Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: In connection with the 300th centenary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj, the Sikh community members organised an impressive Shobha Yatra in Poonch city today.
Thousands of people under the guidance of Mahant Manjit Singh ji of Dera Nangali Sahib paid special prayers at Gurdwara Sant Shri Rocha Singh Ji at Old Poonch and from there a large religious procession/ Shobha Yatra commenced. About 20 vehicles/ tractor trolleys were converted into impressive and highly decorated chariots with `Jhankies’ of great Gurus of the Sikh Panth depicting their life and sacrifices.
Thousands of devotees from nearly a dozen adjoining villages including Jhallas, Gulpur, Degwar etc thronged the history Gurdwara and joined the Naggar Kirtan. Ragis Jathas from Darbar Sahib Amritsar, Jallandhar and Delhi had also arrived to participate in this grand religious programme. From Delhi, a renowned preacher, Sahib Singh Markandey had been specially invited who delivered religious speech.
The District Administration had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of Shobha Yatra. The local Brigade Commander, DC Poonch, Additional SP and several other senior officers also joined the Naggar Kirtan, which covered about 8 kms long distance on foot. A large number of children and women also joined. They were raising slogans in the praise of Great Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Khalsa Panth. `Panj Piyaras’ clad in tradition dress, carrying naked swords in hands were leading the Shobha Yatra.
The traffic had been diverted to the other route by the Administration. The Sikh youth were seen displaying martial art (Gatka), which was main attraction during the Shobha Yatra. On the route Sanatan Dharam Sabha Poonch and several other organizations had raised stalls to provide drinks and eatables to the Sikh devotees, depicting unique example of secularism and brotherhood. It took more than five hours to the Shobha Yatra to reach Dera Nangali Sahib. A grand Guru -Ka- Langar was arranged by the Management Committee at the Dera.
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