Sikhs celebrate Nagar Kirtan in Sandwell
Sunday 15 November 2009

Sikhs took to the streets of Sandwell in their tens of thousands to celebrate the 540th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh religion on Sunday 15th November 2009. The seven Gurdwaras of Sandwell came together to organise a procession (called a Nagar Kirtan) which started from the Guru Har Rai Gurdwara, High Street, West Bromwich at 10am and finished at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara, High Street, Smethwick.

The Nagar Kirtan was a very colourful and joyous event with decorated floats, confetti showers, fireworks, music and hymns, Gatka martial arts performers and food and drinks stalls along the route. The religious focal point was the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh Holy Scriptures) carried on a decorated float at the head of the procession.

Event Organiser and President of Guru Har Rai Gurdwara, Mr Malkit Singh said, “I am delighted that the Nagar Kirtan was a huge success. The whole day went off without any problems and in line with our plans. I had been concerned about the bad weather we had been having over the last few days but even the weather was just right. We had many more people attending than we thought we would and everybody thoroughly enjoyed it.”

He added, “Guru Nanak Dev Ji is the founder of the Sikh religion and his birth anniversary is a very important date in the Sikh calendar. Sikhs have celebrated this anniversary all over the world and in Sandwell, all of the Sikh community came together to take part in these festivities. For Sikhs, this is a celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings as well as his birthday.”

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 in a village called Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib and located in present-day Pakistan. During his lifetime, Guru Nanak Dev Ji travelled thousands of miles teaching there is only one God, and that everyone is equal, regardless of gender, race, religion, caste or wealth. He taught his followers to live by a simple code:

Naam Japna: Remembering God at all times.
Kirat Karo: Earning an honest living.
Vand Ke Chakko: Sharing with others.

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was compiled by the tenth Guru and includes the writings of several of the previous Guru’s including Guru Nanak Dev Ji, as well as saints and prominent religious people of other faiths. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is treated as a living Guru by Sikhs and the Nagar Kirtan (procession) is held with a great deal of ceremony and reverence.

Organising Committee member and Assistant General Secretary of Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Mr Chamkor Singh said, “We are very grateful to the many young people who gave up their time on a volunteer basis to help organise and manage the event on the day. Their enthusiasm and commitment ensured the event was a resounding success.”

Along its route, the Nagar Kirtan visited five of the seven Gurdwaras in Sandwell across West Bromwich, Oldbury and Smethwick . Sikhs from across Sandwell and neighbouring boroughs participated with their families. The Nagar Kirtan is a family event and many people of all ages walked the entire route. Others chose to walk part of the route between one Gurdwara and the next. Over the day, the Nagar Kirtan attracted over 25,000 people participating at some point. Many families and businesses as well as the Gurdwaras prepared food and drinks at their own expense and served them to participants free of charge from stalls along the route. Food and drinks included samosas, pakoras, fruit, crisps, sweets, hot tea and soft drinks.

Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr Balbinder Singh, said, “The Nagar Kirtan was the result of months of careful planning and organising. I am grateful for the advice and support of members of the Sandwell Safety at Public Events Committee including Sandwell Council and West Midlands Police before and during the event.”

He added, “I was also pleased to see that many people of other communities came out of their houses, businesses and churches to see the Nagar Kirtan passing by. Many of these people participated by asking questions and sharing in the free food and drinks on offer along the route. The response of local people was overwhelmingly positive and welcoming and I will be having early discussions with my colleagues about repeating the Nagar Kirtan next year.”