Gurpurab is celebrated at Rashtrapati Bhawan since the times of Dr Rajendra Prasad. President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined prayers at the Rashtrapati Bhawan premises.

A Gurbani (hymn) recital was organised on the occasion at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace.

Ansari and Modi were among the dignitaries who attended the event. The Gurbani Kirtam was conducted by Bhai Chamanjit Singh.

In a series of tweets Thursday, Modi called on the people to follow the path of compassion, truth and peace as shown by #Guru Nanak.

“I want to congratulate our Sikh friends in the United States and around the world on the anniversary of the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

During his lifetime in the 15th and 16th centuries, Guru Nanak traveled throughout the region and world promoting equality, diversity, compassion, and tolerance, which became the core principles of Sikhism.

The Sikh American community enriches the United States every day with its embodiment of these values, which are shared not just by Sikhs but by all Americans.”

~ Edited By Tapasleen Kaur
~ Source: whitehouse.gov

“If your kids fancy the fictional American superheroes, show them this film for sure. They must know our ‘heroes’ lived for real, fought for real and had no superpowers except for unflinching courage and devotion”-Times of India.

The film tells the heroic story of the last of the ten living Sikh Gurus – Guru Gobind Singh’s four sons (Sahibzaade), who sacrificed their lives to safeguard their religion and fight against the injustice, religious fanaticism and tyranny of the Mughals.

Chaar Sahibzaade touches you with its sincerity as it narrates this slice of history backed by painstaking research on the subject. You can feel the life in animated characters of the movie. The movie manages to touch the emotions deep attached to Sikhism. By the end of the movie, you will find yourself emotionally attached with the heroic sacrifices made the by Sahibzaades.

You can feel the presence of Dashmesh Pita so real and powerful.

Harry Baweja manages to inspire and touch your heart by bringing the historic event to life with great conviction.

A Must Watch for sure!

‘Like & Share’ to spread the Sikh History Worldwide!

~ Tapasleen Kaur
~ New Delhi, 8th Nov ’14

Guru Nanak was the first Guru of the Sikhs. He was also the founder of the Sikh religion. He travelled far and wide. Once he visited Lahore. Lahore is a big town in Paki­stan. A very rich man named Duni Chand lived there. He was so rich that he had seven million rupees. To show his riches, he had put seven flags on his house. On the day when the Guru arrived, he was giving a sharadh. A sharadh is a big feast which the Hindus offer to the Brahmans.

They think that whatever they give to the Brahmans after the feast, reaches their dead forefathers in the next world. They pre­pare the best food and give away fine clothes and money to the Brahmans on this day. They call it Dakshana. Duni Chand had invited many Brahmans and saints on the Sharadh of his father. He invited Guru Nanak too.

Guru Nanak sat down on one side. He told Duni Chand that he would like to wait till the Brahmans had eaten their food. Duni Chand agreed to this and gave a very fine feast, offering money and clothes to the Brahmans as Dakshana. He believed that all this would reach his dead father. When the Brahmans had gone, Duni Chand asked the Guru to have some food. The Gum gave a smile.

“Duni Chand,” he said, “Do you think that your father is no longer hungry? Have your gifts reached him?”

“Yes, sir,” said Duni Chand. “The Brahmans have eaten so much that my father needs no more food for at least a year He also has enough money and clothes to last for one year.”

“Duni Chand,” said the Guru laughing, “The Brahmans ate food; they will sell the clothes and spend all the money. I cannot understand how it can reach your dead father.”

“You are right, sir,” said Duni Chand, “You cannot understand it, neither can I. But it’s God’s will. The Brahman tells us so and we all believe it. I thought you were a Brahman and knew about it, but I am glad I didn’t, waste my food on you.”

You did the right thing, Duni Chand said the Guru, “I cannot carry your food to your father and that’s why I did not like to let your food go to waste. You may feast the Brahmans in any way you like. I myself don’t need any food I would be pleased if you would do me another favour instead.”

“Yes, gladly,” replied Duni Chand.

“Here is a sewing needle,” said the Guru. “Keep it with you- use it if you like. I would like you to give my needle back to me in the next world when we meet after death.”

Duni Chand did not quite understand the Guru and said, “How can I carry this needle with me when I die?”

“If an old Brahman can carry enough clothes, food and money to last for a whole year, not only for your father but also for many others,” said the Guru, “I wonder why this small needle should seem too heavy for you to carry! If the Brahmans refuse to do this work, how will you take all your money, horses, gold and other costly things into the next world?”

The idea went home to Duni Chand. He asked for the Guru’s advice. “Duni Chand,” said the Guru, “Work hard, share your earnings with the needy and remember God. Don t worry about your dead forefathers.”

“That’s what I already do Sir”, said Duni Chand. “I have hundreds of servants who work for me. I give a lot of money and clothes to Brahmans and holy men who come and sing hymns in my house”.

“This is not the way to do it, Duni Chand” said the Guru.

“Give away all your money to the poor and the needy. You haven’t earned it by honest labour. Start going to your farm. Work hard among your servants. Whatever you eat in this way, share equally among all the workers. Then from your own share giveaway as much as you can in charity. Look upon your servants as brothers and love everybody. Sit among them when you find time and sing God’s praises. This is the true way. Duni Chand. One can expect to receive in the next world only that, which one earns by honest labour and gives away in charity to
the needy in this world.”

Duni Chand understood the Guru’s advice. He gave up his princely life and started working with his own hands. His wife also did the same.

Duni Chand’s house became a temple where rich and poor, black and white, high and low, all sang songs of God. Duni Chand and his wife became the Guru’s followers and helped many others to follow the Guru’s Way.

“If a thief steals something and gives it in Dakshana for his forefathers, The stolen Dakshana will be noticed in God’s court and hence make the forefathers thieves when they possess them over there. It is only justice, therefore, to cut off the hands of those who arrange this selfish deal. (Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the king of kings and the saint of saints)

“Work hard and share your earnings with the needy Nanak; thus shall you find the way to God’s grace.” (Satguru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the king of kings and the saint of saints)

~ Edited by Tapasleen Kaur
~ New Delhi, 8th Nov ’14

He’s almost like a myth, a legend. Such a great man, who followed the legacies of past 9 Nanaks, and a Nanak himself, it is unfathomable for this insignificantly small mind to grasp the greatness of Guru Gobind Singh.

