Sikhs celebrate Prakash Utsav

The city’s Sikh community celebrated the day on the following day so that more people could participate in the function.

Sikhs singing kirtans to observe the 408th anniversary of Guru Granth Sahib at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha at Thevara in Kochi on Sunday. Photo: H.Vibhu

The Sikh community in the city celebrated the 408 anniversary of the publication of the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred text of the Sikhs, on Sunday.

The Prakash Utsav, as it is called, is celebrated every year on September 1 to mark the publishing of the teachings of the Sikh gurus and the saints of various communities in the form of hymns and sayings that continue to give the message of love and service to the society.

The city’s Sikh community celebrated the day on the following day so that more people could participate in the function.

Compiled by the fifth Guru Arjan Dev, the Adi Granth was first placed for worship in 1604 at the Harminder Sahib. The tenth Guru Gobind Singh elevated the scripture to the status of a Guru.

Kirtans

At the Thevara Gurudwara, the celebrations started with children’s kirtan followed by the leaders of the community here who sang the kirtans.

People from various quarters — the floating population in the Navy and Army — besides the resident community in the city participated in the function.

About 250 to 300 people participated in the celebrations that concluded with the community lunch Guru ka langar.