September 4, 2024: On the occasion of the First Parkash Purab (First Installation Day) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, a grand Nagar Kirtan was organized from Gurdwara Sri Ramsar Sahib to Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib. The Nagar Kirtan, led by the Five Beloved Ones (Panj Pyare) and accompanied by the canopy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, was ceremoniously started. At the time of its departure, the Head Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, Giani Raghbir Singh, and the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, along with the President of the Shiromani Committee, Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, honored the Panj Pyare, Nishan-bearers, and Nagara-players with robes of honor (Siropao).
A large number of Panthic personalities and devotees were present at the event. Before the commencement of the Nagar Kirtan, the final prayers of Sri Akhand Path Sahib were offered, and the Raagi Jathas performed Gurbani Kirtan. On this occasion, Singh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh congratulated the congregation on the First Parkash Purab and stated that Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the revered Guru of the Sikhs. Every Sikh must live their life by following the path shown by the sacred Gurbani. He mentioned that the Fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, compiled Sri Guru Granth Sahib with his own hands in 1604, and the first installation was performed at Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib. On the same day, the Fifth Guru, Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, appointed Baba Buddha Ji as the first Granthi, thereby starting the tradition of the Granthi. The Jathedar highlighted that since the Guru’s time until today, a large number of devotees gather on the occasion of the First Parkash Purab to offer their devotion and reverence to the holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He urged the devotees to imbibe the sacred Gurbani of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in their lives and to live according to Gurmat principles.
During the Nagar Kirtan, Sikh youth displayed Gatka (martial arts), and Shabad Jathas (devotional groups) sang hymns to express their devotion. Various Langars (community kitchens) serving different dishes were also organized by devotees at various locations along the route. The General Secretary of the Shiromani Committee, Bhai Rajinder Singh Mehta, along with other members like Pratap Singh, Gurinder Singh, Balwinder Singh, Manager Bhagwant Singh, Harpreet Singh, and Jasbir Singh, were present during the Nagar Kirtan.