He’s a personality, who has 9 others and yet another one of his very own – in the visage of the tenth and last human Guru of the Sikhs. How does one even define such a man, let alone imagine him in flesh and blood, right before our very eyes? Spiritually, we all endeavour to connect to him, and through him, travel all the way back to Nanak. I have always believed, and still strongly do, that if we have not understood Guru Nanak, how can we understand Guru Gobind Singh? As Sikhs, we are all alike him, and the Guru has always inspired that. Many have not understood that the teachings of Guru Nanak and of Guru Gobind Singh bear no difference. The pen of Gobind was the sword of Nanak. I have no doubt about that.

My only physical contact with the Guru on a daily basis is the big handsome portrait of Him that adorns my room, right above the bed. I always look up at his portrait when I get up in the morning, whenever leaving home and on entering my room. The only natural expressions that resound from the heart through the lips is ‘Dhan Guru Nanak! Dhan Dhan Sahib Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj! Dhan Dhan Dhan Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru!’

When I look at the beautifully crafted and soulfully portrayed visage of the Guru, my soul assures me that my Guru must have been like that. His works and life calculate to the image before my eyes. Looking deeper within the colours on his person, they come alive, as soon as I see my own reflection on the glass that is held in its frame.

When I see myself in the mirror, the Guru’s portrait is reflected in it. Every single time I stand before the mirror, I see my Guru. The very form I have as a Sikh is a testimony of his Khalsa and of his form. As I tie my dastaar, I feel as though my Guru is dressing me. When I brush my flowing beard, I feel as though it is my Guru’s energy rushing through the kesh. Each day, he reminds me, through my very own appearance – of my heritage, history and of my great Gurus and of their loving GurSikhs. We take Sikhi for granted and are so liberal minded, filled with so much manmat, that we loose sight of the Guru. We fail him miserably, and yet he fought with all his might and spirit in defence of the Sikhi we are living today. He never failed us, and it brings me to tears to witness the very people who he fought for treat him like as though he did nothing extraoridinary . So much apathy! Even those who are GurSikh, and yet are not perfect in their rehat and Sikhi are guilty of tearing apart the Guru’s sacrifices.

‘Help me, O Guru Sahib, to not be like those who claim to be your Sikhs but are only there in name, and not in deed. Protect me from maladies that have inflicted such manmukhs. Bless me with your spirit and energy to the point that I feel there is no difference between yourself and your Sikh.’ I pray through my soul to him. He knows me inside and out, and he knows when I’m making up emotions and when I’m deep down sincere. He listens to the sincere ones, and I can tell you, he works them out in your benefit, and to the benefit of the Panth. To have the Darshan of Guru Sahib is, for many of us, an unimaginable blessing. ‘Are we worthy?’ we ask ourselves. But the Guru says, ‘Try and make yourself worthy, I’m all ready waiting to reveal myself to you.’

So never underestimate your potential to connect to the Guru. He’s right before us, but we do not see him, because we hardly ever rise above our material senses. I believe that to see him, try through the eyes of the soul which has, who knows, seen him in a past life. Hear him, through the soul, which may have been in his sangat in his times. And feel him, through your very soul, which must have been a Sikh standing by his side in the battlefield.

Today, if I imagine a material witness of the Guru, in flesh and blood, my soul says it is possible. There will be those who doubt – but who didn’t doubt the Guru even during his times? I listen to the voice within, it could never be wrong, especially if it is guided by the teachings of our Gurus. With the Grace of the Guru, I have realised that the HE is not far, but for those who feel he is far, then he certainly is, based on our deeds. And what else do I need for spiritual comfort when I have my Gurus in the form of my Living Guru – Dhan Dhan Sahib Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj? I have the form of the Sikh, and of a Khalsa and the spirit of the Guru in Guru Granth Sahib. My Guru is right before me, every living moment of my life. But there does come a moment when the soul, which has been separated from him for so many ages, to seek just a glance of the source of it’s existence, and to have a heart-to- heart talk, like between a father and son.

I close my eyes, and my soul travels in search of his darshan . . . and there he is . . . seated in the depths of my soul . . . and we meet . . . ‘Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh! It’s so nice to see you today, it’s rare of you to pass by these days!’, Guru Gobind Singh greets me as I descend into the centre of my soul. Embarrassed, I hang my head, in bowed reverence and greet Fateh to Guru Sahib.

‘Come, sit by me. I was meditating on Akaal Purakh, won’t you join me?’ he asked, like a loving father. ‘See,’ he continued, ‘deep within you, I meditate with you. Isn’t that a deep connection with Waheguru? And it is true with every GurSikh. When GurSikhs meditate, recite Gurbani or sing Kirtan, they do it from the depths of their souls, because that is where I am, to help them connect to the Divine, our Husband Lord.’

Sitting by his right hand side, I shut my eyes and tried to experience the presence of my Guru, within whom resides the spirit enjoined in one, of Guru Nanak and the successor Gurus. There was so much peace that all I seemed to lose my own material existence, I felt merged in the Divine. When I opened my eyes to take a peek at what my Guru was doing, I saw him looking at me with a loving glance. I shied, and asked, ‘Guru Sahib, why do you look at me so?’

‘Chir bhayo darshan dekhe . . .’, he replied with a radiant smile. ‘Yes, GurSikha, how I’ve longed to see you, too! When I see you, I see myself and when I see myself, I see my Husband Lord. How I savour such a moment, to see you deep within your self and merging into the Light! Please do continue contemplating, let me enjoy the moment of seeing you . . .’

As I shut my eyes again, I wondered what Guru Sahib felt of the state of the world, especially of his Sikhs. ‘I am not worried about the world right now, I’m with you,’ replied Guru Sahib. I was dumbstruck. I hadn’t even uttered a word, and the Guru had heard my very thought. Opening my eyes again, I looked at Guru Sahib.

‘You are my Khalsa,’ he said, ‘you will fulfil my Hukams in this life. There is nothing wrong with the world when there is nothing wrong with you, my dear soul.’ ‘When you submit your soul to my Hukams you have verily placed your head on your palm and walked my Path. I know then, that my soldier, my Sipahi, is getting ready for me to bring a change to the world that is still on fire.’ Guru Sahib spoke from his depths.

