Gurdwara Sahib Vermont

LA Sangat Celebrates Guru Nanak Jayanti - 539th Birth Anniversary of
Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji

Los Angeles, Dec. 08, 2008
Sarabjit Singh/Gary Singh

The 539th Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was celebrated with great fervor at the Los Angeles Convention Center on December 7, 2008 by Gurdwara Sahib Vermont and Sikh Sangat of Southern California. The program, which drew more than 6,000 attendees, commenced at 6am with Asa Ki Vaar keertan by the Akhand Keertani Jatha.

Several Sikh children's keertani jathas as well as various professional keertani jathas from across California and India enlightened the sangat with their melodious keertan of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's bani. The main highlight of the program was the bani discourse delivered by Bhai Daya Singh Sant Rayn of Delhi who emphasized the importance of remembering and applying Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teachings to one's everyday life as the eternal celebration of His birth.

Deputy Chief Downing, commanding officer of the CounterTerrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau of Los Angeles, was among the honored guests who congratulated the Sikh Sangat on the celebration of the Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak. He was honored with a Sarropa and Kirpan from the Sikh Community of Southern California. Mr. Sawan Singh Gogia also gave short speech on the life of Guru Nanak. Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah, Dr. Pyara Singh and Dr. Amrit Singh also congratulated the sangat on this auspicious occassion and thanked the dignitaries for their support of the Sikh community.

Dr. Jaswant Singh Dhillon was also honored for completing his Doctorate on religious theology. The program concluded at 5pm with Ardas, Guru's Hukam and Guru ka Langar. Many Sikh history books and keertan CD's were available for purchase at the adjacent bazaar area. A beautiful Sikh Art Exhibition and rare documents were on display and the SikhPoint.com 2009 Art Calendar was launched.

• Celebrations of 539th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji continue all across the globe with people remembering the guru’s teaching and paying obeisance.

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