Siliguri : As part of the 350th martyrdom anniversary commemorations of the ninth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) continued its Shaheedi Nagar Kirtan Yatra on Friday.
The rocession, which commenced from Gurdwara Dhobri Sahib, today departed from Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Siliguri, West Bengal, for its next stop at Malda.
Prior to the departure, a religious congregation was held where ragis recited Gurbani kirtan, and Giani Balwinder Singh, granthi from Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, shared Guru Sahibโs life and sacrifices with the sangat. SGPC members including Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, S. Surjit Singh Bhittewad, Bhai Ajaib Singh Abhiyasi, and S. Jagsir Singh Mangeana, along with prominent personalities and large numbers of devotees, were present.
The Government of West Bengal extended support, with Dr. Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, member of the West Bengal Minority Commission, overseeing arrangements and accompanying the Nagar Kirtan throughout the state.
Adding to the spiritual fervor, a bus displaying historic weapons of the Gurus and large digital screens playing documentaries on sacred Sikh sites drew immense interest from devotees. Along the route, Sikh sangat and people of other faiths welcomed the procession with floral showers, rumala sahibs, and siropao to honor Panj Pyare and other dignitaries.
The Nagar Kirtan will pass through Vidhan Nagar, Kishanganj, Purnia, and Laxmipur before halting overnight at Malda. On August 23, it will continue its journey towards Kolkata.
Senior SGPC officials including Additional Secretary S. Bijay Singh, Assistant Secretary S. Balwinder Singh Khairabad, S. Ram Singh Rathore (Mumbai), Incharge S. Davinder Singh Khushipur, Manager S. Satinder Singh, Bhai Jagdev Singh, S. Jagmohan Singh, S. Sandeep Singh, S. Bhupinder Singh, S. Sarabjit Singh, S. Parmjit Singh Chhabra, Bhai Lakhwinder Singh (Kishanganj), Jathedar Pyara Singh, and S. Satnam Singh were also present.