‘You have nothing to worry because you have found the Path I left behind for my Sikhs to follow. Sadly, many have questioned the Path and have trusted their own intellect, rather than the Path I lovingly created for their safe passage to their Divine Source. They have questioned me, forgotten the sacrifices and chosen to be higher than the Guru. I have no issue with them. They are lost in their own self. Poor mortals, they hardly realise what injustice they do unto their soul, it will be lost for so many ages, looking for another opportunity to get a human body that will help them to reach Waheguru. Why have they still not realised that their body is like a boat to help them cross over the terrifying world ocean? Instead, they are digging holes in it, surely, they are going to sink, aren’t they?’

‘But your kind will show them the way back. I have in you the Khalsa I had in mind. You are on that Path. I may be gone physically, but through the roop I have also granted you, they will remember me. So don’t ever hide your identity, for you know that your Guru would never hide from the world. They will dislike you and call you names, but don’t lose heart. Even our Nanak faced the same challenges. Just be like Nanak – smile and move on with Waheguru in your soul, for He will ferry you across, if the others don’t want to. Once you are on the sure path of Sikhi, don’t falter, please, for my sake!’

‘You know what you mean to me? Khalsa meri jaan ki jaan!’ You are my very life! You are my strength and my solace and through Sikhi, you will save your soul. You will be over with this life, that is just temporary, just a life-night. When day breaks, you will be with me, holding my hand and leading you to your soul’s quest of reunion with your Husband Lord. So keep holding the hem of the robe of Gurbani, for that is where the answers are to all your questions which you initially came over to ask.’

Then there was silence. I looked upon my Guru’s visage, so radiant and full of selfless love. And he looked back at me with eyes, full to the brim with care. How could anyone ever do anything to hurt such a loving father by losing ourselves in manmat and vice? ‘Aisaey Gur Ko bal bal jaayiye!’

Come, let’s take a little walk,’ Guru Sahib suddenly said, ‘I could do with a little fresh air!’ We walked through an endless landscape of brilliant Light. Guru Sahib didn’t say anything, he left me gazing around. I could see, all around me, my very life’s countless episodes. There were those episodes that brought a smile to me when I saw the times I spent in Gurbani and sangat and good deeds. Guru Sahib put his arm around my shoulder and said, ‘I’m proud of you, my son, those were the times I was always walking with you. But look! Look on the other side, there are the episodes of your life that bring tears to my eyes, you forgot me. I lost you in those times. Look, just look at those deeds that brought shame upon your soul , and upon me! Is that what a GurSikh is supposed to be doing?’

I stopped in my tracks and looked. There I saw, all the moments I lost in sleep, missing my Amritvela and engrossed in worldly affairs. Remembering now, how I had wronged my Guru, tears welled up in my eyes. But before they could roll over my cheeks, my Guru soothed them away with his loving hands. ‘Let’s move on, Singha, those episodes have been written off for you, let’s move on. Forget them.’

‘What?’ I asked myself in deep surprise, silently within, ‘All those misdeeds? Written off ? Just like that? How can that be? After having wronged my Husband Lord and my Gurus, how can the Guru just write them off without a second thought? He didn’t even let me repent or feel the guilt.’

‘What good will that do, Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh?’ Guru Sahib asked. I knew by now that my thoughts were audible to my Guru, and I was no longer surprised at his knowing my inner thoughts. ‘Once you realise what you did was wrong, forget those episodes of your lost moments of life and move on. Don’t look back. ‘Aaagay samajh chalo Nandlala, paachay jo beeti so beeti.’ Concentrate on what is left of your life. Don’t waste your time in regret and self pity! Hurry, there’s no time!’

Having walked for a while, enjoying many moments of silence and savouring the moments of walking together, Guru Sahib desired some rest. ‘Come Singha, let’s sit awhile.’ he said. I took a deep breath and made myself comfortable as we chose a spot to sit on.

‘You know, Khalsa Lakhvir -Singh, I enjoyed your company. We will no longer be separated when you have worked your life in preparing for your marriage to your Husband Lord. You will find me there when your call comes. I will also reveal to you Guru Nanak, who awaits your company. My son, all the souls are loved by Waheguru, don’t you ever doubt that. But some souls become selfish and fickle-minded. They think that life is unfair to them. They think Waheguru does not even exist. Out of love, He sends them back to the world to start over again. If He really disliked any soul, He would have ended its existence the moment it strayed. But He wants every soul to return to its True Home. You see, man has been created as the most intelligent of all life forms, so he sometimes thinks that he doesn’t need anyone to tell him what to think or do. Waheguru Himself granted him that freedom to think like that, but man needs to correct his thinking. More often than not, he just does not think. Poor mortal!

‘I want you to live your life as an example – an inspiring one, not a tragic one. Those who look at you, will have the capacity to pick some energy from you and become GurSikh, just like you, so don’t ever stop that energy from flowing. ‘Nanak Naam Chardikala!’ And when my GurSikhs gather in prayer and meditation and seva, it is Satyug for you, right here on earth, a taste of it for your senses, and for the moments awaiting you beyond this life.’

‘All right my son, you have to leave now and I have to attend to a task. Just remember, whenever you wish to be with me, just look deep inside your soul. Need I convince you on that!’ Guru Sahib said, with a twinkle in his eye. Not wishing to let go of Him, and I just felt that thought, he again looked at me, and then took me in his w He’s almost like a myth, a legend. Such a great man, who followed the legacies of past 9 Nanaks, and a Nanak himself, it is unfathomable for this insignificantly small mind to grasp the greatness of Guru Gobind Singh. He’s a personality, who has 9 others and yet another one of his very own – in the visage of the tenth and last human Guru of the Sikhs. How does one even define such a man, let alone imagine him in flesh and blood, right before our very eyes? Spiritually, we all endeavour to connect to him, and through him, travel all the way back to Nanak. I have always believed, and still strongly do, that if we have not understood Guru Nanak, how can we understand Guru Gobind Singh? As Sikhs, we are all alike him, and the Guru has always inspired that. Many have not understood that the teachings of Guru Nanak and of Guru Gobind Singh bear no difference. The pen of Gobind was the sword of Nanak. I have no doubt about that.

