Punjab, India celebrate Gurparab

AMRITSAR/CHANDIGARH - Millions of devotees lined up at gurdwaras across Punjab and elsewhere in the country early Monday morning to celebrate Gurparab — the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.

A heavy rush of devotees were seen outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar as people came to pay obeisance.

Hundreds of other gurdwaras in cities, towns and villages also saw a stream of devotees since morning.

Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 at Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan’s Punjab province).

Nearly 2,000 devotees from India have gone to Pakistan to pay obeisance at the Nankana Sahib gurdwara, despite the advice of the home ministry to avoid going to Pakistan in view of the deteriorating security situation there.

Langars (community kitchens) were being organised Monday at all gurdwaras across Punjab and along major highways to serve food to people.