Baisakhi celebrated amid fervour after 24 years at gurdwara in Arambagh

Festival is marked across globe to commemorate founding of Khalsa Panth


In the courtyard of the gurdwara, women were tasked to prepare the langar [feast distributed free of charge] for the devotees. This is a daily routine but that night it was a bit more special in connection with Baisakhi. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

KARACHI: After a good 24 years, the Sikh community celebrated the Baisakhi festival at the gurdwara in Arambagh on Friday. Raising their traditional slogans of ‘Bole Sohniyaal’ and adorning their bright, orange turbans, the Sikh men dotted the streets in the heart of the city.

Baisakhi, one of the most significant festivals of the Sikh community, is observed across the globe to mark the beginning of the New Year with spring and the founding of the Khalsa Panth. On March 30, 1699, the 10th Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh Ji, formed the order of the Khalsa, which means the Brotherhood of Saint Soldiers, to fight against tyranny and oppression.

Baisakhi, one of the most significant festivals of the Sikh community, is observed across the globe to mark the beginning of the New Year with spring and the founding of the Khalsa Panth. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN Baisakhi, one of the most significant festivals of the Sikh community, is observed across the globe to mark the beginning of the New Year with spring and the founding of the Khalsa Panth. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

Guru Nanik Sahib Gurdwara, situated in Arambagh, was decorated with LED lights, creating an aura of fluorescence. As one enters the premises of the gurdwara, they are treated to the enchanting aroma of delicious South Asian cuisine.

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The management of the gurdwara have remarkably improved the condition of their holy place. The Guru Nanik Sahib Gurdwara had remained closed for 24 years as the Hindu community had gone to court, claiming that the site was their religious place. In the beginning of 2017, the court had passed the order in favour of the Sikh community.

According to the chief of Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha, Sardar Hira Singh, many of their historical religious symbols were missing but they focused on cleaning the place first and then preparing it for the festival. He added that it was built in 1935 and has its own historical importance among the 10,000 Sikhs living in the city.

Prayers had already started after sunset in the hall of the gurdwara while one of the elders of the community recited verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. The book was covered in colourful chadors with pink flowers embossed on them. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN Prayers had already started after sunset in the hall of the gurdwara while one of the elders of the community recited verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. The book was covered in colourful chadors with pink flowers embossed on them. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

Prayers had already started after sunset in the hall of the gurdwara while one of the elders of the community recited verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. The book was covered in colourful chadors with pink flowers embossed on them.

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In one corner of the hall, a harmonium and table were kept for the bhajan after the prayers. Members of the Sikh community kept entering the hall, bowing their heads to the holy book.

In the courtyard of the gurdwara, women were tasked to prepare the langar [feast distributed free of charge] for the devotees. This is a daily routine but that night it was a bit more special in connection with Baisakhi.

Another member of the Sikh community, Umesh Kumar, said that Baisakhi is a little more than celebration as this is their first ever religious gathering in this gurdwara after it was handed over to them in the start of the year.

The Sikh community also expressed satisfaction over the security provided to them on the occasion.

History of Baisakhi

On the occasion, Sardar Hira Singh narrated the history of the Baisakhi festival to The Express Tribune with great joy.

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"I want a head, demanded Guru Gobind Singh from a crowd of nearly 100,000 followers of the Sikh religion,” he said. “The demand from the guru surprised the whole crowd as they were expecting words of comfort from their guru but it was surprising to see him with a sword drawn in his hand.

In the courtyard of the gurdwara, women were tasked to prepare the langar [feast distributed free of charge] for the devotees. This is a daily routine but that night it was a bit more special in connection with Baisakhi. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN In the courtyard of the gurdwara, women were tasked to prepare the langar [feast distributed free of charge] for the devotees. This is a daily routine but that night it was a bit more special in connection with Baisakhi. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN

“Thus, [Guru] Gobind Singh demanded everyone to gather at Keshgarh Sahib near Anandpur on March 30, 1699.”

As he continued with the story, the youngsters started to sing the bhajan while prasad was distributed among the attendees.

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"The demand from the Guru had left everyone confused,” said Sardar Hira Singh. “However, Dya Ram, a Khatri from Lahore, came forward. Guru Gobind Singh took him into his tent. After a while, he came out by himself and in his hand was a sword covered in blood! The crowd gasped and started to disperse.

“Then, the Guru asked again and amazingly another man, Dharam Das, a Jat from Delhi, stepped forward and went into the tent with the Guru. Yet again, the Guru came out of the tent alone, with blood on his sword. The Guru asked for another volunteer and Mokham Chand – a washer man from Dwarka – stepped forward and went into the tent, followed by Sahib Chand – a barber from Bidar. Finally, when a fifth man, Himmat Rai – a water carrier of Puri – stepped forward and went into the tent with the Guru, the crowd wondered how many more men must die.

“But this time, to everyone's joy, the guru came out of the tent with his sword and the five men walking behind him, [all] alive!

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“'This was a test,' the guru explained, 'to see who has faith in their Guru’. After dressing the five in handsome clothes, the guru declared that they were the ‘Panj Piaras’ or his ‘Five Beloved’. Coming from different Hindu castes, they became the first members of the new Khalsa Order and he gave them the last name of Singh while the women were called Kaurs, meaning princess.”

Sardar Hira Singh added that on this day, the Sikhs were also directed to wear the five Ks: Kesh [long hair], Kangha [comb], Kripan [dagger], Kachha [shorts] and a Kara [bracelet]. On the other hand, he said, Guru Gobind Singh also discontinued the tradition of gurus and asked all the Sikhs to accept the Guru Granth Sahib as their eternal guide.

Sardar Hira Singh added that at the end of the festival, prayers for the better future of Pakistan will also be held.

COMMENTS (1)

Bunny Rabbit | 6 years ago | Reply The sikhs never take sides. we have a lot to learn from them.
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