My only physical contact with the Guru on a daily basis is the big handsome portrait of Him that adorns my room, right above the bed. I always look up at his portrait when I get up in the morning, whenever leaving home and on entering my room. The only natural expressions that resound from the heart through the lips is ‘Dhan Guru Nanak! Dhan Dhan Sahib Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj! Dhan Dhan Dhan Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru, Waheguru!’ When I look at the beautifully crafted and soulfully portrayed visage of the Guru, my soul assures me that my Guru must have been like that. His works and life calculate to the image before my eyes. Looking deeper within the colours on his person, they come alive, as soon as I see my own reflection on the glass that is held in its frame. When I see myself in the mirror, the Guru’s portrait is reflected in it. Every single time I stand before the mirror, I see my Guru. The very form I have as a Sikh is a testimony of his Khalsa and of his form. As I tie my dastaar, I feel as though my Guru is dressing me. When I brush my flowing beard, I feel as though it is my Guru’s energy rushing through the kesh. Each day, he reminds me, through my very own appearance – of my heritage, history and of my great Gurus and of their loving GurSikhs. We take Sikhi for granted and are so liberal minded, filled with so much manmat, that we loose sight of the Guru. We fail him miserably, and yet he fought with all his might and spirit in defence of the Sikhi we are living today. He never failed us, and it brings me to tears to witness the very people who he fought for treat him like as though he did nothing extraoridinary . So much apathy! Even those who are GurSikh, and yet are not perfect in their rehat and Sikhi are guilty of tearing apart the Guru’s sacrifices.

‘Help me, O Guru Sahib, to not be like those who claim to be your Sikhs but are only there in name, and not in deed. Protect me from maladies that have inflicted such manmukhs. Bless me with your spirit and energy to the point that I feel there is no difference between yourself and your Sikh.’ I pray through my soul to him. He knows me inside and out, and he knows when I’m making up emotions and when I’m deep down sincere. He listens to the sincere ones, and I can tell you, he works them out in your benefit, and to the benefit of the Panth. To have the darshan of Guru Sahib is, for many of us, an unimaginable blessing. ‘Are we worthy?’ we ask ourselves. But the Guru says, ‘Try and make yourself worthy, I’m all ready waiting to reveal myself to you.’

So never underestimate your potential to connect to the Guru. He’s right before us, but we do not see him, because we hardly ever rise above our material senses. I believe that to see him, try through the eyes of the soul which has, who knows, seen him in a past life. Hear him, through the soul, which may have been in his sangat in his times. And feel him, through your very soul, which must have been a Sikh standing by his side in the battlefield.

Today, if I imagine a material witness of the Guru, in flesh and blood, my soul says it is possible. There will be those who doubt – but who didn’t doubt the Guru even during his times? I listen to the voice within, it could never be wrong, especially if it is guided by the teachings of our Gurus. With the Grace of the Guru, I have realised that the HE is not far, but for those who feel he is far, then he certainly is, based on our deeds. And what else do I need for spiritual comfort when I have my Gurus in the form of my Living Guru – Dhan Dhan Sahib Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj? I have the form of the Sikh, and of a Khalsa and the spirit of the Guru in Guru Granth Sahib. My Guru is right before me, every living moment of my life. But there does come a moment when the soul, which has been separated from him for so many ages, to seek just a glance of the source of it’s existence, and to have a heart-to- heart talk, like between a father and son.

I close my eyes, and my soul travels in search of his darshan . . . and there he is . . . seated in the depths of my soul . . . and we meet . . . ‘Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh! It’s so nice to see you today, it’s rare of you to pass by these days!’, Guru Gobind Singh greets me as I descend into the centre of my soul. Embarrassed, I hang my head, in bowed reverence and greet Fateh to Guru Sahib.

‘Come, sit by me. I was meditating on Akaal Purakh, won’t you join me?’ he asked, like a loving father. ‘See,’ he continued, ‘deep within you, I meditate with you. Isn’t that a deep connection with Waheguru? And it is true with every GurSikh. When GurSikhs meditate, recite Gurbani or sing Kirtan, they do it from the depths of their souls, because that is where I am, to help them connect to the Divine, our Husband Lord.’

Sitting by his right hand side, I shut my eyes and tried to experience the presence of my Guru, within whom resides the spirit enjoined in one, of Guru Nanak and the successor Gurus. There was so much peace that all I seemed to lose my own material existence, I felt merged in the Divine. When I opened my eyes to take a peek at what my Guru was doing, I saw him looking at me with a loving glance. I shied, and asked, ‘Guru Sahib, why do you look at me so?’

‘Chir bhayo darshan dekhe . . .’, he replied with a radiant smile. ‘Yes, GurSikha, how I’ve longed to see you, too! When I see you, I see myself and when I see myself, I see my Husband Lord. How I savour such a moment, to see you deep within your self and merging into the Light! Please do continue contemplating, let me enjoy the moment of seeing you . . .’

As I shut my eyes again, I wondered what Guru Sahib felt of the state of the world, especially of his Sikhs. ‘I am not worried about the world right now, I’m with you,’ replied Guru Sahib. I was dumbstruck. I hadn’t even uttered a word, and the Guru had heard my very thought. Opening my eyes again, I looked at Guru Sahib.

‘You are my Khalsa,’ he said, ‘you will fulfil my Hukams in this life. There is nothing wrong with the world when there is nothing wrong with you, my dear soul.’ ‘When you submit your soul to my Hukams you have verily placed your head on your palm and walked my Path. I know then, that my soldier, my Sipahi, is getting ready for me to bring a change to the world that is still on fire.’ Guru Sahib spoke from his depths.

‘You have nothing to worry because you have found the Path I left behind for my Sikhs to follow. Sadly, many have questioned the Path and have trusted their own intellect, rather than the Path I lovingly created for their safe passage to their Divine Source. They have questioned me, forgotten the sacrifices and chosen to be higher than the Guru. I have no issue with them. They are lost in their own self. Poor mortals, they hardly realise what injustice they do unto their soul, it will be lost for so many ages, looking for another opportunity to get a human body that will help them to reach Waheguru. Why have they still not realised that their body is like a boat to help them cross over the terrifying world ocean? Instead, they are digging holes in it, surely, they are going to sink, aren’t they?’

‘But your kind will show them the way back. I have in you the Khalsa I had in mind. You are on that Path. I may be gone physically, but through the roop I have also granted you, they will remember me. So don’t ever hide your identity, for you know that your Guru would never hide from the world. They will dislike you and call you names, but don’t lose heart. Even our Nanak faced the same challenges. Just be like Nanak – smile and move on with Waheguru in your soul, for He will ferry you across, if the others don’t want to. Once you are on the sure path of Sikhi, don’t falter, please, for my sake!’

