By Kanwal Prakash Singh
INDIANAPOLIS: Sacred Recitations, Shabd Keertan, A Joyous Welcome and Fellowship Highlighted the 324th Khalsa Sirjana Divas and 2023 Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) Celebration in Indianapolis.
Highlights of Baisakhi Celebration at Gurdwara Sikh Satsang:
The festive celebration centered around the dazzling spiritual Light, a Saint-Soldier, life and legacy, the sacred compositions and amazing enlightened vision that was Tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh
(1666-1708). It was a devotional veneration of the Guru's brilliant scholarship who championed the inalienable rights to equality, justice, freedoms and dignity of all beings and saw "All Humanity as One Race." He sacrificed his entire family and lost many follows in the struggles against the tyrant rulers and to raise the spirit of his countrymen crushed under the centuries of foreign invaders
and zealot rulers of that era. To fulfill this mission, on Baisakhi day of 1699 the Guru created the Khalsa, an army of saint-soldiers, to defend India's honor and restore her soul and destiny as a country where everyone's rights and the dignity of all people were a solemn sanctity and as a divinely-mandated sacred right.
The incessant rain and cold wind did stop the nearly 1, 000 Hoosier Sikhs and their friends from participating in the festivities at Gurdwara Sikh Satsang.
We were honored to welcome special guests that included Jennifer Robinson, President and CEO of the best Children's Museum in American, to witness and record celebration for their upcoming Exhibit about the Sacred Places of faiths.
In the Gurdwara Sanctuary Hall: Eminent and celebrated Ragi Jathas - Bhai Sarabjit Singh Ji and Bhai Baljit Singh sang Shabds (sacred hymns) from Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Sacred Sikh Scriptures) and the amazing divinely-inspired compositions and poetry of the Guru Gobind Singh Jee. An illuminating Katha (spiritual and historic discourse) was delivered by Bhai Baljinder Singh Ji. A special guest,
Danish-Punjabi-Hoosier international celebrity, Anita Lerche jee, shared a soulful moving rendition of the Sikh Shabd in Punjabi: "Mil Mere Pritama Jiyo" that was recently released worldwide.
Fellowship Under the Massive Tent: Everyone was treated to colorful buffet of fresh fruit, a variety of snacks and Punjabi sweets, hot Indian tea, and freshly squeezed sugarcane juice. Following the Ardas (prayer of supplication) and the Hukmnama (sacred message read from Sri Guru Granth Sahib), the traditional Langar (a vegetarian meal) that included Paneer curry, Lintels, Salad, Rice, Chapatis, and Jalaibees (a popular pretzel-shaped sweet). Multi-generational crowds dressed in festive outfits sat on carpet-runners, introduced each other and shared their excitement about the occasion, exchanged family news and concerns over lunch.
A Prayerful Hope and Reflection: May the spirit and lessons of Baisakhi and other major faith celebrations that converged this month be our guiding Light to advance shared values and commitments that enhance peace and our well-being as a human family. We join you in sending greetings of a Joyous Baisakhi to the entire Sikh world and our friends of all faiths, cultures, and following cherished traditions. Attached photo images provide an insight into the pageantry, festivities, and worship traditions of the Sikh faith.
Our special thanks to the Gurdwara sevak-leaders and all volunteers, especially - Gurpreet Singh, President of Gurdwara Managing Committee, Harpreet Sandhu, Chairman Board of Trustees, and our beloved leader-sevak, Maninder Singh Walia for a commendable 2023 Baisakhi Celebrations. ~ Sut Siri Akal (traditional Sikh Greeting: God's Name is Eternal Truth).
K.P. Singh's distinctive pen and ink drawings of historic architecture and monuments from the Far East, India, Europe, the USA and Indiana attempt to reflect the spirit and original elegance which inspired the design of these architectural landmarks. Mr. Singh's finely executed drawings combine the skills of an architect, artist and historian.