Celebrations for the 352nd Prakash Parv (birth anniversary) of Guru Gobind Singh commenced on Friday at the Takht Harmandir Patna Sahib here, the place of birth of the tenth Sikh Guru.
The day was also marked by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar laying the foundation stone at Rajgir, about 110 kms from here, of a Gurudwara in the memory of the first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev whose 550th Prakash Parv is being observed this year.
Sikh pilgrims from war and wide thronged the Takht Harmandir Patna Sahib to pay their obeisance to Guru Gobind Singh besides taking out colourful processions on the adjoining streets which was marked by singing of hymns, playing of devotional tunes by musical bands and display of acrobatics and prowess with the kripan (sword) by Nihang warrior-monks.
The three-day festivities would conclude on January 13 and a huge tent city has been erected near the Kangan Ghat along the river Ganges where 5,000 pilgrims can stay.
Sikh devotees from across the world had visited the city during the 350th Prakash Parv held a couple of years ago which was also attended by top dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Meanwhile, laying the foundation stone of a Gurudwara at Sheetal Kund in Rajgir, which Guru Nanak Dev is said to have visited five centuries ago Nitish Kumar announced that his government has declared a state holiday on November 12 when Nanak Jayanti will be celebrated.
Expressing his reverence for the founders of the Sikh sect, Kumar recited many anecdotes from the lives of Guru Nanak Dev and his disciple Jaitamal, who lived close to the Ganges in Patna.
He also highlighted the various measures being taken by his government to develop the spots in Bihar which were closely related to Sikh history.
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