‘You know what you mean to me? Khalsa meri jaan ki jaan!’ You are my very life! You are my strength and my solace and through Sikhi, you will save your soul. You will be over with this life, that is just temporary, just a life-night. When day breaks, you will be with me, holding my hand and leading you to your soul’s quest of reunion with your Husband Lord. So keep holding the hem of the robe of Gurbani, for that is where the answers are to all your questions which you initially came over to ask.’

Then there was silence. I looked upon my Guru’s visage, so radiant and full of selfless love. And he looked back at me with eyes, full to the brim with care. How could anyone ever do anything to hurt such a loving father by losing ourselves in manmat and vice? ‘Aisaey Gur Ko bal bal jaayiye!’

Come, let’s take a little walk,’ Guru Sahib suddenly said, ‘I could do with a little fresh air!’ We walked through an endless landscape of brilliant Light. Guru Sahib didn’t say anything, he left me gazing around. I could see, all around me, my very life’s countless episodes. There were those episodes that brought a smile to me when I saw the times I spent in Gurbani and sangat and good deeds. Guru Sahib put his arm around my shoulder and said, ‘I’m proud of you, my son, those were the times I was always walking with you. But look! Look on the other side, there are the episodes of your life that bring tears to my eyes, you forgot me. I lost you in those times. Look, just look at those deeds that brought shame upon your soul , and upon me! Is that what a GurSikh is supposed to be doing?’

I stopped in my tracks and looked. There I saw, all the moments I lost in sleep, missing my Amritvela and engrossed in worldly affairs. Remembering now, how I had wronged my Guru, tears welled up in my eyes. But before they could roll over my cheeks, my Guru soothed them away with his loving hands. ‘Let’s move on, Singha, those episodes have been written off for you, let’s move on. Forget them.’

‘What?’ I asked myself in deep surprise, silently within, ‘All those misdeeds? Written off ? Just like that? How can that be? After having wronged my Husband Lord and my Gurus, how can the Guru just write them off without a second thought? He didn’t even let me repent or feel the guilt.’

‘What good will that do, Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh?’ Guru Sahib asked. I knew by now that my thoughts were audible to my Guru, and I was no longer surprised at his knowing my inner thoughts. ‘Once you realise what you did was wrong, forget those episodes of your lost moments of life and move on. Don’t look back. ‘Aaagay samajh chalo Nandlala, paachay jo beeti so beeti.’ Concentrate on what is left of your life. Don’t waste your time in regret and self pity! Hurry, there’s no time!’

Having walked for a while, enjoying many moments of silence and savouring the moments of walking together, Guru Sahib desired some rest. ‘Come Singha, let’s sit awhile.’ he said. I took a deep breath and made myself comfortable as we chose a spot to sit on.

‘You know, Khalsa Lakhvir -Singh, I enjoyed your company. We will no longer be separated when you have worked your life in preparing for your marriage to your Husband Lord. You will find me there when your call comes. I will also reveal to you Guru Nanak, who awaits your company. My son, all the souls are loved by Waheguru, don’t you ever doubt that. But some souls become selfish and fickle-minded. They think that life is unfair to them. They think Waheguru does not even exist. Out of love, He sends them back to the world to start over again. If He really disliked any soul, He would have ended its existence the moment it strayed. But He wants every soul to return to its True Home. You see, man has been created as the most intelligent of all life forms, so he sometimes thinks that he doesn’t need anyone to tell him what to think or do. Waheguru Himself granted him that freedom to think like that, but man needs to correct his thinking. More often than not, he just does not think. Poor mortal!

‘I want you to live your life as an example – an inspiring one, not a tragic one. Those who look at you, will have the capacity to pick some energy from you and become GurSikh, just like you, so don’t ever stop that energy from flowing. ‘Nanak Naam Chardikala!’ And when my GurSikhs gather in prayer and meditation and seva, it is Satyug for you, right here on earth, a taste of it for your senses, and for the moments awaiting you beyond this life.’

‘All right my son, you have to leave now and I have to attend to a task. Just remember, whenever you wish to be with me, just look deep inside your soul. Need I convince you on that!’ Guru Sahib said, with a twinkle in his eye. Not wishing to let go of Him, and I just felt that thought, he again looked at me, and then took me in his warm embrace. His spirit told me that he is never away from me, as long as I remained dedicated to his Khalsa. I felt all questions and worries evaporate in his embrace.

‘Now I’m ready for anything!’ I told myself while still in the arms of Guru Sahib. I felt my spirit speak to me, ‘Yes, Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh, my Khalsa is always ready for anything!’ Guru Sahib did not speak anything, but it felt as thought my spirit communicated with his, and there was no doubt that we had both become one spirit.

I opened my eyes and I felt like I had just been born – with new life and vigour, at the same time feeling as though I had lived my life and had been satisfied, and was ready to begin another day all over again! Glancing up at Guru Sahib portrait, I looked at his visage and his person as the colours of the impressionist came to life again. All that I had thought of my Guru was true, that the Khalsa, truly, is his very form. ‘Khalsa mero roop hai khaas.’ And that he lived in me, indeed – ‘Khalsa meh hau karu niwas’.

As I pen these last lines of an inner journey’s great moments with the personality that has blown me away with his ways, I close my eyes once again and imagine him what he would be saying now. ‘I have a question for you to ask the world, Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh, would you be of service to ask it for me?’ requested Guru Gobind Singh.

‘Please ask those Sikhs who still doubt the ways of the Khalsa – what is it that we have not done for them? Please tell them – that to protect their Sikhi we gave our all. We were there for them centuries ago, and now we need them to protect our honour, why do they hesitate? It took the Khalsa to protect their Sikhi, now will their Sikhi not protect the Khalsa, before the enemy strikes them from the back in the dead of night? Just ask them, and leave the rest to destiny.’

arm embrace. His spirit told me that he is never away from me, as long as I remained dedicated to his Khalsa. I felt all questions and worries evaporate in his embrace.

‘Now I’m ready for anything!’ I told myself while still in the arms of Guru Sahib. I felt my spirit speak to me, ‘Yes, Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh, my Khalsa is always ready for anything!’ Guru Sahib did not speak anything, but it felt as thought my spirit communicated with his, and there was no doubt that we had both become one spirit.

