Patna and Rajgir gear up for Prakash Parv

PATNA: Patna and Rajgir are gearing up for ‘Prakash Parv’, the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. The festivities will begin at Takhat Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib Gurdwara from November 12.
Besides, a three-day mega programme will be organized from December 27 to 29 in Patna and Rajgir. This will be followed by another three-day event to mark the ‘Prakash Parv’ of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh guru, from December 31 to January 2 at both the places.
According to tourism department sources, a tent city will be made at Kangan Ghat in Patna City to accommodate the devotees in December. Initial works have been initiated and the tent city is expected to be ready by December 25.
Takhat Sri Harmandir Prabandhak Committee’s general secretary M S Dillon told TOI, “The ‘Prakash Parv’ of both the gurus will be celebrated one after the other as it will be convenient for devotees to attend the events together.”
Talking about the event on November 12, Dhillon said, “A ‘kavi sammelan’ will be held at Gurdwara Guru Ka Bagh Sahib at 11am. The main event, which will start at the gurdwara at 1.20am, will end after 24 hours.”
Former Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee member R S Jeet claimed, “An ‘akhand path’ will begin at Gurdwara Guru Ka Bagh Sahib from November 9 and end on November 11, after which the ‘Diwan’ will be decorated. The ‘nagar kirtan’ will start from Guru Ka Bagh at 2.30pm and reach Takhat Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib Gurdwara at 6pm.”
‘Kirtan’ and ‘pravachan’ will be organized on November 12. ‘Prabhat pheri’ will start from November 6 onwards.