BY DEEPINDER SINGH
LOS ANGELES, CA – Nearly 15,000 Sikhs from across California and around gathered at the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 8 to celebrate Baisakhi with religious fervor and enthusiasm. Sikhs all over the world celebrate Baisakhi as the day of their identity as Khalsa. On the day of Baisakhi in 1699,
LOS ANGELES, CA – Nearly 15,000 Sikhs from across California and around gathered at the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 8 to celebrate Baisakhi with religious fervor and enthusiasm. Sikhs all over the world celebrate Baisakhi as the day of their identity as Khalsa. On the day of Baisakhi in 1699,
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Guru Gobind Singh created a cultural revolution in the form of ‘Khalsa,’ that brought together the followers of truth from all backgrounds, social status and walks of life to fight for the peaceful realization of social justice and religious freedom. Several Federal, County and City dignitaries attended the event, in addition to the leaders from Sikh faith and received and gave presentations during the event. Giani Ranjit Singh, Head Granthi from Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, New Delhi spoke eloquently acknowledging the contributions to the Panth Khalsa by Harbhajan Singh Yogi and his wife Bhai Sahiba Bibi Inderjit Kaur Khalsa and Siri Sikdar Sahiba Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa, who are carrying on the mission.
U.S. Congresswoman of the 27th District Judy Chu who attended the program for the eighteenth year in a row spoke poignantly highlighting her work in support of the Sikh community and congratulated the community on this occasion. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti presented a Proclamation to Bhai Sahiba Bibi Inderjit Kaur and the Sikh leadership. The Mayor also gave an inspiring speech mentioning love as the central focus of the Sikh community, the spirit of langar, serving the homeless, and his hopes to visit the Golden Temple during his trip to India this winter.
“Spirit of Baisakhi Awards” and Siropas (the robe of honor) were presented on behalf of the Sikh Community of Southern California to several distinguished individuals and organizations for their examples of leadership. Those included Congresswoman Chu; Garcetti; Bhai Sahiba Bibi Inderjit Kaur Khalsa; Siri Sikdar Sahiba Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa; Giani Ranjit Singh, Head Granthi of the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib; Gurinder Singh Khalsa, Founder and Chairman of Sikhs PAC; Representatives from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s office; Jaswant Singh Jhawar and the Sadh Sangat of Inland Sikh Education Empire; the Sadh Sangat of Sikh Temple Riverside and The Next-Generation Management Committee.
The day began at 3:30 am at Guru Ram Das Ashram in West Los Angeles where the youth and adults of Bhai Avtar Singh Kirtan Taksal under the direction of Surinder Singh recited the “Asa di Var”. Guru Granth Sahib was then escorted by motorcycle police in a Grand Procession, with Khalsa flags flying, all the way to the Los Angeles Convention Center, where Guru Sahib arrived at 7 am to begin the Kirtan Darbar. The day’s main Kirtan program included many hymns written by, about or in praise of Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa. More than 40 women’s, children’s and Ragi Jathas performed throughout the program from all over Southern California.
Dada Singh from Fresno, along with the other Kirtan Jathas, gave a beautiful talk about Guru Gobind Singh’s life and legacy.
The final five Ragi Jathas consisting of Bhai Jaswant Singh, Bhai Ragbir Singh, Bhai Varinder Singh, Bhai Surdeep Singh and Professor Ranjit Singh all sang together with beautiful devotion. Additionally, Sant Anoop Singh and Partap Brothers also participated in the Kirtan program. The Guru Ram Das Ashram Kirtan Jatha played the closing Kirtan which included “Anand Sahib” and “Song of the Khalsa” before Guru Granth Sahib was escorted outdoors for the beginning of the resplendent Nagar Kirtan.
The program was emceed by Kirtan-Singh Khalsa, of Guru Ram Das Ashram along with Harvinder Singh, from Khalsa Care Foundation. Guru’s Langar was served throughout the day and was prepared at the Hollywood Sikh Temple (Gurdwara Vermont) by volunteers from across Southern California and thousands of devotees who attended the program. Many individuals contributed to doing the Langar Sewa, including Hardip Singh Virdi, who coordinated the Sewa, Amarjit Singh, Sarabjit Singh, Bhai Chattar Singh, Har Nam Singh, Sanrajpreet Rai Kaur, Manjit Singh Khalsa, Manjit Singh, Bicky Singh and the Bhai Kanhaiya Sewa Dal. The ‘Krah Parshad’ was prepared by the Bhai Kanhaiya Sewa Dal.
The Nagar Kirtan was coordinated by Khalsa Care Foundation with the active participation of all the Gurdwaras of SoCal. The Guru Granth Sahib was placed on the magnificent float made to look truly worthy of a King. Members of the congregation and Raagi Jathas were also sitting on this float and sang the Shabads throughout the streets of Los Angeles. The parade started out with many Jai Karas. Panj Pyaras, the five beloved one’s walked in front of the main float followed by the sea of Sikh Sangat and three other floats. One of the floats present during the parade was showcased during the rose parade as well. The parade went on the 1.5-mile route on the roads of Los Angeles, singing verses from Guru Granth Sahib. Many sumptuous sweets and snacks were served to the devotees during and after the parade. A team of volunteers from Fresno served fresh orange juice throughout the day. Hundreds of volunteers are involved for months in advance in making the day special. One of the annual highlights was the special design and decorations of the Darbar Hall by Seva Kaur Khalsa who once again made the room elegant, festive, bright and full of Guru’s love. An exquisite backdrop of murals which were copies of Sikh “warrior spirit” art painted by Mexican Artist Teresa Jimenez were displayed in the main hall. The Sikh martial art Gathka was showcased at the entrance of the convention center where children and youth demonstrated their skills. Gatka players were wearing the traditional Sikh clothing, complete with turbans and robes.
