This is the first time Sikh community is celebrating a centennary celebrations as during 100 years India was under Moghul rule and during 200years it was under British rule. This is the first time three hundred years celebration of Sri Guru Granth Sahibji is held all over India with much religious fervour.

Addressing a press meet Reception Committee Chairman Mr. S. Gurucharan Singh Bagga informed that the yatra commemorating the tercentenary (300 years) of the installation (consecration) of Sri Guru Granth Sahibji (Guruta Gaddi Diwas) and Parlokgaman (heavenly abode) of tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh, commenced its journey from Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded, Maharashtra on November 15, 2007. The yatra aimed at spreading the message of equality of mankind and secularism and has received unprecedented response. Attracting people from all faiths, it has achieved the task of national integration too. The yatra has covered more than 150 cities of India across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Punjab, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and now will reach Andhra Pradesh.

The yatra will arrive into the Vijayawada city on July 29, and would be received in a befitting manner by the Prabhandak Committees of all Sikh Gurudwaras and thousands of Sikh devotees. Meanwhile, a grand reception will be given to the Jagriti Yatra, which will be spreading Guru Gobind Singh's teachings, once it reaches Hyderabad. The Yatra will reach the city in a massive procession and will be welcomed with fervour and fireworks. Aircrafts and Helicopters will shower flower petals during the Jagriti Yatra procession at all the Sikh Gurudwaras, informs Mr. S. Trilok Singh, Committee President.

The twin cities roads will be decked beautifully to welcome the Guru Manyo Granth Jagriti Yatra, which will reach the city on Tuesday. Almost every road leading to Gurudwaras would be decorated with illuminated gates, festive lights and buntings to receive the yatra. Hundreds of hoardings proclaiming the arrival of the yatra would be installed near the roadsides. Tea and snack stalls will be also be set up. Guru ka langar (free food) will be served during all the three days.

The Committee Chairman S. Gurucharan Singh Bagga and Secretary S. Pritam Singh told that Jagriti Yatra will be welcomed in grand manner by the twin cities sangat at Choutuppal, Nalgonda district on July 29. From here, it will proceed to Gurudwara Saheb, Autonagar in the evening and proceed to Gurudwara Sahib Asasingh Bagh and then to Gurudwara Sahib Sikh Chawni, Barambala, Kishanbagh for night halt.

The next day, July 30, the Jagriti Yatra will proceed to Charmahal Gurudwara, Gurudwara Kalgidhar Niwas, Goshamahal and reach Gurudwara Guru Singh sabha, Ashok Bazar. At 3 pm, a huge procession will start from the Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha and proceed to NTR Stadium, Indira Park.

A Vishaal Deewan will be organised at the Stadium in which reputed Ragi Jathas will recite Shabad Keertans in the evening. A grand event will be organised at NTR stadium where "SHASTAR DE DARSHAN (EXHIBITION OF RARE WEAPONS OF SRI GURU GOBIND SINGHJI)" will be exhibited for the benefit of devotees. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy will be chief guest for the function at NTR Stadium. Several State Cabinet ministers will also participate. Later in the night, there will be display of fire works. The Yatra will move to Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha, Ashok Bazar for night halt.

On July 31, after the Kirtan Darbar at Guru Singh Sabha, the Jagriti Yatra will proceed to Central Gurudwara Saheb Gowliguda. Later, on the sadh sangat and devotees will proceed in bikes, cars to Gurudwara Saheb Ameerpet. A grand reception cum welcome will be given to the Jagriti Yatra at Punjagutta and the procession will move to Guru Gobind Singh Sports Stadium, Ameerpet. After the Kirtan Darbar followed by fire work display, there will be a night halt for the Jagriti Yatra at Ameerpet Gurudwara.

The next day, i.e., on August 1, the Yatra will move Gurudwara Sahib Balanagar, EME Centre, Gurudwara Saheb Manovikas Nagar, Gurudwara Saheb Alwal and Gurudwara Seethaphalamandi and return to Gurudwara Secunderabad for night halt stay. Yatra will proceed to Karimanagar.

The Military and Police bands will also perform on the occasion. The Committee members appealed Sikhs to maintain discipline and light up the entire city road leading respective Sikh Gurudwaras as a mark of respect to the Yatra. VVIPS will be invited to take blessing of Guru Granth Sahibji.

More than 50 lakh devotees from around the globe are expected to visit Nanded for the two tercentenaries, Gurta Gaddi (installation) of Guru Granth Sahibji on October 30 and Parlokgaman (heavenly abode) on November 3.

"Guru Granth Sahib is the holiest scriptures if Sikhs, with sacred Bani of great Gurus, saints and bhaktas from different faiths, sects and regions, giving a universal message of brotherhood, goodwill, mutual trust peace and harmony," Gurcharan Singh said.

Sikhism as a religion is 500 years old but the `Khalsa Panth' came to be established about three centuries ago. After 200 years of evolving under the ten gurus, the Sikhs were made as Khalsas by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

A few days before passing away on October 7, 1708, Guru Gobind Singh ended the practice of appointing an individual as Guru and declared the holy book `Guru Granth sahib Ji' as the eternal Guru of the Sikhs.

About one lakh Sikhs live in twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. And about 22 lakh Sikhs live in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad alone have 24 Gurudwaras. Besides these there are 4 Gurudwaras in Army and one in CRPF at Chandrayangutta in city. The oldest Gurudwara in twin cites is the Central Gurudwara Saheb at Gowliguda Chaman. It was established in the year 1901. It is considered as the central seat for sikhs in Hyderabad.  

Two percentage of India’s population is comprised of Sikhs who are known for their bravery. Sikhism is the fifth largest organised religion in the world. Some of the well known sikhs in country include Prime Minister of India Mr. Manmohan Singh, Former President Giani Zail Singh, Mr. Kushwant Singh, a well known writer, journalist; Bishan Singh Bedi, Sidhu well known cricketers, Kiran Bedi, a well known lady police officer and India’s first lady IPS officer, Daler Mehndi, Rabbi Shergill, Gulzar, etc and others The Golden Temple in Amritsar is the Paragon of the Sikh temples. This holiest shrine of Sikhism, also known as Hari Mandir, blends Hindu and Muslim style of architecture.