Impressive ‘Shobha Yatra’ taken out on Gurpurab eve in Jammu

Grand Shobha Yatra being taken out by Sikh community in connection with the Parkash Purb of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj in Jammu on Tuesday. -Excelsior/ Rakesh
Grand Shobha Yatra being taken out by Sikh community in connection with the Parkash Purb of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj in Jammu on Tuesday. -Excelsior/ Rakesh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 3: In connection with the Prakash Purb of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, an impressive Shobha Yatra/Nagar Kirtan was taken out by the members of Sikh community and others with great religious fervour and enthusiasm in Jammu City today.
The ‘Nagar Kirtan’ started from Gurdwara Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Chand Nagar (Lower Gumat) at around 10.30 am and after passing through Vivekanand Chowk, Maharaja Gulab Singh Marg, Dogra Chowk, Tawi Bridge, Bikram Chowk, Asia Crossing, Gandhinagar, Green Belt, Gole Market and Shivaji Chowk, finally culminated at Gurdwara Nanak Nagar at around 6.30 pm.
District Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DGPC) Jammu organised the Shobha Yatra and was assisted by various Sikh organisations. Guru Granth Sahib was kept on a highly decorated chariot while Panj Piyare of Great Guru, holding swords in hands and attired uniquely, were leading the grand religious procession. Several religious preachers/ Ragi Jathas from J&K and outside were accompanying the Nagar Kirtan besides a large number of women and children. Many school students also joined the religious procession.
The great attraction of the Shobha yatra was the highly decorated chariot of great Guru and Gatka/ Martial art being displayed by the Sikh youth holding swords. The Sikh Sangat was reciting Shabd Kirtan and raising loud slogans in the praise of Great Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj, who sacrificed himself and his entire family for the cause of religion and humanity. Main Gurpurab function will be held on January 5 at Chand Nagar Gurdwara.
En-route Shobha Yatra, people from different communities, welcomed devotees and offered eatables and sweet water (Sharbat). Stalls of eatables and water for devotees had been established by the people, showing unique example of secular India. Many prominent political, social and religious leaders from various communities also joined/ welcomed Nagar Kirtan being taken out under the leadership of DGPC Jammu president, S Ranjit Singh Tohra, vice president S Balvinder Singh and general secretary S Surjit Singh besides others.
Besides them, several religious personalities like Bhai Manjeet Singh Paheed Dhadi Jatha Ludhiana, Bhai Avtar Singh Tari- Panthak Kavi Amritsar, Bhai Harbhajan Singh Nahal Sangeetkar from Jallandhar, Bhai Balbir Singh Kamal from Dasuya (PB), Bhai Harpreet Singh Makhu-Sikh Parcharak, Bhai Satinder Singh – Parcharak Guru Granth Sahib Study Circle and others recited Gurvani Path and addressed the grand religious gathering.
The district administration Jammu had made elaborate security and other arrangements for the smooth movement of Nagar Kirtan. The vehicular traffic from Yatra route had been diverted to the other alternative routes. Even then massive traffic jams were witnessed at various crossings and City routes. The people remained trapped in traffic jams for hours.
Similar Nagar Kirtan was taken out in Kathua town by the DGPC Kathua and Sikh Sangat of the area in connection with the Parkash Purb of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj. DC Kathua Rahul Panday and SSP, RC Kotwal also joined the religious procession. Shobha Yatra started from Gurdwara Singh Sabha under the leadership of DGPC Kathua chief, Charanjeet Singh and passed through various routes and finally culminated at Gurdwara.