I opened my eyes and I felt like I had just been born – with new life and vigour, at the same time feeling as though I had lived my life and had been satisfied, and was ready to begin another day all over again! Glancing up at Guru Sahib portrait, I looked at his visage and his person as the colours of the impressionist came to life again. All that I had thought of my Guru was true, that the Khalsa, truly, is his very form. ‘Khalsa mero roop hai khaas.’ And that he lived in me, indeed – ‘Khalsa meh hau karu niwas’.

As I pen these last lines of an inner journey’s great moments with the personality that has blown me away with his ways, I close my eyes once again and imagine him what he would be saying now. ‘I have a question for you to ask the world, Khalsa Lakhvir-Singh, would you be of service to ask it for me?’ requested Guru Gobind Singh.

‘Please ask those Sikhs who still doubt the ways of the Khalsa – what is it that we have not done for them? Please tell them – that to protect their Sikhi we gave our all. We were there for them centuries ago, and now we need them to protect our honour, why do they hesitate? It took the Khalsa to protect their Sikhi, now will their Sikhi not protect the Khalsa, before the enemy strikes them from the back in the dead of night? Just ask them, and leave the rest to destiny.’

~ By Khalsa Lakhvir Singh
~ Source: Sikhnet.org

Drug Addiction Grips not only the addict but his family too. In Punjab, India 73.5% of the youth is addicted to drugs, and 40% of all men are addicted to drugs. The experts have already begun to put an expiry date on the state seeing its worsening state.

Women carry an additional burden of taking care of not only the negative effects of drugs but their husband’s, father’ and on’s illness. The wives often take on the social, household, economic responsibilities of the addict husband.

“With men falling prey to drugs, women and children bear the brunt of living in a toxic atmosphere of crime and violence fueled by addiction,” reported The Hindu newspaper.

The spousal abuse or “wife-victimization” includes increased domestic violence, increased risk of STD/HIV transmission, and aggravated physical and emotional distress.

Women in Punjab fall into drugs because of three primary reason that is coming from problematic homes where family members are drug addicts, the education system fails to impart the students with dangerous effects of drugs.

Drug use is often associated with a new definition of feminism, women’s liberation, and female independence.
When you or someone you love falls into the prey of addiction to alcohol or another drug, it can be hard to know where to turn. We can provide you with the due courses of action.
Regardless of where people are suffering, it is our duty, as Sikhs, to help them.

As Guru Arjan Sahib wrote, “All that is seen is You, Lord, the expansion of the expense. Says Nanak, the Guru has removed my doubts, I recognize God in all,” Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ang 51.

Together, we can conquer this devastating disease and reduce the stigma of drug-abuse. Get Started!

We have Our Akal De-addiction Centre situated at Cheema Sahib, Sangrur is licensed for 30 beds and ensures requisite staff as per requirement of the licensing authority.

Spirituality is an essential component (apart from psychological and medical ones) of the overall management and treatment of addiction patients in our Centre.

Counseling and psychotherapy related services are provided to each and every patient and the respective family members.

In the wake to save Punjab, we at The Kalgidhar Trust run an Akal De Addiction Center at Cheema Sahib, Sangrur that is licensed for 30 beds and ensures requisite staff as per requirement of the licensing authority. It also has a fully organized outpatient department (OPD). The treatment costs are kept as low as possible. Poor (BPL) and needy cases are given fee concessions. Relapse cases are also given fee concession so as to encourage such patients to re-seek treatment.

All types of basic amenities are available in the centre premises. The in-patients are provided with fresh and nutritious food, fruits and tea etc. Round the clock nursing facility is there to take care of the patients.

Spirituality is an essential component (apart from psychological and medical ones) of the overall management and treatment of addiction patients in our Centre. For this purpose a structured timetable is followed. Counseling and psychotherapy related services are provided to each and every patient and the respective family members.

All types of latest medicines are used to treat the patients. It is ensured that adequate stock of all these medicines is maintained. The prescribed medicines are dispensed to patients visiting the OPD for follow-up and treatment. The indirect aim of providing such a facility is to encourage a regular follow-up on the part of patients. The record of the patients is properly kept and maintained. This Centre has its own computerized lab to do routine blood and urine tests.

In a span of less than a decade since its inception in the year 2004, Akal De-addiction Centre has emerged as a popular joint for addiction treatment amongst the addiction afflicted populace, both local and abroad.

We are committed to a Drug-Free Punjab, are you?

~ Source: http://www.kaurlife.org/
~ Edited by Tapasleen Kaur

In the final segment of our four-part series on the impact of AB1964, California’s Workplace Religious Freedom Act, we bring you the inspiring story of Officer Jaskirat Singh from Milpitas, California.

Officer Singh made headlines earlier this year when he graduated from the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium Police Academy at the College of San Mateo. Since May 2014, Officer Singh has worked for the Milpitas Police Department (MPD) as a uniformed police officer.

Officer Singh became interested in law enforcement when he joined the MPD’s Explorers Program at the age of 16. In the Explorers Program, Officer Singh won the first place trophy for Traffic Accident Investigation and the third place trophy for the Sample Entry Level Police Officer Written Examination. He knew law enforcement was the dream career for him.

Today, he is a police officer in the busy Milpitas area, near San Jose, California, and has been assigned to patrol detail, including handling emergency 911 calls and conducting traffic stops.

Officer Singh has been fully accommodated for his Sikh articles of faith at work and receives significant support from MPD, his colleagues and fellow agencies. He wears a black, uniformed turban with his police uniform. He also successfully passed his gas mask test, creating a seal with the respirator.

Thanks to AB1964, the government of California has created a more welcoming environment for employees of all faiths who wish to practice their religion while pursuing their careers. Although Officer Singh is one of a handful of turbaned Sikh police officers on active duty in U.S. law enforcement, he will not be the last. In his words, “Being Amritdhari, being a practicing Sikh, it is still possible to be a police officer in the United States.”

We wish Officer Singh the best of luck in his career and commend the Milpitas Police Department for its commitment to religious diversity in the workplace. We urge other police departments across the country, including the New York City Police Department, to follow suit.

