Manurewa, Auckland: As a part of celebrations of Vaisakhi – birthday of Khalsa Panth, a grand Nagar Kirtan (street parade) was organised by Gurdwara Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar, Manurewa on Sunday, 17th April 2011.
Right from the early morning, a large number of devotees started assembling at the Nanaksar Gurdwara, Manurewa. The Holy Book, Guru Granth Sahib was placed on a palanquin and carried on a well decorated truck bedecked with flowers and bunties.
The Nagar Kirtan was led by the Panj Pyaras (the five beloved ones) dressed in saffron uniforms and carrying swords and Nishan Sahib in their hands passed through the roads of Manurewa. People stood along the route of procession in Manurewa to have darshan (glimpse) of Holy Guru Granth Sahib. A continuous recital of kirtan from Guru Granth by the Ragis and devotees added sanctity to the function.
The entire area wore a festive look. Thousands of devotees joined the procession and there was a sea of colours all around as the devotees wore traditional colourful dresses. Ahead of the procession, the devotees cleaned the roads with brooms and sprinkled water for the Panj Pyaras and the Guru Granth Sahib, followed by the procession.
After passing through the streets of Manurewa, the Nagar Kirtan culminated at Gurdwara Nanaksar, Manurewa and was followed by Kirtan Darbar at the Gurdwara. Young children performed Kirtan first followed by the Hajuri Jatha of Bhai Gurpreet Singh (Amritsar wale). Baba Hari Singh (Randhawe Wale) did katha on Amrit and its origin. Bhai Devinder Singh Sodhi (Ludhiana wale) also congratulated the congregation on this highly auspicious day. His melodious Kirtan was received very well by the Sangat. The celebrations concluded with serving of sumptuous Langar.
The sewadars of Gurdwara Nanaksar would like to thank all the volunteers, sponsors, contributors, sangat and above all Guru Granth Sahib ji for another successful programme to celebrate the “Birth of Khalsa”.