KARACHI: For the Sikhs living in Karachi, prayers for peace in the city and their beloved country Pakistan are the most necessary element of every Ardaas (the prayer). “We live here in peace and love the country as truly ours,” said Preetam Singh, a visitor at the Guru Garanth Sahib Gurdwara to mark the celebrations for the founder of their religion, Guru Nanak Dev.
Sikhs across the country celebrated the 542nd birth anniversary of their Guru at Gurdwaras on Sunday.
Sardar Bhola Singh, who called himself a ‘sewak’ of the Gurdwara, was one of the very few baptised Sikhs who publicly wear the five articles of faith known as the Five Ks or in Punjabi, the panj kakar: a kes (uncut hair), kangha (small comb), kara (circular iron bracelet), kirpan (dagger), and kaccha (special undergarment).
Each year, Guru Nanak’s anniversary celebrations are held at the Guru Garanth Sahib Sikh Saba Gurdwara for the Sikhs in Karachi. The festivities started two days in advance when the gayani (local priest) starts the ‘Akhand Paath’, recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh holy scripture) which requires for the holy book to be read continuously, from the beginning to the end without a break.
On the day of the festival, at 7 pm Guru Granth Sahib is carried in a decorated palki (Palanquin) in a procession throughout the area. This procession is led by the panj pyaras (five beloved ones) - five women who carry the nishan sahib (flag) and five men carrying symbolic swords.
Simran, Saba, Simran, Amrat and Annie, who were named to be the panj pyaris this year, were fluttering about on Sunday. They told The Express Tribune that they had prepared special clothes for the role. “We will tie the dastaar (the head bun) and safa sahib (tying the dupatta across) and wear kurtas like shirts,” described Simran, who was brimming with energy. “I had a little fight with my sister who was bugging my father to be the panj pyari in my place.”
After the palki procession, the devotees raise the Nishan Sahib, the flag that identifies a Gurdwara from other buildings and Sikh homes. The followers also sing the ‘shabat kirtan’ (bhajans) and devotedly do the ‘Ardaas’ (dua, pray for themselves).
Kiran Ashok Singh, who was formally dressed with henna-painted hands and bangles, said that they celebrate the day much like Muslims do Eid. “We make new clothes, buy new shoes and celebrate for a whole three and a half days,” she said. On the happy occasion, her only concern was that with two small children to look after, she could no longer get a manicure to match the beautifully designed mehndi her niece had applied.
Sardar Bisham Singh, the head chef for the langar or food distribution, explained that he prepares a special treat on the third day of the festival, because it marks the day Guru Nanak was born. “I make sure that all sorts of varieties of rice, vegetables and sweets are cooked,” he said. The delicious treats of the day include boiled rice with pulses, vegetable bhaji, as well as halwa, mithaiyan and kheer. While Sikhs are permitted to eat meat, the langar for this day does not include it to ensure that everyone shares the same food, irrespective of their status and standing.
The kara parsad is the special meal prepared for the sangat and the gayanis are made from pure ghee. According to Bisham, while thousands of people visit the temple he is never short of food and help as many women and men come to lend a hand. Indeed, a group of women were devotedly making chapatis for lunch as he spoke. Kaur Shehla, one of them said that she had been there since 3 pm: “This is sewa that will earn me sawab,” she said.
Seven-year-old Shagufta also managed to make a contribution and even though it was a small one of greeting guests, it was significant for her. “I say ‘Janam din mubarak ho’ to all my friends,” she explained. While she played hostess, her brother Vishnu piped up that he loved the fire crackers the most.
The Sikhs of Karachi are dispersed in Garden, Saddar, MA Jinnah road, Ranchore Line, Lea Market, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Manora, Soldier Bazaar, Hawks Bay, and number almost 3,500, according to voter lists, according to Sardar Ramesh Singh, the chairman of the Sikh Naujawan Sabha Pakistan. And while their numbers may be few, they more than make up for it by throwing their Guru a splendid birthday party.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2010.
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