Community Leadership Makes a Difference

The AB1964 victories described in this series could not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the California Sikh community, which made numerous trips to the state capitol to testify at hearings and show their support for the law. Although the bill was introduced by State Assembly Member Mariko Yamada and sponsored by the Sikh Coalition, the grassroots activism of the California Sikh community during each step of the legislative process made all the difference.

– Source: http://sikhcoalition.org/

Guru Nanak is in the stars and skies, Guru Nanak’s love light never dies.

Guru Nanak’s in the rivers and seas, Guru Nanak’s in the grass and trees.

Guru Nanak hears each being’s cries, Guru Nanak’s love light never dies.

Guru Nanak’s in the desert and dune, Guru Nanak’s the Shabad Kirtan tune.

Guru Nanak’s in the sun and moon, Guru Nanak’s with me night and noon.

Guru Nanak’s in my heart and soul, Guru Nanak’s vision is my greatest goal.

Guru Nanak’s Naam is in every breath, Guru Nanak’s Amrit destroys death.

Guru Nanak’s hand is above my hair, Guru Nanak protects me everywhere.

Guru Nanak’s in each beating heart, Guru Nanak’s the dawn after dark.

Guru Nanak’s the light of my life, Guru Nanak’s my Father higher than high.

Guru Nanak is Guru Granth Sahib jee, Guru Nanak’s in our lives eternally.

Guru Nanak is my very best friend, I bow to Guru Nanak again and again.

~ Harjit Singh

Guru Nanak Sahib (the First Nanak, the founder of Sikhism) was born on 15th April, 1469 at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present district of Shekhupura (Pakistan), now Nanakana Sahib. The Birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib is celebrated on 15th Kartik Puranmashi i.e. full moon day of the month Kartik. On this day the Birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib is celebrated every year. (But some other chronicles state that Guru Nanak Sahib was born on 20th October,1469) Guru Nanak’s father, Mehta Kalyan Das, more popularly known as Mehta Kalu was the agent and Chief Accountant of Rai Bular. Guru Nanak ‘s mother was Mata Tripta, a simple, pious and extremely religious woman. Nanak had an elder sister, Nanki, who always cherished her younger brother.

Nanak was an extra-ordinary and different child in many ways. God provided him with contemplative mind and rational thinking. At the age of seven, he learnt Hindi and Sanskrit. He surprised his teachers with the sublimity of his extra-ordinary knowledge about divine things. At the age of thirteen, he learned Persian and Sanskrit and at the age of 16, he was the most learned young man in the region. He was married to Mata Sulakhni ji, who gave birth to two sons: Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das. In November 1504, Guru Nanak’s elder sister Nanaki ji took him to Sultanpurlodhi where her husband Jai Ram ji got him the Job of storekeeper in the Modikhana of the local Nawab, Daulat Khan Lodhi.

At the age of 38, in August 1507, Guru Nanak Sahib heard God ‘s call to dedicate himself to the service of humanity after bathing in “Vain Nadi” (a small river) Near Sultanpur Lodhi. The very first sentence which he ‘ uttered then was, ” There is no Hindu, no Musalman”. He now undertook long travels to preach his unique and divine doctrine (Sikhism). After visiting different places in Punjab, he decided to proceed on four long tours covering different religious places in India and abroad. These tours are called Char Udasis of Guru Nanak Sahib.

During the four journeys, Guru Nanak Sahib visited different religious places preaching Sikhism. He went to Kurukshetra, Haridwar, Joshi Math, Ratha Sahib, Gorakh Matta (Nanak Matta), Audhya, Prayag, Varanasi, Gaya, Patna, Dhubri and Gauhati in Assam, Dacca, Puri, Cuttack, Rameshwaram, Ceylon, Bidar, Baroach, Somnath, Dwarka, Janagarh, Ujjain, Ajmer, Mathura, Pakpattan, Talwandi, Lahore, Sultanpur, Bilaspur, Rawalsar, Jawalaji, Spiti Vally, Tibet, Ladakh, Kargil, Amarnath, Srinagar and Baramulla. Guru Nanak Sahib also paid visit to Muslim holy places. In this regard he went to Mecca, Medina, Baghdad via Multan, Peshawar Sakhar, Son Miani, Hinglaj etc. Some accounts say that Guru Sahib reached Mecca by sea-route. Guru Sahib also visited Syra, Turkey and Tehran (the present capital of Iran). From Tehran Guru Sahib set out on the caravan route and covered Kabul, Kandahar and Jalalabad. The real aim of the tour was awakening the people to realise the truth about God and to introduce Sikhism. He established a network of preaching centres of Sikhism which were called “Manjis”. He appointed able and committed followers as its head (preacher of Sikhism). The basic tenents of Sikhism were wilfully conceived by the people from all walks of life. The seeds of Sikhism were shown all over India and abroad in well-planned manner.

In the year 1520, Babar attacked India. His troops slaughtered thousands of innocent civilians of all walks of life. Women and children were made captives and all their property looted at Amiabad. Guru Nanak Sahib challenged this act of barbarity in strong words. He was arrested and released, shortly after making Babar realising his blunder. All the prisoners were also released.

Guru Nanak Sahib settled down at Kartarpur city (now in Pakistan) which was founded by him in 1522 and spent the rest of his life there (1522-1539). There was daily Kirtan and the institution of Langar (free kitchen) was introduced. Knowing that the end was drawing near, Guru Nanak Sahib, after testing his two sons and some followers, installed Bhai Lehna ji (Guru Angad Sahib) as the Second Nanak in 1539, and after a few days passed into Sachkhand on 22nd September, 1539.

Thus ended the worldly journey of this god-gifted Master (Guru) of mankind. He rejected the path of renunciation Tyaga or Yoga, the authority of the Vedas and the Hindu caste system. Guru Nanak Sahib emphasised the leading of householder’s life (Grista), unattached to gross materialism. The services of mankind Sewa, Kirtan, Satsang and faith in ‘One’ Omnipotent God are the basic concepts of Sikhism established by Guru Nanak Sahib. Thus he laid the foundations of Sikhism. He preached new idea of God as Supreme, Universal, All-powerful and truthful. God is Formless (Nirankar), the Sole, the Creator, the self-existent, the Incomprehensible and the Ever-lasting and the creator of all things (Karta Purakh). God is infinite, All-knowing, True, All-giver, Nirvair, and Omnipotent. He is Satnam, the Eternal and Absolute Truth.

