BY KALYANI VASAN
LOS ANGELES, CA: Hollywood Sikh Temple Celebrated the 549th Parkash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at the -Friendship Auditorium here. An estimated 3,000-5,000 Sikhs attended the all-day event. The day began at 7 am with prayers or Shabads followed by Kirtans rendered by children. The Friendship Auditorium reverberated with the sounds of faith, prayer and love.
LOS ANGELES, CA: Hollywood Sikh Temple Celebrated the 549th Parkash Utsav of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at the -Friendship Auditorium here. An estimated 3,000-5,000 Sikhs attended the all-day event. The day began at 7 am with prayers or Shabads followed by Kirtans rendered by children. The Friendship Auditorium reverberated with the sounds of faith, prayer and love.
Devotees entered barefoot into the hall and paid respects to the Granth Sahib before sitting on comfortable carpets spread across the floor.
Renowned Raagi Jathas, Bhai Harjinder Singh Srinagar and Sant Anoop Singh from India and Bhai Ajit Singh did soul fulfilling kirtan. Raagi Jathas from all SoCal Gurdwaras,children Jathas and women groups also participated with blissful and gratifying kirtan. The highlight of the event was the joint kirtan by five prominent Raagi Jathas.
Outside the auditorium the grounds featured a big tent for devotees to avail of the complimentary breakfast as well as a 4-course langar. A few steps away the bazaar tempted women to browse through racks of colorful clothing, shawls, and stacks and stacks of costume jewelry. Children ran around playing with friends, all in a picture perfect day for a family outing!
Soon it was time to welcome and commend the guests of honor and the first was the LA Police Chief, Michel Moore. He was introduced by the President of the Hollywood Sikh Temple-Baldev Singh Johal. In his address to the congregation Chief Moore asked, “What could be more appropriate than to pay respect to each of you as believers in a faith where God is not exclusive but rather one of acceptance. As an American and as a believer in a God I believe that we all have a place and role in our society to make it better. The men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are here today to pay tribute and honor this celebration and also to send you a clear message of support. As we are a community that enjoys such richness of cultures we are also one that is experiencing issues of hate and divisiveness and I am here to let you know that should you become a target we will respond and hold accountable those who feel through their ignorance that you hold a lesser position than they.” A plaque of honor was presented to Chief Moore by the Chairman of the Hollywood Sikh Temple-Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah.
The next dignitary who was honored was Democratic Congresswoman who represents the 27th District of California Judy Chu. Chu, known for her stance against discrimination of women, people of color and those of the LGBTQ community is a favorite amongst the immigrant community. In her address to the Sikh congregation Chu said, “I am proud to be a part of Guru Nanak’s birthday celebration as he was a true humanitarian champion who preached against discrimination based on race, caste and status. He promoted equality of all human beings, especially women. It was Guru Nanak who I thought of this past October when 11 Jewish Americans were shot and killed by a white extremist in Pittsburg. I decided at that moment and time to have an inter-religious commemoration that promoted diversity in this society and I made sure to invite Kirtan Singh Khalsa to speak at that event and what he said made me realize that we had so much in common. We have to promote the tolerance of religion in America. I appreciate what Guru Nanak stands for and I enjoy the annual Langar held on the Hill in Washington DC. The Sikh religion has a legacy of peace and that is why I founded the first ever American Sikh Congressional Sikh Caucus. However, I am aware of the many instances of Sikh intolerance that have taken place in America. There is so much more we can do and I am excited about the Democrats taking the House as it will include more women, along with our first Muslim Congresswoman and our first Native American Congresswoman. I would like to present a Congressional recognition to the Hollywood Sikh Temple.”
The representatives of all the LA Sikh temples were then felicitated for their support and cooperation in spreading the word of Guru Nanak Ji. This was followed with a felicitation for the District 4 Councilman David Ryu. Johal thanked the Councilman for arranging the Friendship Auditorium for this event. Council member Ryu extended an indefinite invitation to the Hollywood Sikh Temple to hold this event every year at the Friendship Auditorium. He said his door is always open for interaction and to address any issues the Sikh community faces as fellow Los Angelinos.
Johal extended his thanks to all the Temple Management Committee members who worked tirelessly to put together this event as well as all those who contributed to providing the Langar and the Bazaar.
Renowned Raagi Jathas, Bhai Harjinder Singh Srinagar and Sant Anoop Singh from India and Bhai Ajit Singh did soul fulfilling kirtan. Raagi Jathas from all SoCal Gurdwaras,children Jathas and women groups also participated with blissful and gratifying kirtan. The highlight of the event was the joint kirtan by five prominent Raagi Jathas.
Outside the auditorium the grounds featured a big tent for devotees to avail of the complimentary breakfast as well as a 4-course langar. A few steps away the bazaar tempted women to browse through racks of colorful clothing, shawls, and stacks and stacks of costume jewelry. Children ran around playing with friends, all in a picture perfect day for a family outing!
Soon it was time to welcome and commend the guests of honor and the first was the LA Police Chief, Michel Moore. He was introduced by the President of the Hollywood Sikh Temple-Baldev Singh Johal. In his address to the congregation Chief Moore asked, “What could be more appropriate than to pay respect to each of you as believers in a faith where God is not exclusive but rather one of acceptance. As an American and as a believer in a God I believe that we all have a place and role in our society to make it better. The men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are here today to pay tribute and honor this celebration and also to send you a clear message of support. As we are a community that enjoys such richness of cultures we are also one that is experiencing issues of hate and divisiveness and I am here to let you know that should you become a target we will respond and hold accountable those who feel through their ignorance that you hold a lesser position than they.” A plaque of honor was presented to Chief Moore by the Chairman of the Hollywood Sikh Temple-Dr. Amarjit Singh Marwah.
The next dignitary who was honored was Democratic Congresswoman who represents the 27th District of California Judy Chu. Chu, known for her stance against discrimination of women, people of color and those of the LGBTQ community is a favorite amongst the immigrant community. In her address to the Sikh congregation Chu said, “I am proud to be a part of Guru Nanak’s birthday celebration as he was a true humanitarian champion who preached against discrimination based on race, caste and status. He promoted equality of all human beings, especially women. It was Guru Nanak who I thought of this past October when 11 Jewish Americans were shot and killed by a white extremist in Pittsburg. I decided at that moment and time to have an inter-religious commemoration that promoted diversity in this society and I made sure to invite Kirtan Singh Khalsa to speak at that event and what he said made me realize that we had so much in common. We have to promote the tolerance of religion in America. I appreciate what Guru Nanak stands for and I enjoy the annual Langar held on the Hill in Washington DC. The Sikh religion has a legacy of peace and that is why I founded the first ever American Sikh Congressional Sikh Caucus. However, I am aware of the many instances of Sikh intolerance that have taken place in America. There is so much more we can do and I am excited about the Democrats taking the House as it will include more women, along with our first Muslim Congresswoman and our first Native American Congresswoman. I would like to present a Congressional recognition to the Hollywood Sikh Temple.”
The representatives of all the LA Sikh temples were then felicitated for their support and cooperation in spreading the word of Guru Nanak Ji. This was followed with a felicitation for the District 4 Councilman David Ryu. Johal thanked the Councilman for arranging the Friendship Auditorium for this event. Council member Ryu extended an indefinite invitation to the Hollywood Sikh Temple to hold this event every year at the Friendship Auditorium. He said his door is always open for interaction and to address any issues the Sikh community faces as fellow Los Angelinos.
Johal extended his thanks to all the Temple Management Committee members who worked tirelessly to put together this event as well as all those who contributed to providing the Langar and the Bazaar.
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