U.S. Congresswoman of the 27th District Judy Chu who attended the program for the eighteenth year in a row spoke poignantly highlighting her work in support of the Sikh community and congratulated the community on this occasion. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti presented a Proclamation to Bhai Sahiba Bibi Inderjit Kaur and the Sikh leadership. The Mayor also gave an inspiring speech mentioning love as the central focus of the Sikh community, the spirit of langar, serving the homeless, and his hopes to visit the Golden Temple during his trip to India this winter.
“Spirit of Baisakhi Awards” and Siropas (the robe of honor) were presented on behalf of the Sikh Community of Southern California to several distinguished individuals and organizations for their examples of leadership. Those included Congresswoman Chu; Garcetti; Bhai Sahiba Bibi Inderjit Kaur Khalsa; Siri Sikdar Sahiba Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa; Giani Ranjit Singh, Head Granthi of the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib; Gurinder Singh Khalsa, Founder and Chairman of Sikhs PAC; Representatives from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s office; Jaswant Singh Jhawar and the Sadh Sangat of Inland Sikh Education Empire; the Sadh Sangat of Sikh Temple Riverside and The Next-Generation Management Committee.
The day began at 3:30 am at Guru Ram Das Ashram in West Los Angeles where the youth and adults of Bhai Avtar Singh Kirtan Taksal under the direction of Surinder Singh recited the “Asa di Var”. Guru Granth Sahib was then escorted by motorcycle police in a Grand Procession, with Khalsa flags flying, all the way to the Los Angeles Convention Center, where Guru Sahib arrived at 7 am to begin the Kirtan Darbar. The day’s main Kirtan program included many hymns written by, about or in praise of Guru Gobind Singh and the Khalsa. More than 40 women’s, children’s and Ragi Jathas performed throughout the program from all over Southern California.
Dada Singh from Fresno, along with the other Kirtan Jathas, gave a beautiful talk about Guru Gobind Singh’s life and legacy.
The final five Ragi Jathas consisting of Bhai Jaswant Singh, Bhai Ragbir Singh, Bhai Varinder Singh, Bhai Surdeep Singh and Professor Ranjit Singh all sang together with beautiful devotion. Additionally, Sant Anoop Singh and Partap Brothers also participated in the Kirtan program. The Guru Ram Das Ashram Kirtan Jatha played the closing Kirtan which included “Anand Sahib” and “Song of the Khalsa” before Guru Granth Sahib was escorted outdoors for the beginning of the resplendent Nagar Kirtan.
The program was emceed by Kirtan-Singh Khalsa, of Guru Ram Das Ashram along with Harvinder Singh, from Khalsa Care Foundation. Guru’s Langar was served throughout the day and was prepared at the Hollywood Sikh Temple (Gurdwara Vermont) by volunteers from across Southern California and thousands of devotees who attended the program. Many individuals contributed to doing the Langar Sewa, including Hardip Singh Virdi, who coordinated the Sewa, Amarjit Singh, Sarabjit Singh, Bhai Chattar Singh, Har Nam Singh, Sanrajpreet Rai Kaur, Manjit Singh Khalsa, Manjit Singh, Bicky Singh and the Bhai Kanhaiya Sewa Dal. The ‘Krah Parshad’ was prepared by the Bhai Kanhaiya Sewa Dal.
The Nagar Kirtan was coordinated by Khalsa Care Foundation with the active participation of all the Gurdwaras of SoCal. The Guru Granth Sahib was placed on the magnificent float made to look truly worthy of a King. Members of the congregation and Raagi Jathas were also sitting on this float and sang the Shabads throughout the streets of Los Angeles. The parade started out with many Jai Karas. Panj Pyaras, the five beloved one’s walked in front of the main float followed by the sea of Sikh Sangat and three other floats. One of the floats present during the parade was showcased during the rose parade as well. The parade went on the 1.5-mile route on the roads of Los Angeles, singing verses from Guru Granth Sahib. Many sumptuous sweets and snacks were served to the devotees during and after the parade. A team of volunteers from Fresno served fresh orange juice throughout the day. Hundreds of volunteers are involved for months in advance in making the day special. One of the annual highlights was the special design and decorations of the Darbar Hall by Seva Kaur Khalsa who once again made the room elegant, festive, bright and full of Guru’s love. An exquisite backdrop of murals which were copies of Sikh “warrior spirit” art painted by Mexican Artist Teresa Jimenez were displayed in the main hall. The Sikh martial art Gathka was showcased at the entrance of the convention center where children and youth demonstrated their skills. Gatka players were wearing the traditional Sikh clothing, complete with turbans and robes.
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