Srinagar: The Sikh community of Kashmir Valley celebrated Guru Hargobind Singh Jayanti here on Wednesday to mark the birth anniversary of the sixth Sikh guru.
The Sikh devotees thronged the gurudwaras in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley to mark Guru Hargobind Singh’s birth anniversary.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited two gurudwaras – one in Srinagar and another in Pulwama – to join the celebrations with the Sikh community.
Devotees at Chatti Padhshahi Gurudwara in Rainawari highlighted the importance of the day. “Shakti ke bina bhakti nahin hai aur bhakti ke bina shakti nahin hai (without strength, one can’t be devoted, and without devotion, one can’t have strength),” Jagbeer Singh, a devotee, said.
He said Guru Hargobind Singh was skilled in several warfare techniques and had fought against cruelty of all kinds. The 6th Sikh guru came to Kashmir with emperor Jahangir, he added. There are 10 Sikh gurus in total.
The message of gurus is to connect with God and worship wholeheartedly, said Bhai Harbans Singh, head member of the gurdwara.
Guru Hargobind Singh prayed for the betterment and prosperity of all of mankind, Bhai Harbans Singh said, adding that he taught us to respect everyone without any bias.
“Guru Hargobind Singh came to Kashmir around 1616 and devoted himself to curing the people of Kashmir suffering from smallpox,” he said.
J B Singh, another devotee, said a large number of people come to gurudwara with devotion to celebrate the Sikh guru’s birth anniversary. “The message of this day is to promote brotherhood and harmony for the country,” he said. (With inputs from PTI)
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid obeisance to Sri Guru Hargobind-ji Maharaj on his Prakash Parv at Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi, Rainawari and Gurdwara Sri Shadimarg Sahib, Pulwama.
The LG extended his heartiest greetings to the people and prayed for peace, prosperity, happiness and well-being of one and all, an official press release said.
In his address on the occasion, the LG said Guru Hargobind Sahib-ji was an embodiment of sacrifice, social justice, compassion and universal brotherhood. His blessings continue to guide humanity on the path of peace and virtuous living, he added.
“Guru Hargobind Sahib always motivated the people to embrace social equality, social justice and compassion. His life and vision of inner and outer strength, unity, brotherhood and equality of all human beings is very relevant in today’s world,” the LG said.
“Our Gurus have taught us that the path to supreme realization, to godliness starts with surrendering to God and working for social and religious harmony in the society. They have always guided us for both inner and outer journey for holistic development,” the LG observed.
He called upon the people to join hands and work together towards building a society without discrimination and rise above narrow considerations to promote the ideals of social harmony, righteousness, truthfulness, fraternity and universalism.
“We should renew our commitment to these ideals on the occasion of Prakash Parv of Guru Hargobind Sahib, strengthen our resolve to create a just and humane society and work towards the collective goal of inclusive development and upliftment of the underprivileged,” the LG said.
Lauding the contribution of Sikh community in nation building, the LG said the administration is committed to provide all the necessary support to the community to realize their dreams and aspirations.
Junaid Azim Mattu, Mayor SMC; religious heads; members of Gurdwara Prabandhak Committees; prominent citizens; senior officials of police and civil administration; community elders and people from all walks of life gathered in large numbers to pay their obeisance to Sri Guru Hargobind Ji.
