Amritsar (Punjab), March 14 (IANS) Hundreds of Sikhs Sunday recited hymns devoted to the environment in the Golden Temple here to mark the coronation of their seventh guru Har Rai.

US-based Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE) and mini-parliament of Sikhs Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) observed the day as Sikh Environment Day, reciting shabad kirtan (hymns composed by gurus) at Golden Temple, also known as Harmandar Sahib.

'There was a special shabad kirtan, devoted to our mother nature, to celebrate the guru Har Rai's gurugaddi diwas today (Sunday). It was a big success. Raagis had selected melodious shabads related to nature and environment,' SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh told IANS.

'Besides this, we are also celebrating this day as Sikh Environment Day. Today we will plant tens of thousands of saplings in schools, colleges and other public places in Punjab. We have distributed them free-of-cost to various gurudwaras. The idea is to associate more and more people, especially youths, in this movement to save earth.'

Guru Har Rai was the seventh leader in the succession of Sikh's 10 spiritual leaders.

'Guru Har Rai was very close to nature and wildlife. It is our tribute to his exceptional work and commitment for the protection of both flora and fauna,' said SCORE's chairman Rajwant Singh.