Actress Neetu Chandra prays at Takth Sri Harmandir Sahib in Patna on Thursday. Picture by Sachin

Patna, Nov. 10: The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak was celebrated today at Takth Shri Harmandir Sahib Gurdwara in the state capital with poets and singers performing bhajans, kirtans and poetry.

Gurbani expert L.M. Upadhyay also spoke at length on the journeys of the first Sikh guru, especially in Bihar.

Upadhay told The Telegraph: “The land on which this gurdwara is constructed was presented by Patna Sahib resident Shailesh Rai Jouhari to Guru Nanak in 1505 AD. For this, Guru Nanak had gifted him a saropa (a mark of distinguished service).”

He added: “More than 20,000 people took part in the festival across the country.”

Takht Sahib general-secretary Mahendra Pal Singh Dhillon welcomed all the devotees. Gyani Iqbal Singh conducted the prayers. The devotees also enjoyed the fare prepared by the langar of the gurdwara.

Nepal resident Indra Pal Singh, who came to Patna Sahib today, told The Telegraph: “This is the second time I have come here with my family.”

Devotees also took out a sobha yatra on the occasion of Prakas Utsav.

Upadhyay said: “A Sikh camp will be organised tomorrow at Sonepur to propagate the philosophy of Guru Nanak. Sikh literature will be distributed for free at the fair.”

Motihari fest

Devotees celebrated the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in Motihari with much fanfare.

They took out a prabhat ferri followed by a number of events that culminated in preaching and Guru-ka-langar, at Gurdwara Shri Singh Sabha.

President of the Satyapal Singh Chhabra said: “Motihari is one of the rare towns where a temple, mosque and gurdwara exist in such a close proximity.”

He, however, added that the large number of meat shops in the area hurt the feelings of the devotees. He said: “The inconvenience faced by the residents of the dwellers of Punjabi Colony for the past four decades has been brought to the notice of the local authorities. But we have got nothing except assurance.”