As a social reformer Guru Nanak Sahib upheld the cause of women, downtrodden and the poors. He attacked the citadel of caste system of Hindus and theocracy of Muslim rulers. He was a born poet. He wrote 974 hyms comprising Japji Sahib, Asa-Di-Var, Bara-Mah, Sidh-Gosht, Onkar (Dakhani) and these were included in Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Arjan Sahib. He was also a perfect musician. He with the company of Bhai Mardana composed such tunes in various Indian classical Ragas that charmed and tawed wild creatures like Babar, subdued saging kings, raved bigots and tyrants, made thugs and robbers saints. He was a reformer as well as a revolutionary. God had endowed him with a contemplative mind and pious disposition. Guru Arjan Sahib called him “the image of God, nay, God Himself”.

~ Source: sgpc.net

Nankana Sahib is a holy place where the founder of Sikh religion, the dispeller of darkness, the most enlightened global Guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji was born early in the morning to Mata Tripta Ji and Mehta Kalu Ji on 15th April, 1469 (Baisakh sudi 3, Samwat 1526).

Bhai Gurdas in his Var (Var 1/27) has equated this event with the sun that lights up the earth after a dark night :

Jeeu Kar suraj nikaleya, taare chhipe andher paloa. (Var 1/27)

According to Puratan Janam Sakhi, the trees starting dripping juice, many a pauper became rich, the diseased were blessed with health. The earth heaved a sigh of relief.

According to Janam Sakhis, when Daulta Dai, the maid nurse was offered money, she refused it on the plea that she had already been rewarded by the very glimpse of the holy baby. Guru Nanak gave his first message that he belong to God and would exert the people to worship His Name. Bhai Nand lal ji has well said that Guru Nanak was asked by the Almighty to turn the face of humanity towards Him.

The township of Nankana Sahib was earlier known as Raipur and later on as Rai-Bhoi-di-Talwandi but after the birth of Guru Nanak, it began to be known as Nankian Sahib/Nankana Sahib. It is situated at a distance 48 miles on the west from Lahore.

Guru Nanak Dev ji passed his whole childhood and young age in Nankana Sahib. At the age of nine, when Pandit Hardyal asked the boy Nanak to put on Janeo, he refused to have the thread that discriminated amongst mankind. The Janeo which was made of the silk for a brahmin, of cotton for a Khatri, of wool for a Vaish and which was strictly abandoned for Shudra. And again which is three folds for brahmin, two folds for Khatri and only one fold for Vaish. He asked the Pandit if he had the thread made of compassion the cotton, contentment the yarn, continence the knot and purity the twist, he was ready to wear it. The Pandit was dumb-founded :

Daeya kapah santokh soot jatu gandhi sat watt.
Eihu janeo jeea ka hai ta pande ghatt. (p. 471)

When he joined a school at Nankana Sahib, the Guru is said to have written fundamentals of education on the wooden takhti provided to him. He enlightened the people when he wrote simply the first alphabet of Persian script ‘alaf’ and conveyed the message of unity of Godhood.

Guru Nanak Dev got married on 21st , may 1487 to Bibi Sulakhani, Daghter of Mulchand Khatri of Batala. It was at Nankana Sahib that he met Bhai Mardana, who was his life long companion for 47 years, listening and singing Guru’s gospel. According to the Sikh history, Guru Nanak at the age of 22 years, in 1491 A.D. went into silence for days together. He did not eat a single morsel and utter a single word.

His father Kalu ji sent for a local physician / Vaid. The vaid found nothing wrong with the young Nanak and found himself in a quandary as to what to tell his father because Nanak was absolutely healthy. Guru Nanak said ,” I have no physical ailment. Thou, the simple physician, knows not the pangs arising from the heart”

Bhola vaid na jaaneie karak Kaleje maah. (P. 1279)

Guru Nanak Dev Ji stayed at his birthplace up til 35 years of age and hereafter went to Sultanpur.

For a long time, this place remained in normal form. In A.D. 1613 (Samwat 1670), Guru Hargobind visited the birth place of Guru Nanak and entrusted the responsibility of looking after this place to Alamst, an ardent disciple of Baba Sri Chand. Since then Udasis, (the followers of Guru Nanak’s Son) looked after this place for a long time.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh got a magnificent building built there and at the behest of Baba Sahib Singh, the Maharaja gave 700 acres land as religious endowment to his holy shrine but the Udasis continued to maintain the place. They had the charge of this place during the times full of stress and strife for the Sikhs But with the passage of time, in early 20th century, these Udasis Mahants began to treat this revenue free jagir as their personal property and indulged in erotic and luxurious life. To get these historical Gurdwaras from the hands of these apostates the Gurdwara Prabandh Sudhar Movement was started. One peaceful Jatha that entered Gurdwara Janam Asthan was mercilessly hacked by the mercenaries of Mahant Narain Dass. Even the holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib was made target of thier bullets. Many a people belonging to this jatha were tied to a Jand and burnt alive. The Martyred half-burnt bodies were thrown into the well.

This incident gave such an impetus to the Gurdwara Reform Movement that the Mahants had to hand over the shrines to the Sikh Sangat. The magnificent building of this gurdwara along with the beautiful gardens, enthrals the onlookers and devotees. There is a big Sarovar and a spacious inn which provides accommodation to the pilgrims. The historical Jand and the well are still existing, telling the tale of atrocities perpetuated by Mahant Narain Dass on simple-hearted and peace-loving Sikhs. According to Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha, the author of Gurshabd Ratnakar Mahan Kosh, this shrine had 18 thousand acres of land attached to it and a cash endowment of Rs. nine thousand eight hundred and ninety-two also.

By the partition of the Indian sub-continent, the Sikhs not only lost many lives, wealth etc. but also their most loved and revered shrines which went to the other side of the border. After this partition, a mention of Nankana Sahib Gurdwara in the daily ardaas or prayer has become a regular feature. These Sikh shrines in Pakistan are managed by a Waqf Board and every year, Sikh Jathas visit these shrines on four different occasions.

At present there are 25-30 Sikh families residing in Nankana Sahib and as a result of this, daily service is performed and bani is recited. Bhai Partap Singh is functioning as the Granthi. At the occasion of Guru Nanak’s anniversary, about three thousand Sikh devotees from India visit Nankana Sahib. Sikhs from all over the world come there too.

~ Source: sgpc.net