The Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations were marked by prayers and shared meals that fostered the spirit of amity championed by the founder of Sikhism.

The biggest gathering was on the Maidan around Shahid Minar, where the celebrations started with katha and kirtan — musical recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred book of the Sikh faith — since Friday morning.

A dhadi jatha (a band of singers) from Punjab was one of the highlights of the
celebrations.

The grand langar was a spectacle. Hundreds of people sat together to eat. The batches started in the morning and continued late into the evening. The aroma of dal, sabzi, and halwa filled the Maidan air.

Friday was a public holiday. But even then, many people who passed by the Maidan dropped in for a quick meal. As did families who come to the Guru Purab celebrations as a ritual every year.

In keeping with Guru Nanak’s teachings, the differences in religion were blurred in the gatherings. People from all faiths and different walks of life broke bread together.

“I have come with a Sikh friend. This is my first time here. Not only did we eat here, we also did seva at the langar. It was a very satisfying experience,” said Akash Sharma, a man in his early twenties.

Harmit Singh came with his wife and two children. “Coming to Maidan on Guru Purab is like an annual ritual,” he said.

Blood donation camps and free eye check-up units were set up on the Maidan.

“The central message preached by Guru Nanak is ‘Naam Japo, Kirat Karo and Vand Chhako’, which means: remember the name of the God, perform your duty with honesty and hard work, and share whatever you earn with the need. We try to keep that in mind while celebrating,” said Inderjit Singh Sekhon, general secretary of Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Calcutta, the main organiser of the programme at Shahid Minar.

“The celebration cuts through barriers and differences. Everyone is welcome here,” he added.

The Sabha has representations from gurdwaras in and around the city.

Gurdwaras across the city — like Gurdwara Sant Kutiya on Harish Mukherjee Road, Gurdwara Burrabazar, Dunlop Gurdwara and Gurdwara Behala — also celebrated the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

The IHA Foundation, a charitable organisation, hosted langars in front of hospitals across the city for patients’ kin and underprivileged people.

“This day is an opportunity to renew our commitment to Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s vision of a just, inclusive, and harmonious society. His teachings are as relevant today as they were over 550 years ago,” said Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, one of the members of the West Bengal Minorities Commission and general secretary of Gurdwara Behala.