Kochi’s Sikh community unites in joy for Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations
The Sikh community in Kochi is celebrating Guru Nanak Jayanti, their most significant festival, honouring the birth anniversary of their founder, Guru Nanak. The lone gurdwara in Kochi is filled with festivity, resonating with kirtan and the beats of tabla and harmonium.
The celebration began with a procession through the city, spreading the message of Sikhism. Inside the gurdwara, the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy text of Sikhs, rests under a colourful canopy, adorned with floral garlands. Hundreds of people silently gather to bow before it during the kirtan.
The gurdwara runs a free homoeopathy clinic daily and an eye clinic every second and fourth Wednesday, serving the community. The sense of companionship is visible in the flowing camaraderie and fluent Malayalam spoken among the devotees. After the kirtan, a traditional langar is served downstairs, prepared by families who gathered the previous night. The langar, a simple but hearty feast, is a symbol of equality and unity in Sikhism.
The first gurdwara in Kochi was built in 1955, primarily for Navy personnel, and later shifted to Perumanoor in 1975. Today, it stands as a beacon of the Sikh community in Kochi, offering spiritual guidance and community support.
Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations at the Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Thevara, Kochi, reflect the spirit of Sikhism - unity, equality, and service. The festival brings the community together, transcending all barriers, and reinforces the gurdwara's role as a spiritual and social hub.
