Sikh devotees pay obeisance during the Vishaal Deewan (Mas Congregation) held to celebrate the 556th Prakash Purabu Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj, the first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikhism, at the Nampally Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad on Wednesday. | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL
Despite a mid-week working day and a forecast of rain, the central Nampally fair ground turned into a sea of devotion and color as more than 20,000 devotees from across Hyderabad and Telangana gathered to celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti, marking the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.
The sprawling grounds were transformed into a sprawling tented hall decorated in shades of saffron, yellow and blue.
Since late morning, long queues of devotees had formed in the main pavilion waiting to be blessed by the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture, while religious hymns by children, women and later – famous preachers filled the air. On either side of the hall, hundreds sat cross-legged in prayer, some with clasped hands, others lost in silent contemplation.
Throughout the day, the aroma of freshly prepared food permeated the venue as volunteers served ‘Guru Ka Langar’, a community kitchen that embodies Sikhism’s spirit of equality and service. Children, elderly devotees and visitors of all faiths shared food and sat side by side on long mats. Outside the main congregation area, stalls offered free refreshments, medical check-ups, educational materials and devotional items, creating a festive yet deeply spiritual atmosphere.
Sikh devotees pay obeisance on the occasion of Vishaal Deewana at the Nampally Exhibition Grounds in Hyderabad on Wednesday. | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL
The gathering was jointly organized by the managing committees of Gurudwaras in Secunderabad and Afzalgunj and marked the culmination of five days of celebrations that included religious processions and gatherings at key gurudwaras. The event which started at 11:00 AM and continued till 4:00 PM featured recitations of religious hymns and sermons by renowned preachers including Bhai Harjinder Singh (Srinagar wale), Bhai Baljeet Singh (USA wale), Gyani Saheb Singh (Markanda wale) and several others invited from across India.
Guru Nanak Jayanti is more than a commemoration of the Guru’s birth, it is a celebration of his enduring message of truth, humility and unity. His teachings encourage people to live with honesty, compassion and a sense of shared humanity, values that are deeply relevant today, organizers said.
Published – 05 Nov 2025 20:25 IST
