Nagar Kirtan also Nagara Sankeerthane (Sanskrit: नगर कीर्तन, Bengali: নগর কীর্তন, Gurmukhi: ਨਗਰ ਕੀਰ੍ਤਨ, Kannada; നഗര സങ്കീർത്തനേ) is a dharmic tradition involving the processional singing of holy hymns by a group in a residential area.[1][2]
Chaitnaya Mahaprabhu is credited with introduction of custom of Nagar Kirtan which included singing not only lyrical verses dedicated to Lord Krishna but also chanting and singing them repetitively on the streets of city in form of a procession.[3]
In Hinduism, Bengali saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu[4] propagated ideas of Bhakti through Samkirtan (collective recitation of the hymn) and Nagar Kirtan (Kirtan in form of religious processions), [5] and is credited in the Vaishnava tradition with introduction of the custom which included singing not only lyrical verses dedicated to Lord Krishna but also chanting and singing them repetitively on the streets of city in form of a procession.[6] The congregational singing of Chaitanya in the forms of Sankirtan and Nagar Kirtan always remained wrapped in the folk tunes of the devotees amidst the boisterous booming of drums and cymbals.[7] A video of a Nagara Sankeerthane Raghu Leela School of Music in February 2021 performing Nagara Sankeerthane at the Sri Seetha Rama temple in Ashwathapura of the Dakshina Kannada district, went viral on social media with millions of views.[1]
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Nagar Kirtan, in Sikhism, is customary in the festival of Vaisakhi. Traditionally, the procession is led by the saffron-robed Panj Piare (the five beloved of the Guru), who are followed by the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy Sikh scripture, which is placed on a float.[8]
Commonly, members of the procession are unshod in deference to the displayed scripture. Likewise, many cover their heads and don the colour saffron or orange. The road before the procession is cleared by Sewadars. Bystanders bow their heads to the scripture. Food may be provided to them from floats that follow the Scripture or from stationary points near the vicinity of the procession.[9] The procession concludes at the Gurudwara with Ardas (pray).[10]