Sikhs, a small minority in the country, celebrated the 325th Khalsa Sajna Festival, one of the most important festivals in Sikhism, with Nagar Kirtan, a religious procession synchronised with songs in Dhaka.
The Nagar Kirtan started from Gurudwara Nanak Shahi on Dhaka University campus at about 5:00pm on Tuesday that paraded DU鈥檚 Teacher-Student Centre, Jagannath Hall, and Fuller Road.
Bangladesh Gurdwara management committee initiated the procession. Sikhs from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and several other countries, and patrons of all Gurdwaras in Bangladesh and Guru Shriman Sant Baba Sukha Singh, who came from Punjab, were present in the procession.
A pickup truck was decorated with flowers for the procession and the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh holy book, was placed on it with great honour. The hymns from the book were recited at that time.
Meanwhile, a call was made from the event for everyone to unite and work to establish peace in the world.
Sikhs thanked the government for its cooperation at all levels, including security, during the five-day long religious event in Bangladesh.
Sant Baba Sukha Singh, head of the Sikhs in Bangladesh, urged people of all faiths and backgrounds to come together at Gurudwara Nanak Shahi to take food, ensuring that no one goes hungry and earning a permissible livelihood.
The Khalsa ceremony was introduced by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, in response to the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, under Sharia law by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
The festival holds great importance as it symbolises the birth of the Khalsa community and the reaffirmation of Sikh values and principles.
Guru Gobind Singh introduced the ceremony in Baishakh month in 1699, and it is still celebrated in the month. The concept of a distinct Sikh dress code also originated from this time.
