Citizens get rare opportunity to see the handwritten saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahibji and other relics, along with rare weapons (shastars) used by Guru Gobind Singh ji
Hyderabad - "Guru Manyo Granth Jagriti Yatra", an all India journey to celebrating and commemorating the 300 years (tercentenary) of the installation (consecration) of Sri Guru Granth Sahibji (Guruta Gaddi Diwas) and Parlokgaman (heavenly abode) of tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh is in city. Thousands of devotees, especially Sikhs of twin cities paid obeisance to the religious procession ceremoniously carrying the Sikh holy book - Guru Granth Sahibji - and weapons of Tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh since it arrived in city on Tuesday evening. It is for the first time that rare 'shastras' (weapons) of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, said to be 300 years old, have been taken out from Hazoor Sahib for display. Today the huge procession started from the Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha, Ashok Bazaar and will proceed to NTR Stadium, Indira Park. The Yatra is in city till 1 August 2008.
The Jagriti Yatra with the huge procession carries with itself the handwritten saroop Sri Guru Granth Sahibji and other relics, along with rare weapons (shastars) used by Guru Gobind Singhji to fight against the oppressors in the country. Especially designed buses are carrying these articles from Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib, Nanded. Devotees were seen queuing up since morning along the Yatra’s route to catch a glimpse of the glass-encased carriage with the weapons. The Yatra today travelled through various localities such as Uppuguda, Goshamahal, Begum Bazar Chatri, Siddiamber Bazar, Koti, Sultan Bazaar, Kachiguda, Narayanguda, RTC X Roads and will reach NTR Stadium in the evening.
The colourful Yatra led by Police horses, the procession included ‘Kirtani Jathas’ and ‘Gatka’ (Sikh Martial form) performers. The `palki', which is the centre of all attraction is adorned with orchids and tastefully decorated. It has gold plated tombs on the top and a glass screen through which one could see the weapons of Guru Gobind Singh and the hand written Guru Granth Sahib. Meanwhile, people gathered all along the roads much before the yatra arrived so that they could be part of the celebrations. The Yatra was showered with flower petals by a private helicopter.
While the ladies sangat swept the divine pathway of the Yatra, the men folk formed a human chain to facilitate the smooth progress of the Yatra. The procession, more than a two kilometer long, is moving slowly to keep up with the frenzy of the devotees who wish to bow their heads before the palki and make offerings. An endless distribution of `prasad' was on throughout the day and `sewadars' did all they could to welcome the historic yatra.
Today evening, a Vishaal Deewan will be organised at the Stadium in which reputed Ragi Jathas will recite Shabad Keertans in the evening. A grand event will be organised at NTR stadium where "SHASTAR DE DARSHAN (EXHIBITION OF RARE WEAPONS OF SRI GURU GOBIND SINGHJI)" will be exhibited for the benefit of devotees. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy will be chief guest for the function at NTR Stadium. Several State Cabinet ministers will also participate. Later in the night, there will be display of fire works. The Yatra will move to Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha, Ashok Bazar for night halt.
The yatra has covered more than 150 cities of India across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and now Andhra Pradesh.
