Devotees in Ranchi and Jamshedpur lined up at Gurudwaras on Sunday to immerse themselves in the colours of devotion on the occasion of 352nd 'Parkash Parab', the birth anniversary of 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

Born in Patna, on December 22, 1666, Guru Gobind Singh was the son of Guru Tegh Bahadur, who devoted his life to protect religious freedom. To protect the people from being oppressed, Guru Gobind Singh established the 'Khalsa Panth' in the year 1699.

The devotees participated in special prayer ceremonies. Free langars (holy kitchen) were also arranged and prasad (holy food) was distributed to mark the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjabi-Hindu Biradari Spokesperson, Annu Chawla said, “Guru Gobind Singh inspired people with his knowledge of philosophy, his principles, and bravery.”

He added, “On this day, devotees participate in religious celebrations and prayersand seek the blessings of Guru Gobind Singh. People share sweets and cold drinks (mostly sherbet) among the adults and children, during the procession.”

 At all most all the gurudwaras in Jamshedpur, recitations of sacred Gurubani Keertans (holy hymns) by renowned Sikh preachers of the city to inculcate the values of Guru Gobind Singh among the devotees on the occasion were held.

 A religious procession was taken out from Kitadih Gurudwara under the aegis of Central Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (CGPC), the apex body of Sikhs in Jamshedpur. The procession would culminate at Sakchi Gurudwara in the evening after moving through various areas.

"We are celebrating the 'Prakash Utsav' Guru Gobind Singh's birth anniversary, the tenth guru of Sikhs with happiness and fervour. Like every year we are taking out a religious procession and chanting prayers to celebrate the birth anniversary of our revered Guru," said Giani Iqbal Singh, a Sikh leader.

The devotees also chanted numerous prayers while walking along the chariot. In daredevil acts to depict victory over evil, Sikh martial art forms like the 'Gatka' were also performed by trained professionals.

Guru Gobind Singh was the last of the ten Gurus, the one who transformed the Sikh faith. In 1699 he created the Khalsa (Pure), a community of the faithful who wore visible symbols of their faith and trained as warriors. Today the Khalsa comprises all practicing Sikhs.

A two-day congregation has been organised at Sakchi Gurudwara in which the participants of religious procession would be felicitated based on their performances.

Meanwhile, Tusu, a tribal festival, was also observed across the state on Sunday.

Speaking about the festival, Kurumali Language Council president, Raja Ram Mahto said, “The unmarried girls make statue of Tusu and worship it. The festival celebrates respect for women.”