Golden Temple drawing by KP Singh
Baisakhi is regarded as a major transformational event in the journey of the Sikh faith. It marks the creation of Khalsa, an evolution of the Sikhs into saint-soldiers by Guru Gobind Singh at the Baisakhi of 1699 at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab. This year marks the 317th commemoration of this revolutionary moment in the Sikh faith, culture, and spirit. To followers of the Sikh faith and their friends around the world, our hearty congratulations on the occasion of this high holy day in the Sikh calendar.
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Harmander Sahib (The Golden Temple) of the Sikhs: The elaborately gilded interior of the sacred shrine with the Guru Granth Sahib under the beautifully brocaded Chandoya (canopy), the Sikh Ragis (religious singers), and a steady stream of pilgrims paying respect at the holiest place inside Harmander Sahib.
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| Gurdwara Sis Ganj - Chandni Chowk: The sacred spot of the martyrdom of the Ninth Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur inside Sis Ganj Gurdwara. Also on display in the elaborately embellished hallowed space, an old portrait and some of the sacred articles that belonged to the Guru. |
Millions of people from all corners of the world, representing many faiths, cultures, and nationalities will join in Baisakhi celebrations. There will be street processionals, great firework shows, family gatherings, and cultural celebrations. Sikhs will gather in gurdwaras around the world to offer prayers and to seek blessings. They will carry home a little of the heritage and spirit from these special celebrations and magnificent places of pilgrimage and will leave behind a little of their spirit to mingle with the spiritual aura of these sacred sites.
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| Gurdwara Bangla Sahib - New Delhi: Since my last visit in March 2012, the Main Sanctuary Hall walls and columns of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib has been elaborately refurbished with gold plates and other improvements that add to the beauty and spirit of the shrine. |
It is a pleasure to share a photo-pilgrimage to some of the Sikh gurdwaras that I recently visited. As in the past, it was a moving and deeply reverential experience as I reflected on the history and heritage witnessed and enshrined at these historic and hallowed grounds that are part of the spirit and foundation of the faith. If the inlaid marble walls, gilded domes, sacred trees, historic memorials and markers could speak, they would have much to tell us about the struggles and triumphs of the 547 years-young Sikh faith and have been witness to much history, righteous defiance, incredible sacrifices, and landmark historic events. The photographs take us on a pilgrimage to some of the historic and heritage sites of the Sikh faith: Amritsar- Golden Temple and Akal Takht, Ludhiana- Gurdwara Manji Sahib, Anandpur Sahib- Sri Keshgarh Sahib and Sikh Heritage Museum, and Delhi- Sis Ganj, Bangla Sahib and Rakab Ganj. For me, they represent far beyond the brick, marble, gold plates, other embellishments, and sacred markers; the heart and soul of the precepts of the Sikh faith, its all-embracing message, testimony of incredible sacrifices for universal rights and human dignity, and its timeless inspirations as the faith and its followers become part of the global community.
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| Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib Anandpur Sahib: Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, one of the major Sikh pilgrimage sites associated with the life of the Tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh and the birthplace of Khalsa, a brotherhood of saint-soldiers. |
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| The Sikh Heritage Complex at Anandpur Sahib: State-of -the-art museums designed by Jewish architect, Moshe Safdie, the Sikh Heritage Complex is one of the most exciting repositories of Sikh art, history, culture, and heritage. There are many interactive features that bring the events and history to life for the visitor. |
My spirit surrenders in thanksgiving and humility as I reflect on all the undreamed of blessings that I have received. Thank you Sutgurujee for Your incredible benevolence and grace upon your humble servant:
TIME AND AGAIN
You take me by the hand past uncertainty and harm:
Dance of death, genocide, roaring waters swirling all around;
You lift me from the valley of unfriendly shadows,
Bless me to witness Your Grandeur from Himalayan heights.
At every turn you surround me with gifts
Far beyond my labors and imagination;
Your pleasure and power, I cannot fathom.
My temporal limits place Your greatness beyond my wisdom.
I am lost in the maze of Your awesome Majesty and Mystery
Revealed in Song and Spirit by the Great Gurus (Teachers).
Teach me Your Ways; take me O' Father as I am,
Surrendering all gifts at Your Palace of Light.
Kanwal Prakash Singh
Indianapolis, Indiana USA <> www.KPSinghDesigns.com <> April 14, 2016
