Religious fervour marks Gurpurab in Pb, Har and Chandigarh

Devotees in large numbers thronged Gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh today to pay their obeisance to the founder and first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev on his birth anniversary
People, from different faiths, reached gurdwaras to offer early morning prayers on Gurpurab and take part in 'Langars' and 'Shabad Kirtans', besides taking dips in the holy 'Sarovars (ponds)'.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar was decorated and lit up as religious fervour marked Gurpurab celebrations.
In Punjab devotees thronged gurdwaras in major cities of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Mohali, Anandpur Sahib, and Bathinda.
The scene was similar in Haryana, as devotees formed beelines at gurdwaras in Kurukshetra, Ambala, Sirsa, Karnal and Yamunanagar.

Meanwhile, more than 2,000 Sikh devotees have gone to Pakistan to observe the birth anniversary Guru Nanak Dev at the Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Hasanabdal town in Pakistan's Punjab, Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) officials said.

The Sikh guru was born at Nankana Sahib near Lahore, now in Pakistan, in 1469 and spent 14 years of his early life at Sultanpur Lodhi in Punjab's Kapurthala district.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal extended his warm wishes to the people across the globe on the occasion of Parkash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev.
In his message, the Chief Minister appealed people to imbibe the spirit of service and humility as preached by the Great Guru and strive hard for carving out a prosperous and egalitarian society by following the his precious legacy.

Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar greeted people on Gurpurab.
The Chief Minister described Guru Nanak Dev as an "apostle of peace and tolerance" whose teachings would continue to inspire generations.
"Guru Nanak Dev strived all his life to promote social justice and equality in the society," Khattar said.
He hoped this occasion would further strengthen amity and secular traditions in Haryana.