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Guru Nanak: Historic Sikh celebrations take place in India and Pakistan Guru Nanak: Sikh founder's 550th birthday celebrated
(about 8 hours later)
Celebrations have been taking place in India on the eve of the 550th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak - the founder of Sikhism. Celebrations have taken place in India and Pakistan to mark the 550th anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak - the founder of Sikhism.
Sikhs have also been celebrating in Pakistan following the historic opening of the Kartarpur corridor, which allows Indians access to one of Sikhism's holiest shrines without having to apply for a visa. The anniversary comes just a few days after the historic opening of the Kartarpur corridor, which allows Indians access to one of Sikhism's holiest shrines in Pakistan without having to apply for a visa.
Tensions between the neighbours have made it difficult for Indian pilgrims to visit the site in Pakistan in recent years but an agreement reached last month allows Indians to make the 4km (2.5-mile) crossing to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur - where Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life. Tensions between the neighbours have made it difficult for Indian pilgrims to visit the site in Pakistan in recent years. But an agreement reached last month allows Indians to make the 4km (2.5-mile) crossing to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur - where Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life.
Devotees from across the world visit the shrine for every year to commemorate Guru Nanak's birth. Indian Sikhs will now be able to visit with just their passports, but they will not be allowed to leave the site or stay overnight. On Tuesday, Sikh pilgrims in Pakistan gathered at Nankana Sahib, the birth place of Guru Nanak, which is about 80km (50 miles) from the city of Lahore.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar, in north-western India, is the holiest Gurdwara (where Sikhs worship). It was lit up to host processions as Sikh worshippers took part in the three-day celebration of Guru Nanak's birth. Large numbers of devotees, including women, took part in the religious rituals.
On the first day of celebrations, Sikhs read the Sikh holy book - the Guru Granth Sahib - from beginning to end. The auspicious day for Sikhs was also marked in India, where Guru Nanak's birth anniversary is an annual public holiday.
The book was paraded through the streets of Amritsar on Monday in a hand-held carriage, as traditionally happens on the second day. Sikh devotees gathered in huge numbers at the Bangla Sahib Gurdwara in the capital Delhi.
These processions are led by five people representing the original Panj Pyare - the Five Beloved Ones - who helped shape the religion. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the nation on the occasion, saying it was "a day to rededicate ourselves" to Guru Nanak's "dream of a just, inclusive and harmonious society".
Devotees of all ages also enjoyed colourful martial arts performances known as Gatka. Though Guru Nanak's anniversary is an important event for Sikhs annually, this time the celebrations were more special due to the opening of the Kartarpur corridor.
In Delhi, armed Sikh warriors known as Nihangs paraded through the city on horseback, dressed in colourful turbans and robes. Devotees from across the world visit the Kartarpur shrine every year to commemorate his birth. Indian Sikhs will now be able to visit with just their passports, but they will not be allowed to leave the site or stay overnight.
On Tuesday, the day of the anniversary and the final day of celebrations, gurdwaras will be decorated with flowers, flags and lights while worshippers sing hymns, recite poems and listen to lectures on Sikhism. The Golden Temple in Amritsar, in north-western India, is the holiest Gurdwara (where Sikhs worship). On the eve of the anniversary, it was lit up to host processions as Sikh worshippers took part in the three-day celebration of Guru Nanak's birth.
On the first day of the celebrations, Sikhs read the Sikh holy book - the Guru Granth Sahib - from beginning to end.
As is the tradition on the second day, the holy book was paraded through the streets of Amritsar on Monday in a hand-held carriage.
The procession was led by five people representing the original Panj Pyare - the Five Beloved Ones - who helped shape the religion.
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