Imagine attending a kirtan with thousands of devotees, listening to devotional music and singing along, but without hearing a single loudspeaker in the surroundings. That is the idea behind the silent kirtan in Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra, where devotees use wireless headphones to listen to Gurbani and devotional music. The unique initiative by Amritvela Trust has found a way to bring people together for prayer while keeping noise pollution in check. Curly Tales has also featured this unusual spiritual gathering, which offers a different take on community celebrations. Scroll down to know more.
How Does Ulhasnagar’s Amritvela Kirtan Work?
Amritvela Trust introduced headphones at its gatherings to address complaints about loud music disturbing residents during early-morning prayers. Instead of giving up the kirtan or moving the entire event indoors, organisers found a way to let devotees listen individually through headphones. At the gathering, devotees are given wireless headphones through which they can listen to the kirtan being performed on stage. The devotional music is transmitted directly to their devices, allowing everyone to follow the prayers and sing along without the need for loudspeakers.
The headphones are distributed to attendees before the session and collected once it ends so they can be used again. The arrangement allows thousands of people to participate in the same gathering while keeping the surrounding neighbourhood relatively quiet.
Also Read: Guru Nanak Jayanti: Make Langarwali Dal At Home With This Simple Recipe By Chef Kunal Kapur
According to a 2017 report by The Times of India, organisers distributed around 10,000 wireless headphones for the early-morning Amrit Vella Kirtan at Gol Maidan. The sessions typically began at 3:45 am and continued until 5:30 am.
Why Did Ulhasnagar Start Organising Silent Kirtan?
The initiative came after concerns were raised about noise pollution caused by early-morning religious gatherings. Local resident and activist Sarita Khanchandani had objected to the loud music, which disturbed people living near Gol Maidan. The use of headphones offered a solution that allowed devotees to continue their religious observances without disturbing their neighbours.
The initiative grew into a large community gathering. In 2018, Amritvela Trust organised a 43-day Silent Kirtan and Satsang Samagam from October 13 to November 23, coinciding with the celebrations around Guru Nanak Jayanti. The World Book of Records also recognised the event for its Silent Kirtan format.
A report published by Loksatta in September 2026 noted that the trust continues to use wireless headphones for its early-morning gatherings, with around 15,000 to 20,000 devotees attending at Gol Maidan. The initiative shows how technology can help communities preserve religious traditions while being considerate of the people living around them.
Have you ever attended Amritvela?
Cover Image Courtesy: Internal
FAQs
What is Amrit Vela time?
Amrit Vela (literally meaning the "time of nectar" or "ambrosial hours" from amrit for nectar/immortal and vela for time) refers to the early morning hours before sunrise in Sikhism and related Indic traditions.
Which paath to do in Amrit Vela?
During Amrit Vela (the ambrosial hours roughly between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM), Sikhs traditionally focus on personal discipline (Nam Simran) and the morning Nitnem prayers.
Can we do Amrit Vela at 2am?
Yes, you can do Amrit Vela at 2:00 AM.
