American Sikhs sing kirtans at Golden Temple

AMRITSAR: A group of three American Sikhs on Saturday left hundreds of devotees at the Golden Temple spellbound as they sang kirtans (religious hymns) in chaste Punjabi inside the sanctum sanctorum.

The three youth -- Sada Sat Simran Singh, Harmandhar Jot Singh and Jagat Guru Singh -- had learnt the language under the guidance of the late Harbhjan Singh Yogi and were well versed with the Sikh holy scripture, temple manager Harbhjan Singh said.

Experts from the SGPC had conducted a thorough trial before allowing the youth to sing kirtans inside the temple, he added.

Talking to reporters, Harmandhar Jot (26) said he was born a Sikh. His American parents had adopted the religion in their spiritual quest. He said he had begun studying the scriptures at the age of seven.