Procession held to mark 406th ceremony of installation of Guru Granth Sahib

AMRITSAR - A colourful ‘Nagar Kirtan’ procession was taken out by Sikhs here, to mark the 406th ceremony of the installation of their holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib on Wednesday.

Five priests, also known as ‘Panj Pyare’, led the colourful procession.

“The fifth Guru (Arjan Dev), our supreme Guru Nanak Devji…for the welfare of the human beings, he collected all the sayings of the guru and compiled them into a scripture, and that scripture was installed at the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) and ordered that all should follow the scripture,” said Manpreet Singh, a devotee.

Devotees carrying brooms swept the roads before the procession. They believe that voluntary service amounts to God’s service, and would help them rid their sins.

The procession passed through various bazaars of Amritsar before concluding at Akal Takht, the primary seat of Sikh religious authority and the central altar for Sikh assembly, at the Golden Temple.

A large number of devotees converged for the procession to pay their obeisance to the Guru Granth Sahib that was carried in a flower-bedecked palanquin.

“Like every year, this year also I have come with the entire congregation to celebrate the installation ceremony. We take the holy Guru Granth Sahib to the Harmandir Sahib gurudwara every year on this occasion. I have come here to witness the love amongst the congregation. I am very happy and I wish them all the luck at this occasion,” said Ravinder Singh, a devotee. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)