ISLAMABAD: Hassanabdal has a special significance in Sikhism as it is home to the hand imprint, or Punja of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion.

Almost 500 years ago, Guru Nanak founded the Sikh religion in this area, based on universal love, equality and brotherhood, peace, harmony and sharing with others, especially with those in need.

This makes the Panja Sahib one of the three holiest shrines in the Sikh religion, the other two being the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India and the Nankana Sahib in Sheikhupura, Pakistan.

The 100-year-old Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hassanabdal hosts four events in the Sikh religious calendar, for which Sikh pilgrims travel to Pakistan from around the world, including from India, Afghanistan, UK, USA, Canada and the Gulf countries.

This gurdwara or the ‘door to guru’ is revered by Sikhs for what they believe is the imprint of the palm of the founder of their faith on a rock above a spring which feeds a pond where the pilgrims take holy baths.

A large number of pilgrims especially travel to Hassanabdal for Besakhi and the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak, also known as Gurpurab.

Gurpurab begins with Prabhat Pheris, early morning processions which start from the gurdwaras and then go around the area, singing shabads or hymns. The celebrations also include the three day Akhand path, during which the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib is read continuously, from beginning to end without a break. On the main day of the festival, the Granth Sahib is also carried in a procession on a float decorated with flowers around the city or village.

Five armed guards, who represent the Panj Pyares, head the procession carrying the Nishan Sahibs or the Sikh flag. Local bands play religious music during the procession. Free sweets and langar or community lunches are also offered to everyone irrespective of religious orientation. Men, women, and children, participate in this karseva as service to the community, cook food and distribute it in the ‘Guru ka Langar’, with the traditional ‘Karah Prasad’.

Worshippers also visit local gurdwaras special programs are hosted in which kirtans or religious songs are sung. Houses and gurdwaras are lit for the festival.

Guru Nanak Dev was a seer, saint, mystic and a poet. He preached universal love and Sikhs all over the world celebrate his birth anniversary to reaffirm their belief in the teachings of the founder of their religion.

Published in Dawn November 20th, 2016