THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
LEICESTER- On a glorious sunny day Sikhs from all over Leicestershire and other cities of United Kingdom converged to the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, 9 Holy Bones in the City Centre on Sunday 27th April for the annual Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan which took place in the presence of Sikh Scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and was led by the Panj Pyare {five Beloved}.
In celebration of the 326TH Khalsa Sajna Divas, continuous readings of Sikh Scripture Sri Guru Granth Sahib which has been recognised as a living Guru by the Supreme Court of India started on Friday 25th April at 11.00 am and were completed on Sunday 27th April at 10.00 am. A baptism ceremony took place on Saturday 26th April at 2.00 pm for those who wished to join the Khalsa Panth by taking Khanday Battay da Amrit from the Panj Pyare {Five Beloved}.
Everyone was very smartly dressed for the Nagar Kirtan and started arriving at the Gurdwara from 10.00 am. There were elderly, disabled, toddlers, youth. Men and women of all ages. A few TV Channels had arrived to do recordings to be shown in the coming days.
The Nagar Kirtan started at 12.45 after the Head Priest at the Gurdwara Gurdial Singh did the Ardas and five Jakaray of Bollay So Nihaal Sat Sri Akal.
ROUTE OF NAGAR KIRTAN
Guru Nanak Gurdwara
Great Central Street
Vaughan way
St. Nicholas Circle
Peacock Lane
Southgates
Friar Lane
Berridge Street
Millstone Lane
Bowling Green Street
Bishop Street
Granby Street
Gallowtree Gate
The Clock Tower
East Gates
High Street
St. Nicholas Circle
Vaughan Way
Guru Nanak Gurdwara
The participation of Sikh Motorcycle Club members in the procession added to the celebrations and there were also Sikh Martial Gatka performances. Ballads were sung by Giani Jaswinder Singh Sidhu Dhadi Jatha who came especially from Punjab for this year’s Khalsa Sajna Diwas celebrations, Jaswinder Singh Ji explained that it was on Vaisakhi day of 1699 that tenth Sikh Guru Sarbansdani Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa Panth at Kesgharr Sahib, Sri Anand Pur Sahib Ji, Punjab and eliminated all castes by giving Amrit to the five beloved Panj Pyare and then took Amrit from the five beloved thus being the only Guru known as Appay Guru Appay Chela as well as Sarbansdani who sacrificed all his family for the Khalsa Panth.
He also stressed the utmost importance of learning Maa Boli Punjabi by everyone so that we can learn from the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Event organiser Amarjit Singh Bahia commented “The Leicester Nagar Kirtan has taken place for 4 decades since the mid-80s. It is great to see this tradition carry on for nearly 40 years. The Nagar Kirtan promotes our historic tradition, and we will continue to promote and pass this on to the future generations. The Sikh community is truly embraced by the love of city of Leicester. “
President of the Gurdwara, Ajmer Singh Basra congratulated everyone on the 326th Khalsa Sajna Divav and thanked all the volunteers for their continuous efforts.
Report : Tarlochan Singh Virk
Co-ordinator
Punjabi listeners club
