Amritsar: Thousands of devotees on Saturday took part in a religious procession in the holy city to mark the 531st birth anniversary of Guru Amar Das, the third master of the Sikhs. The Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) was led by "Punj Pyaras" (the five Sikh beloved) commenced from Gurdwara Lohgarh Sahib and is to conclude at Village Basarke. "Whosoever comes with deep devotion, Guru Amar Das fulfils his or her wishes. I invite all the devotees to come and participate with religious fervour," said Surjit Singh, President Sukhmani Sahib Society. Angrez Singh, another devotee, said that Nagar Kirtan which started from Gurudwara Lohgarh will halt on many gurudwaras before it reaches the gurudwara at Basarke, the birthplace of Guru Amar Das. The occasion is marked as 'Parkash Purav" of Guru Amar Das Sahib. Born in circa 1479, at village Basarke about 13 kilometres from Amritsar, Guru Amardas's birthday is celebrated on 9 Jeth as per Nanakshai calendar and May 23 as per Gregorian calendar. Guru Amar Das was declared "Guru" in 1552 when he was in his seventies. A heavily decorated bus with flowers, carried Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs, which was preceded by the Punj Piyaras (the five beloved). Ahead of the bus, devotees chanted hymns and also kept on cleaning the path in respect of the Punj Pyaras. Students of various schools also took part in the procession, and displayed Gatka or, the Sikh martial art. Guru Amar Das established new centres for propagating the message of Guru Nanak among people. Guru Amar Das, is said to have been against Sati (widow burning in pyre). Besides, he favoured widow remarriage and was against thec caste system. Guru Amar Das also started the tradition of Guru Ka Langar (community kitchen for religious purposes).
- May 23, 2009