Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH/ REASI, Apr 13: Thousands of devotees from J&K and outside the State, including Punjab, Harayana and Delhi today thronged historic Dera Nangali Sahib in Poonch and Dera Baba Banda Bahadur in Reasi on Baisakhi festival.
A grand religious programme is organised every year on this day at the Dera in district Poonch, in which thousands of people not only from Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Udhampur, Jammu, Samba, Kathua or Kashmir participate, but hundreds of devotees from Punjab, Harayana, Delhi also participate. A large Jatha of devotees from Nepal also attended the programme today.
This Baisakhi programme was organised under the supervision of head priest of the Dera, Mahant Manjeet Singh ji. Ragi Jathas and religious preachers from the State and also from Punjab, Delhi and UP participated in the programme. The religious preachers stressed the need of communal harmony and brotherhood in the region.
Brigade Commander Poonch, Brig AS Bhandarkar, Deputy Commissioner MH Malik, SSP Rajiv Pandey, ADC GJ Singh, former minister Rangil Singh and several other officials and prominent persons of the area including legislators attended the programme. A community Langar was also organised for the devotees. An elaborate arrangements had been made by the District Administration for the programme which was well coordinated by DGPC Poonch and other Sikh bodies.
Meanwhile, a Gurmat Samagam was organised on the occasion of Khalsa Sajna Diwas “Baisakhi” by the District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committe, Jammu at Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Chand Nagar, Jammu. In the religious function, a large number of devotees participated.
On the occasion Giani Jagtar Singh Ji – Head Granthi, Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Amritsar, Bhai Sahib Bhai Ranjeet Singh Ji – Head Granthi, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi, Ragi Jatha Bhai Rai Singh Ji – Hazoori Raghi, Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Amritsar and local Ragi Jathas participated and recited the Gurbani Kirtan and thrown light on the history of Khalsa Sajna Diwas ‘Baisakhi’
Former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah also greeted the Sangat on the occasion of Baisakhi. He also distributed the prizes to the winners of First Virasat-e-Khalsa -Gatka contest which was held on April 9, 2017 at Gurdwara Yadghar Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Chand Nagar.
The first prize has been won in tie by Khalsa Gatka Group and Nirpao Khalsa Gatka Akhara. Second prize has been won by Khalsa International Gatka Academy and third by Khalsa Gatka Force Akhara. Fourth prize went to Kalgidhar Adhatmik Gatka Akhara.
Chiarman State Gurdwara Parbandhak Board, TS Wazir congratulated the winners of Gatka Mukabla and presented the ‘Saropas’ to Giani Jagtar Singh Ji, Head Granthi, Sri Darbar Sahib and Bhai Sahib Bhai Ranjeet Singh Ji – Head Granthi, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi, Ragi Jatha Bhai Rai Singh Ji – Hazoori Raghi, Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Amritsar.
Prominent those who were present included Jathedar Mohinder Singh, Member DGPC, President Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) J&K, Kuldeep Singh, vice president, DGPC, Surinder Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Amrik Singh Roshan, KD Singh, Mandeep Singh
Bitta and Sukhdev Singh. A free Medical camp was organised by Ravinder Singh Rozy, Dr Taran Singh and others. A blood donation camp was organised by Sikh Youth Sewa Trust.
Meanwhile, inaugurating Baisakhi festival at Dera Baba Banda Bahadur, Minister of State for Finance and Planning, Ajay Nanda today said that the festivals and historical places have great heritage value and could become an attraction for tourists.
Nanda underscored the importance of reviving age old cultural celebrations at historical sites and said that such events unite people of all sections and spread message of universal brotherhood.
He said the Dera Baba Shrine has huge potential to attract pilgrim tourists who visit Shiv Khori and Katra throughout the year. He said such kind of festivals if duly publicized could play a pivotal role to attract the visitors to heritage sites like this.
Meanwhile, Sikh community celebrated Baisakhi with religious fervor and gaiety in Kashmir valley.
Members of Sikh community, including women and children in colourful dresses, visited the Gurdwaras in the valley, including in summer capital, to join special prayers. The main congregation was held at Gurdwara Chatipadshahi, where free langar was set up. Devotees also joined the Shabad Kirten. However, the members of the community had announced to celebrate the festival in a simple manner to express solidarity with the Muslims, following the recent killing of eight civilians in Kashmir.
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