Posts Tagged ‘vaisakhi 2010’

SikhNet article on Bradford Gurdwara Vaisakhi Programme

Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

Bhai Jasjit Singh has written an article on Sikhnet about the Bradford Gurdwara Vaisakhi  childrens programme.  The programme took place at Ramgharia Gurdwara, Bolton Road, Bradford. BD3 0ND.

Children from most of Bradfords gurdwaras took part including children from Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurdwaras Saturday kirtan class and Gurdwaras Tuesday Base youth programme.

http://www.sikhnet.com/news/sikh-children-organise-vasakhi-programme-bradford-gurdwara-raise-215-sikhnet

Local Newspaper Coverage of Bradford’s Nagar Kirtan

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Please find below the link for Bradford’s Telegraph & Argus report on the City’s Nagar Kirtan this year:

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8106137.Celebrating_the_birth_of_a_faith/

Vaisakhi 1699 – An Eyewitness Account

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Bhai Veer Singh mentions Abu-ul-Trafi in his book. He was spying on Guru Gobind Singh for a year and a half. This is how the incident is recorded in this spy’s journal:

On the day Guru Gobind Singh Ji prepared Amrit in Anandpur, the attendance in the Diwan was about 35 to 40 thousands. The Mughals had four thrones (seats of Imperial Power), Delhi, Agra, Lahore and Kalanur, but the grandeur of Guru Ji’s throne was in a class by itself. The grandeur of this throne was out of this world.

Guru Ji came to the Diwan and, unsheathing his sword, spoke in his thundering voice that he needed a head. No questions or hesitation at all, Bhai Dya Ram came forward to Guru Ji. Guru Ji right in front of all, cut off his head from the body in one stroke. Every body present was stunned. Then Guru Ji again thundered and demanded one more head. Right on Guru’s call, Dharam Chand got up, came to Guru Ji, bowed his head and said here is my offering of my head. Guru Ji, again, in one stroke cut off Dharam Chand’s head from his body.

Now there was a big commotion in the Diwan. But Guru Ji in his thundering voice went on demanding heads, one after the other. Himmat Rai, Mohkam Chand and Sahib Ram got up and offered their heads. Guru Ji cut off the heads of these three also.

Many from the congregation went to Guru Ji’s mother, and narrated the whole happenings in the Diwan to Mata Ji.

Guru Ji cleaned up the blood from the five bodies and heads, and even washed the floor, Then the Guru of these infidels, stitched one head with other body, one by one. This process took about three hours. Then he covered these dead bodies with white sheets.

The Guru of the infidels then took a cauldron made of stone and put an iron wok without handles on top of it. Poured water into the wok and started preparing the “Amrit” (Aab-e-hyat – Elixir of life). The infidel Guru kept churning the water with his sword and kept on reciting his Kalma (Gurbani). This process went on for 1.5 to 2 hours. During this time, a lady from Guru’s house came and put something in that water. Now the Amrit “Elixir” was ready.

From the corpses, he took the covering sheets off. First he sat on the head side of Dya Ram, and poured AMRIT “Elixir” in his mouth, then poured some on his head and sprinkled some on his body, and then he asked the dead body to say “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.” As if on his Guru’s Command, Dya Ram got up and repeated in his bold voice,”Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.”

It appeared that in the entire congregation every body was so stunned and as if stopped breathing. There was pin-drop silence. All those present were mesmerized with their Guru’s miracle. In the same manner, one after the other, Guru made the other four alive too.

Then, he took all five of them inside a tent. After a while Guru Ji along with the five came out. The Five were now wearing new attire. Those five risen from the dead were standing in a line. Then Guru came in front of them and took the “Bir Asan” (Posture of the brave – kneeling on one knee) and asked for the Amrit “Elixir.” At this point, these five asked, what are you offering to get this Amrit “Elixir.” Then Guru said that I would sacrifice my parents and my sons for your sake. Then these five gave Amrit “Elixir” to Guru Ji, and his name was changed to “Gobind Singh.” The word “Singh” was attached with other five’s too – Dya Singh, Dharam Singh, Himmat Singh, Mohkam Singh and Sahib Singh.

Abu-el-Trafi writes that I was very remorseful and cried like a baby. After that, thousands took the AMRIT “Elixir”. Even, I was attracted by a magnetic force and with utmost regret fell on Guru’s feet. I requested Guru to give me Amrit (Aaab-e-hyat) too. Guru Ji already knew about my role as a spy and a traitor, put his hand on my back, gave me Amrit and changed my name to Ajmer Singh. Just with this act, my sins of numerous lives got washed away. I participated in many wars.

On that day, I sent my last report to Emperor Aurang Zeb. In this report I wrote my eyewitness account in details. I also warned Aurang Zeb in the strongest possible words not to dare challenge the incarnation of God, and desist from cruel policies and that if he did not listen to and act on my advise, then God forbid, he would lose all – his throne and family.

Gyani Dalip Singh “Komal” of Dhaunola informed that this book is lying in the archives of Aligarh University.”

Vaisakhi Programme – Wednesday 14th April

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Below is the brief itinerary for Vaisakhi – 14th April

Nishaan Sahib Ji seva will take place around 12:30pm

The bhog of the Shri Akhand Paath Sahib ji which was started on Monday morning, will take place on Wednesday 14th April at around 5:30pm followed by the recitation of Rehraas Sahib Ji.

Bhai Jagjit Singh Ji (Wakefield), will then present the next programme in the series of Shabad Guru Smagams. Below is a brief description of what to be expected, in the words of bhai sahib himself:

As Vaisakhi is here, many young Sikhs go to Nagar keertans and other events. It is important to realise that Vaisakhi has much more significance than merely walking around town going from Gurdwara to Gurdwara, having food and chatting with friends that we may have not seen for a while. This is not to denigrate the Nagar keertan, but a realisation of the event in 1699. How it was the culmination of the work of our Guru Sahibaan to create the Khalsa, a nation that has the aim to rejuvenate the values of the Sat, Sontokh, Daya  & Dharam in the age of Kalyug. A nation of Saint soldiers, illuminated with the essence of Gurmat Naam, that will blaze a glorious path that is unlike anything humanity has witnessed.

Now 300 years on, how far are we from this path, and how much do we understand the level of expectation that Guru Ji placed in any of us who call ourselves Sikhs?

How do we go before our Guru Ji in humility so that he may place his hand on our heads, so that we may receive his blessings, and fulfil the mission that he expects his Khalsa to complete?

These programmes will be in English and Punjabi, and are especially for the next generation of Sikh Youth who wish to develop their understanding of Gurmat philosophy.

Following bhai sahib’s lecture there will be Akhand Keertan upto 9pm, and then samaapti for the evening.

Please be sure to attend.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Vaisakhi 2010

Friday, April 9th, 2010

This years Vaisakhi Nagar Keertan will take place on Sunday 18th April 2010.

It will reach Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dev Ji at approximately 12:00 noon