Derby Akhand Keertan Smaagam...

Last week was the Vaisakhi Akhand Keertan Smaagam. Smaagam literally means "programme" or "event." The Smaagam was from Monday 18th April to Sunday 24th April at Singh Sabha Gurdwara and Guru Arjan Dev Jee Gurdwara. The Smaagam was in tribute to 50 years of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randheer Singh jee's leaving this earthly abode and in tribute to Shaheeds (martyrs) of the Vaisakhi 1978 massacre that took place in Amritsar. With Guru jee's kirpaa, the Smaagam was really successful and had a great Naam-filled atmosphere! Accomodation was provided by the Gurdwara Sahib for the Sangat to stay over. Being with the Sangat felt like being at home and having a family reunion.

From Monday to Wednesday, there was a Sri Akhand Paatth Sahib jee from a Larreevaar Saroop (which has joined up writing without any spaces) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. One person who was fortunate to attend the Akhand Paatth Sahib said that one of the Gurmukh Pyaare who seemed very elderly was reading Paatth with such high spirits and was singing Gurbani in a sweet melody rather than reading. The person said it seemed as if the Gurmukh Pyaare knew Gurbani off by heart and was in great ecstasy. It makes you think that when Gurbani is read with love, rass (sweetness) and pyaar (love) it not only has a great affect on the reader but also those in the Sangat listening. Vaheguru!

From Thursday to Saturday, Aasa Dee Vaar Keertan took place. Every day from 2pm to 4pm there was a seminar and discussion that took place with knowledgeable Gursikhs on Gurbani and the Gurbani vichaar of Bhai Sahib Bhai Randheer Singh jee. On Saturday, Neil Carleton, a speaker from the V&A museum, came to do a talk about Sikh artillery and explained about the Shastars (weapons) of the time of Baba Banda Singh jee Bahadar and Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. The following day there was a presentation and vichaar by Bhai Joginder Singh jee, Bhai Jagjit Singh jee and Dr. Virk about the life, Rehat (discipline), sacrifice and service to the Khalsa Panth. With Guru jee's kirpaa the foundation stone for a monument in memory of the all Shaheeds of the Khalsa Panth and in memory of the 6 holocausts the Sikh nation has faced was laid by the Panj Pyaare.

Below are pictures (taken from Scottish Sikhs Flickr) of the Sunday night Rainsbaaee Keertan:

Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee.


Sangat at Rainsbaaee Keertan


Master Niranjan Singh jee (Canada). Vaheguru!


Bhai Manmohan Singh jee (California)


Bhai Jagdev Singh jee (France)


Bhai Manjeet Singh jee (Glasgow)


Bhai Sahib from India who looks and sounds like Dr. Tejinderpal Singh jee (Dulla Veer jee).


Bhai Parminder Singh jee (Australia). Vaheguru! Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Pyaare.


Panj Pyaare after Amrit Sanchaar. Vaheguru! With Guru jee's kirpaa approximately 100 or so people took Amrit. The Amrit Sanchaar started 4pm and finished at 3.30am.


NOTE:

The next Smaagam is this week at Leamington & Warwick Gurdwara Sahib with a Rainsbaaee Keertan on Saturday 30th April. Visit www.akj.org for more details.

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!