New Delhi, Nov 08: Offering of prayers in gurudwaras and temples and people taking dips in holy rivers and sarovars marked Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of first Sikh Guru Nanak Dev, and 'Kartik Purnima' which were celebrated with enthusiasm across the country today. Dressed in their colourful best, people offered prayers at gurudwaras since morning where 'Shabad Kirtans' were organised and people recalled the guru's message of peace, love and brotherhood.
Women and children in large numbers offered 'kar seva' at day-long community kitchens at gurudwaras and people distributed sweets on the occasion.
In Punjab devotees took dip in sacred sarovars at Golden Temple in Amritsar, Gurudwara Darbar Sahib at Muktsar, Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo) and Guru Ka Dhab in Bathinda.
Colourful processions were taken out on the occasion in which school children participated with enthusiasm.
In Delhi the main congregations were at Rakab Ganj and Bangla Sahib.
Lakhs of devotees took dips in holy rivers at various places on the occasion of Kartik Purnima festival, the full moon day in the auspicious 'Kartik' month of the Hindu calendar.
In Ayodhya, where pilgrims had started pouring in since yesterday, about five lakh devotees took holy dip in Saryu River and offered prayers at various temples including the makeshift temple in the acquired land, Kanak Bhawan, Hanuman Garhi and Nageshwarnath Shiva temples amidst tight security.
Bureau Report