Jan. 2: Three-day-long celebrations will mark the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh in the city. Starting today, kirtans, langars and inter-faith discussions will be held at the Shahid Minar ground over three days.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee will join the celebrations on January 5 (Thursday), the birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh guru.

A special committee has been formed with members from all major gurdwaras of Bengal to organise the year-long celebrations.

The birth anniversary is being celebrated across India, with its epicentre in Patna, Guru Gobind Singh's birthplace. Metro takes stock of the celebrations in Calcutta:

What: 350th birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh

Where: Shahid Minar grounds

Organised by: 350th Year Sri Guru Gobind Singh-ji Prakash Utsav Committee

When: Tuesday to Thursday

Expected turnout: More than 1 lakh over three days

The birthday and hour: January 5 is the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh but the exact time of birth will be considered as 2.30am on January 6 (Friday). At 2.30am on Friday, devotees will throw flowers at Sri Guru Granth Sahibji, the holy book of the Sikhs that is also considered the community's living guru.

Highlights: Since Guru Gobind Singh was also a poet, a Kavi Durbar will be held on Wednesday evening where verses will be recited in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.

Ten poets of different faiths will recite their poetry. "Guru Gobind Singh-ji was a poet. So we thought of organising a Kavi Durbar as part of the celebrations," said Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, the honorary secretary of the organising committee.

Bandi Bir, Tagore's poem about the bravery of a Sikh hero who fought the Mughals, will be recited on the occasion.

The chief minister will release commemorative coins of two sizes on Thursday. The silver coins, weighing 10gm and 20gm, will have khanda, the Sikh symbol comprising three weapons and a circle, embossed on them.

Two processions will start from Bhowanipore and Park Street at 5am on Thursday. Both will culminate at Shahid Minar.

Later in the year: Seminars will be conducted in schools on the life and works of Guru Gobind Singh. The infrastructure of Behala Blind School will be improved as a charity gesture.

All are welcome: People from all caste, creed or religion can attend the celebrations.

"Guru Gobind Singh-ji was a guru of all people, not only Sikhs. He fought the oppressors and saved innocent people," Ahluwalia said.