Patshai Nowshera.
President of Gurdwara Committee Baljit Singh thanked the MLA, district administration, police authorities, Beopar Mandal and the Sangat of Nowshera town for making the celebration a great success.
