The third and last day of founder of Sikhism Baba Guru Nanak’s 554th birth anniversary celebrations are underway in Nankana Sahib on Monday.
In celebration of Baba Guru Nanak's birthday, a grand Nagar Kirtan will be taken out from Gurdwara Janam Asthan today.
The birth anniversary of the Sikhs’ first spiritual leader is being attended by numerous men, women, and children from foreign countries, as well as local Sikhs and Hindus. On November 25, around 3,000 Indian Sikhs crossed the border to reach Pakistan for the religious occasion.
The three-day celebrations began on November 25 with the Akhand Path ritual.
The Sikh yatrees have lauded the government and people of Pakistan for the warmth and hospitality. They say this treatment compels them to visit the country every year.
Meanwhile, Monday has been declared a public holiday across Nankana Sahib district. The deputy commissioner says there will be a fireworks display at midnight. He added that arrangements had been completed for the central Nagar Kirtan ritual of Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary celebrations.
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Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi felicitated the Sikh community on Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary.
He said the Sikh guru was a proponent of love, peace, and brotherhood. He was the best example of religious tolerance and interfaith harmony. Baba Guru Nanak spread the message of love, equality, and compassion to humanity, Naqvi added.
On Sunday, the visiting Sikh pilgrims performed their religious rituals of Akhand Path, Shabad Kirtan, Ashnan and others at Gurdwara Janam Asthan. They also performed the ritual of Matha Teki at Gurdwara Sacha Sauda.
Pilgrims from Pakistan, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, India and other countries expressed happiness at visiting Pakistan for the celebrations. On the second day of the anniversary on Sunday, the yatrees performed their religious rituals, such as Akhand Path, Shabad Kirtan, and Ashnan and paid a pilgrimage at the gurdwaras.
The Sikh guests from India said they were extremely happy to have reached Nankana Sahib. They will perform the Matha Teki ritual at Gurdwara Sacha Sauda today. The pilgrims were transported to the gurdwara by buses under special police protection.
The pilgrims thanked the government of Pakistan for the arrangements. The Nankana district administration welcomed the Sikh pilgrims coming from abroad. The government has made special arrangements for the accommodation, food (langar) and transport of the Sikh pilgrims.
