Darbar-e Khalsa (IIGS) celebrate 344th Birthday
of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Los Angeles, Dec. 26, 2010
NRIpress
It was glorious warm and sunny day with a clear blue sky all day on Saturday, December 25, 2010, when IIGS ( Darbar-e-Khalsa) celebrated 344th Birthday of 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Fairplex-La County Fairgrounds, California, USA. The Parkash ceremony of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji was started from7 AM onward in the main hall which was tastefully decorated in gold color.
The stage for Sri Guru Granth Sahib was so professionally decorated that one could have Darshan of Guru Sahib from a distance as it was on a much higher platform.
At about 7am Asa Di Vaar kirtan started by Akhand Kirtani Jatha Bhai Nirmal Singh Nagpuri, Hazuri Ragi, Darbar Sahib. It lasted till about 9 AM and then after Ardaas, Hukum Nama and Karah Parshaad was distributed to the sangat. There after Gurbani Shabad Kirtan was recited by Bhai Daljit Singh Jammu Wale (Gurdwara Apple Valley) and followed by another Jatha of Bhai Sobha Singh (Gurdwara Norco). It was followed by children groups of Gurdwara Buena Park, Gurdwara Walnut, Santa Ana, Riverside, Alhambra, Valley Sikh Temple, Khalsa Care Foundation, and GRD Ashram Jadha. At 10:20 AM the Shabad Kirtan continued by various Ragi Jathas i.e. Singhnia da Jatha (West Covina) and Bhai Mardana Institute, Ujjal Didar Singh Ji, Bhai Ajit Singh (Gurdwara Baba Deep singh, Las Vegas, IGS Youth Group, Bhai Ajit Singh Nimana G. Vermont, Guru Ram Das Ashram, Los Angeles. Bhai Gian Singh Delhi Wale,G. Valley Sikh Temple.Then there a Kavita was recited by Bhai Hardev Singh Ji and Sathi. Gazal Bhai Nand Lal Ji: Bibi Kulwant Kaur.Again Gurbani Shabad Kirtan was recited by Bhai Amarjit Singh Bareilly Wale ( G. Khalsa Care Fdn.),Bhai Gurdeep Singh, Sucha singh (G. Lankershim), Bhai anantvir singh Naib Singh & Bhai Parminder Singh (G. Riverside) IGS Kirtani Jatha and a short talk : Sardarni Jasjit Kaur.
Then there were Awards and Honors for distinguish Sewadars. It followed by Shabad Kirtan again at 12:30 by IGS Jatha, Bhai Gurdeep Sigh, Sucha Singh, Bhai Nirmal Singh , Kaur Foundation, United Sikhs, Syed Naeem Haider, Bhai Verinder Singh (G. Raseda) and followed by joint performance by five local Ragi Jathas Bhai Raghbir Singh (G. Walnut):: Bhai Jaswant Singh, Zire Wale, Bhai Jagir Singh Hoshiarpur Wale, (G. B.Park) Bhai Gurmukh singh (G. W. Covina) Bhai Rajinder Singh Sital. While the program was going on inside the hall, outside there were food stalls were serving snacks, tasty Chana Bhathuras, Jalebis, Gol Gappa, sweets, tea and other Indian dishes The bazar was consisting of booths indoor and out doors, where all kind of Indian clothing for men, women and children, Jewellary, religious books, Shabad Kirtan tapes, Karah, Kangha, Kirpan and Khandas and so on. It was like a mela. Around noon, devotees started coming in big groups.It was a great celebration and everyone enjoyed the day.
The closing ceremony was at 4 PM , CEREMONIAL SEND OFF TO SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB BY HELICOPTER:
About 3.30pm, after Ardas, the program inside comes to a close. As the Sawaari of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji started to leave the Hall for the
Khalsa Parade, the chanting of Wahe-Guru …Wahe-Guru, fills the air.The Sadh Sangat bowed down to the ground in complete reverence
as Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji’s Palki passes by.
The Parade begane with the beat of the Nagaara (Khalsa drum) and playing of Gatka. Sikh children were carrying Khalsa and American flags, joyfully line up to lead the Parade. Parade distance was about 1/4 mile to reach helicopter
Thousands of devotees in their multi-colored turbans and dupattas, walked delightfully behind Sri Guru Granth Sahib’s Golden Paalki. While the Panj Piaraas escorted the Palki, the Sangat took turn
to shoulder-carry the Palki, and the overhead colorful umbrella to the waiting helicopter.
Limited people were allowed near helicopter. After Ardas, Sri Guru Granth Sahib’s helicopter slowly started lifting up and thousands people reverberated with the thunderous Jaikaraas of Bole So Nihaal, Sat Sri Akaal.
This was a memorable annual celebration of the Dasmesh Gurpurab by NRIs in LA area
