Prominent personalities including lakhs of Sangat participated with devotion
Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, December 27: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today carried out and decorated a huge Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) during the Shaheedi Jorh Mela (martyrdom congregation) to commemorate the martyrdom of younger sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh, and Baba Fateh Singh and his mother Mata Gujri Ji.
In the Nagar Kirtan organised with the support of Sikh jathebandis, religious sabha societies, and the Sangat, head granthi of Sri Harmandar Sahib Giani Jagtar Singh, Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh, SGPC President S. Harjinder Singh Dhami, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Harmandar Ji Patna Sahib Giani Ranjit Singh Gauhar-E-Maskeen, head of Shiromani Panth Akali Buddha Dal Baba Balbir Singh, head of Dal Baba Bidhi Chand Baba Avtar Singh Sursingh, Baba Nagar Singh on behalf of Baba Nihal Singh Harian Velan, Baba Sukhdev Singh from Damdami Taksal and a large number of prominent personalities participated in the Nagar Kirtan and expressed their devotion to the sahibzadas. On this occasion, lakhs of Sangat reached the holy land of Sri Fatehgarh Sahib to participate in the Nagar Kirtan.
Kirtan of Asa Ki Vaar was done before the Nagar Kirtan at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and head granthi Bhai Harpal Singh shared the history about the lives of Mata Gujri Ji and sahibzadas. Following the recitation of JapuJi Sahib Gurbani in the congregation, Bhai Harpal Singh offered the ardas (prayer) and the holy hukamnama was recited by additional head granthi Giani Jagtar Singh Ludhiana.
On this occasion, Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and SGPC President S. Harjinder Singh offered Siropaos (robes of honour) to the panj piaras (five beloved ones) and Nishanchi Singhs (those who carry Sikh flag). A large number of students from different schools and Gatka institutions presented their talent of Sikh martial arts to express devotion to the sahibzadas. The Nagar Kirtan was welcomed warmly by the Sangat and sabha societies on its route and different langars were also arranged.
During the religious congregation at the closing ceremony of the Nagar Kirtan at Gurdwara Sri Jyoti Saroop Sahib, prominent raagi jathas connected the Sangat with Gurbani Kirtan. On this occasion, Giani Jagtar Singh recited the Sohela Sahib Gurbani, and the final ardas was offered by Bhai Harpal Singh.
Those present in the Nagar Kirtan included SGPC general secretary S. Karnail Singh Panjoli, SGPC executive committee members S. Sarwan Singh Kular and Baba Gurpreet Singh, SGPC members S. Ravinder Singh Khalsa, S. Avtar Singh, S. Satwinder Singh Tohra, Bibi Kuldeep Kaur, and S. Harpal Singh Jallah, SGPC secretary S. Mahinder Singh Ahli, additional secretary S. Sukhdev Singh Bhurakohna, S. Partap Singh and others.
Sikhs should take inspiration from lives of their great martyrs: S. Harjinder Singh Dhami
Sikh qaum should strive for qaumi unity under guidance from its traditions, customs, and heritage: Giani Harpreet Singh
Speaking on the occasion of closing ceremony of the Nagar Kirtan, SGPC President S. Harjinder Singh Dhami shared his views with the Sangat and said that the martyrdoms of sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, and Mata Gujri Ji are guidance for the Sikh community.
“It is the duty of entire Sikh qaum (community) that they take inspiration from their great martyrs. The sacrifices of the martyrs show the community the way to be firm in faith by setting the example of courage even in times of crisis. Today, massive attacks are being made on the Sikh community and there are attempts to interfere in our Panthic managements which the community will have to tackle with unity”, said S. Harjinder Singh Dhami. He also thanked the prominent personalities and the Sangat that participated in the martyrdom congregation.
While addressing the Sangat on this occasion, Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said, “The enemies have always given pain to the Sikh qaum, the Sikhs were cut apart with saws, boiled in vessels, skulls were removed, but the Sikhs never felt the pain. Our enemies know that the Sikhs love their Guru, shrines, and traditions more than their lives, therefore, they now want to give pain to Sikh qaum by attacking our Gurdwaras and Sri Guru Granth Sahib. A section of media is also working for character assassination of Sikh.”
“The Sikh qaum has inherited an incomparable heritage and a long list of martyrs in the history of the community is present. There is a need to connect today’s youth with their history and I appeal to the Sikh qaum to have a firm hold on Gurbani, history, maryada (code of conduct), traditions, and heritage. I urge the community to strive for the qaumi unity under the guidance of our traditions, customs and heritage”, said Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh.
On this occasion, while serving on the stage SGPC general secretary S. Karnail Singh Panjoli shared the emotional moments of martyrdom of younger sahibzadas and Mata Gujri Ji with the Sangat and remembered the other martyrs who were martyred for serving them.