New Delhi/ Amritsar, Oct. 31 Hundreds and thousands of Sikhs on Saturday participated in the annual religious procession "Nagar Kirtan", taken out as part of the festivities related to the birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev, the first guru of Sikhs, in Delhi and Amrtisar cities of north India.

Guru Nanak's 541st birth anniversary will be celebrated on Monday (November 2).

In Delhi, a huge procession "Nagar Kirtan" was taken out from Gurudwara Sheeshganj, in Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk area.

"Guru Nanak Dev was born at a time when hatred, casteism and other social evils were at its peak on earth. No one bothered for anyone. He gave the message of brotherhood and preached human equality," said Amarjeet Singh, one of the devotees.

Innumerous devotees carried the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred book of the Sikhs; also revered as the last living Guru, in the procession, to Nanak Pyao Gurudwara about eight kilometers away.

Devotees carrying brooms swept the roads along the route of the procession. They believe that it amounts to offering themselves at the service of the God and it will help them rid of their sins.

The holy book was compiled by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev (1581-1606).

In Amritsar city, colourful procession was led by five priests or the "Panj Piaras".

"We are celebrating and have come to pray at the Golden Temple. Religious body, devotees and educational institutes are participating in the procession," said Harjeet Singh, a devotee.

Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in the then Punjab region of undivided Indian subcontinent. Troubled by the frequent conflicts between Hindu and Muslim communities, he tried to work out a synthesis of the two religions. His mission gained popularity among the masses and eventually evolved into Sikh religion. (ANI)