Marriage anniversary of Guru Nanak celebrated

The 529th marriage anniversary of Guru Nanak was celebrated in this industrial town today with traditional fervour and gaitey.
A religious procession that was led by five "beloved ones" took off from Gurudwara Dehra Sahib (where the marriage ceremonies of Guru Nanak were solemnised) after performing the 'path' (prayer) of the sacred Guru Granth Sahib.
Devotees from all walks of life participated in the procession.
Flowers were showered over the palanquin where the holy book was placed.
A mock 'baraat' (marriage party) of Guru Nanak arrived in Batala from Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district late last night and was accorded a warm welcome by the devotees, a SGPC spokesman said.

The devotees chanted Gurbani while 'Gatka' (Sikh martial arts) was also performed during the procession.

The first Sikh Guru was married to Mata Sulakhni, daughter of Mul Chand, a Chona Khatri of Batala in 1487.
Sulakhani was the daughter of a revenue official but Guru Nanak refused to follow the marriage rituals dictated by a Brahaman of that era. He and Sulakhani took four rounds instead of the customary seven around the sacred fire.
A police party led by SSP Batala Diljinderjit Singh Dhillon presented a warm welcome to the marriage procession outside the police headquarters here.
The representatives of various social, religious, non-governmental organisations and political parties also took part in the procession, the spokesman said.