Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (November 12, 2013): With the Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Parksh Gurpurb being just a week away, the Sikhs residing Visakhapatnam took out a ‘Nagar Kirtan’ on a grand scale on November 10, 2013. According to a detailed report published by ‘The Hindu’: [s]cores of Sikhs dressed in white with either orange or blue combination engrossed in a series of events at the Gurudwara Sadh Sangat.
“Teamwork was evident at the venue as hundreds of men, women and youngsters joined hands to organise the event with devotion. A group of people were immersed in offering prayers at the prayer hall while others were seen arranging and serving food at one corner. On one side, a team of men were busy cleaning the pile of leftover plates while on the other side; many were running around to spread a blue colored carpet to carry Guru Granth Sahib for the rally”, the report reads further.
The trailer was reportedly all set with a mini pandal specially arranged for the occasion. Amidst devotional hymns and devotees sweeping and sprinkling water all the way, the grand procession began at 2:15 p.m. from Gurudwara junction and passed through Seethammapeta, RTC complex, Jagadamba junction, Naval Coastal Battery, RK Beach Road, VUDA Park and Satyam junction before returning to Gurudwara.
According to Seva Singh, president of the Gurdwara Sadh Sangat, the tradition of Nagar Kirtan has been in practice for the last three decades. “Guru Nanak Dev ji was our first Guru. He was the leader who initiated the concept of ‘langar’ (free kitchen) that served the rich and the poor alike,” he explained.
“For us, orange signifies sacrifice and blue represents peace. And we pay respect to our first Guru participating in the procession wearing the right attire, reciting shabads and treating everybody equally. In doing so, we seek the blessings of Guru Nanak Dev ji who helped us to eliminate superstitious beliefs for good,” 82-year old Baldev Singh said.