Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his ministerial colleagues, and Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were in the procession into which all five Khalsa marches from native towns of `Panj Pyaras' had converged at Kiratpur Sahib last evening.

Akal Takht jathedar Giani Puran Singh, who tended to Guru Granth Sahib in a glass-panelled vehicle, was followed by jathedars of four other Sikh takhts, all attired in the traditional saffron-and-blue robes of the order created by Guru Gobind Sahib 300 years ago in this town known as `Guru ki Nagri'.

The Vice President was accompanied by Haryana Governor Mahabir Prasad, Union Ministers SS Barnala, Sukhbir Singh and Omek Apang, Haryana Chief Minister Bansi Lal, and ambassadors and high commissioners of Britain,Australia, Canada and British Columbia.

Kant and other dignitaries walked upto the vehicle carrying the Guru Granth Sahib and paid obeisance.

Shiromani Gurudwra Prabhandak Committee president Bibi Jagir Kaur marched alongside Kesgarh Sahib jathedar Manjit Singh and Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Giani Kewal Singh.

Devotees lined the road on both sides of the march in which a large number of activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Bajrang Dal were present.

Five helicopters showered petals on the procession.

An attractive part of the eight-km long Khalsa Fateh March was an American Sikh contingent which displayed their martial skills.

Another interesting feature of the march was a contingent of `Nihangs', a warrior class of Sikhs, on horseback, dressed in blue robes and brandishing swords.

A large number of RSS volunteers in khaki shorts also stood out in the colourful march.

The march was led by two caparisoned elephants.