BY DEVIKA MEHTA
POMONA, CA - For the 32nd time, the Sikh community of California and the neighboring states came together at ‘Darbar-E-Khalsa’ to celebrate the 351st birthday of their beloved tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singhji with deep love and devotion. The setting was the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, here, where the International Institute of...
POMONA, CA - For the 32nd time, the Sikh community of California and the neighboring states came together at ‘Darbar-E-Khalsa’ to celebrate the 351st birthday of their beloved tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singhji with deep love and devotion. The setting was the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, here, where the International Institute of...
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Gurmat Studies pulled together the spectacular annual event with the support and cooperation of the several gurdwaras and Sikh organizations in Southern California. The commemoration involved an unparalleled mix of reverence, pomp, prayers, chants, feasting, recreation and a ceremonial send-off of to the Guru Granth Sahibji by helicopter.
On December 25, from 7am to 4:30 pm thousand of devotees poured into the venue, marking the event as the largest congregation of Sikhs in Southern California. The growing popularity of this event can be witnessed in sheer numbers: 700 devotees in attendance in 1986 to over 15,000 this year. Families and friends came together to seek Guru Sahib’s blessings before the new year. The sight was mesmerizing and enchanting; men clad in kurta pyjamas and colorful turbans, women with radiant, dupatta covered heads; all of them painting a picture of holiness, happiness and extreme peace.
The central hall was packed with devotees who paid their obeisance to Sikhism’s spiritual guide, Guru Granth Sahibji, and listened to the Shabad Kirtan performed by various gurdwara groups, and individuals highlighting the principles and inspirations of the tenth guru. Several performances by trained professionals, young groups and children from different SoCal gurdwaras made it an ideal venue for Sikhs from all over to connect with each other and celebrate community and togetherness.
Five prominent Jathas of Southern California, Bhai Raghbir Singh (Gurdwara Walnut), Bhai Jaswant Singh (Sikh Education, Inland Empire), Bhai Varinder Singh (Khalsa Care Foundation), Bhai Surdeep Singh, and Professor Ranjit Singh (Bhai Mardana Academy) jointly performed Keertan. Gurdwaras from Apple Valley, Bakersfield, Lankershim, Rosemead, Guru Ram Das Ashram and Vermont also participated in the Darbar-e-Khalsa event. Sardarni Balbir Kaur from Amritsar also gave a delightful performance in front of thousands of attendees. Team IIGS also introduced and honoured SG Paul Singh, one of the foundation’s initial campaigners, from India during the event. Singh laid emphasis on the guiding principles of Sikhism and mentioned that ‘Khalsa Panth is the only divine path and one who follows it finds greater significance in life.’
Outside, the langar area welcomed mingling families to warm delicious meals served free. The food items included bhajias, chhole bhature, dosas, jalebis, sandwiches, samosas and a variety of sweets. Some other stalls showcased and sold Sikh artifacts, religious paintings, traditional clothing, inspiring books and digital media. In their vote of thanks, IIGS members congratulated the congregation for the overwhelming participation. Upon conclusion, a swarm of people, walking behind a huge procession (including Nagaara, Panj Pyaras, Gatka players and golden palki) and chanting “Waheguru, Waheguru”, gave a heart-touching farewell to the Guru Granth Sahibji, which was later carried by a helicopter to the foundation headquarters in Orange County. As the chopper flew by, thousands of devotees, their faces craned toward the skies sent off their respected Guru with thunderous chantsand a promise to follow the guiding principles of Sikhism. The day-long event was a categorical success as it was able to reinvigorate the spirit at the individual level and at the collective level made clear that the Khalsa Panth is alive and prospering.
On December 25, from 7am to 4:30 pm thousand of devotees poured into the venue, marking the event as the largest congregation of Sikhs in Southern California. The growing popularity of this event can be witnessed in sheer numbers: 700 devotees in attendance in 1986 to over 15,000 this year. Families and friends came together to seek Guru Sahib’s blessings before the new year. The sight was mesmerizing and enchanting; men clad in kurta pyjamas and colorful turbans, women with radiant, dupatta covered heads; all of them painting a picture of holiness, happiness and extreme peace.
The central hall was packed with devotees who paid their obeisance to Sikhism’s spiritual guide, Guru Granth Sahibji, and listened to the Shabad Kirtan performed by various gurdwara groups, and individuals highlighting the principles and inspirations of the tenth guru. Several performances by trained professionals, young groups and children from different SoCal gurdwaras made it an ideal venue for Sikhs from all over to connect with each other and celebrate community and togetherness.
Five prominent Jathas of Southern California, Bhai Raghbir Singh (Gurdwara Walnut), Bhai Jaswant Singh (Sikh Education, Inland Empire), Bhai Varinder Singh (Khalsa Care Foundation), Bhai Surdeep Singh, and Professor Ranjit Singh (Bhai Mardana Academy) jointly performed Keertan. Gurdwaras from Apple Valley, Bakersfield, Lankershim, Rosemead, Guru Ram Das Ashram and Vermont also participated in the Darbar-e-Khalsa event. Sardarni Balbir Kaur from Amritsar also gave a delightful performance in front of thousands of attendees. Team IIGS also introduced and honoured SG Paul Singh, one of the foundation’s initial campaigners, from India during the event. Singh laid emphasis on the guiding principles of Sikhism and mentioned that ‘Khalsa Panth is the only divine path and one who follows it finds greater significance in life.’
Outside, the langar area welcomed mingling families to warm delicious meals served free. The food items included bhajias, chhole bhature, dosas, jalebis, sandwiches, samosas and a variety of sweets. Some other stalls showcased and sold Sikh artifacts, religious paintings, traditional clothing, inspiring books and digital media. In their vote of thanks, IIGS members congratulated the congregation for the overwhelming participation. Upon conclusion, a swarm of people, walking behind a huge procession (including Nagaara, Panj Pyaras, Gatka players and golden palki) and chanting “Waheguru, Waheguru”, gave a heart-touching farewell to the Guru Granth Sahibji, which was later carried by a helicopter to the foundation headquarters in Orange County. As the chopper flew by, thousands of devotees, their faces craned toward the skies sent off their respected Guru with thunderous chantsand a promise to follow the guiding principles of Sikhism. The day-long event was a categorical success as it was able to reinvigorate the spirit at the individual level and at the collective level made clear that the Khalsa Panth is alive and prospering.
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