Amritsar:
A massive procession was carried out by members of the Sikh community on Tuesday on the eve of 544th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.
The 'Nagar Kirtan' or the religious procession, organized by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), passed through various streets of the city before concluding at the famous Golden Temple where the Ardas (prayers) were performed.
More than 20,000 students, teachers and staff from various institutions under the Khalsa College Governing Council (KCGC) participated in the procession chanting the 'Gurbani Shabads'.
The major attraction during the march was the performance of 'Gatka' or the Sikh martial art by the college students.
Bystanders also got to witness showering of rose-petals from a helicopter, a first-time novelty in the history of the Nagar Kirtan which has been held every year since 1912.
SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar and KCGC secretary Rajindermohan Singh Chhina said Guru Nanak's message of universal brotherhood and peace was most relevant in today's strife-torn world.
On the occasion of the Guru Nanak's birth anniversary on Wednesday, thousands of devotees are expected to pay obeisance in the sanctum sanctorum of Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple. The langar or the community kitchen at the Sikh shrine has made elaborate arrangements to feed more than four lakh devotees.
Heavy security arrangements have also been made on the periphery of the Golden Temple to prevent any untoward incidents.