Reality Check - "Sikh" Weddings, "Panjabi" Songs, Dancing, and Drinking....

Take out 15 minutes of your time to play this MUST WATCH clip from a Gurmat Diwaan held in Malerkotla on 25th February 2014.

DISGRACE: Modern "Sikh" weddings exposed - Are we the descendants of Massa Rangarh or the sons & daughters of Guru Gobind Singh Ji? Baba Ranjit Singh Khalsa Dhadrianwale explains the price of speaking the truth.

Religious Song: Singha

Sikh Awareness Society: Must Watch Video

Khalsa Camp Australia 2014...

With the blessings of Guru Sahib, Khalsa Camp Australia was held from 15th to 19th January. This was the third year the camp was running. Khalsa Camp was established in the UK in 1990 and has been providing inspiration and motivation to young and old seeking to discover the spirit within. Khalsa Camp Australia 2014 took place at a beautiful scenic site in Berry in New South Wales. 

The camp was attended by around 150 people. The camp was aimed at people aged 15 years and above. It was great to see people had come from different parts of Australia and from different backgrounds. The camp was attended by Bhenji Mandeep Kaur jee, Bhai Pritvipal Singh and Bhenji Manjeet Kaur jee (SOPW) from the UK. Bhai Pritvipal Singh jee attended the camp with Bhai Gurdial Singh jee from Australia. Both Bhai Sahibs were part of the original Chalda Vaheer Jatha, a group that first started Sikhi Parchaar with the late Bhai Sahib Rajinder Singh jee (UK) and the late Bhai Sahib Rama Singh jee (UK). The Chalda Vaheer Jatha first camp to Australia in 1986 and prepared Singhs and Singhnian to take Amrit and created the first communities of Amritdharis in Australia. 

The camp sevadaars did amazing job in organising the camp! All the outside speakers and guests were amazed at how the organisers arranged really good activities to ensure all campers got to know other and helped to create relaxed and welcoming spiritual environment. Considering the camp has been running for three years, I was very impressed. Having been to many camps, this camp left a very positive impression on my mind. I hope the camp sevadaars continue to do the good work and with Guru Sahib's blessings Khalsa Camp Australia grows in its success. 

The theme of the camp was "Gur Sikho Eiko Pyaar." In the run to the 30 years commemoration of the 1984 Holocaust, the camp wished to send a positive message that Gursikhs should unite, show one another pyaar and that in order to love and respect Guru jee, we have to respect and love all the Guru's Sikhs. The camp talks were 'The Khalsa Commonwealth', 'Gursikhi Jeevan', 'What can Sikhi do for me?' and 'Inspiration from Sikh History.'
 
The day began with Amrit-vela Naam Simran and Nitnem from 4am to 6am. This was followed by breakfast and a rest period til 9.15am. There was an optional Aasa Ki Vaar in Darbaar Sahib for those who did not wish to rest.  Workshops were held from 9.15am to 11.15am. Each camper group attended a 30 minute workshop on a rotation. There was a short break for refreshments and snacks and then from 11.30am to 1.30pm the main lecture of the day accompanied with time for questions was held. This was followed by lunch. From 2.30pm 5.30pm was relaxation and activities. The physical activities included wall climbing, ropes, swimming,  Gatka, football, flying fox, canoeing, kayaking, and archery. The evening Darbaar was from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, which included Simran and Keertan. After langar there were evening activities from 9pm to 10pm. These included ice-breaker activity, bonfire night, team building exercise and the last day there was a Rainsbaaee Keertan til early morning. The whole camp layout and schedule worked really well.

Some photos from Khalsa Camp Australia:

The first night there was an ice breaker activity. Bhenji Mandeep Kaur jee (UK) got the first prize of $50. Bhenji was looking forward to go shopping with the prize money but as soon as she was given it a child came over and took it from Bhenji and handed it over to the camp organisers and said that it is a donation for the camp. Vaheguru :)

Amritvela - Amazing spiritual atmosphere

Nitnem in Keertan form

 Lecture on Gursikhi Jeevan that looked at the Jeevan of inspirational Sikh women in history and the virtues we can learn from their lives.

 Campers are expected to cook their own food for the camp outside! (Joke! This was a team building exercise but I cannot remember what they were supposed to do to the fire.)

 An activity - not sure quite what the activity is

Looks like Veer jee got a bit over excited at Khalsa Camp experience and the Sangat are trying to keep him back! 

 Workshop

  Private one-to-one Keertan lesson! Very lucky!

 The boys had a "How to do Gidha?" workshop. (Joke! Disclaimer - there was no Gidha or dancing at this camp)

 Workshop outside in the shade

Evening Darbaar

Keertan - Veer Tamandeep Singh and Veer Harsimran Singh

 
Keertan - Veer Tanweer Singh 

Amazing keertan by Bhai Pritvipal Singh jee during the Rainsbaaee. Vaheguru!

 Lecture on Inspiration from Sikh History

 Gurbani workshop with Veer Harsimran Singh

 

 Bhenji Manjeet Kaur jee (UK) from SOPW explaining the charity and the work it does for Sikh political prisoners.

Bhai Harman Singh Sydney wale showing Bhai Sahib his archery skills

(From left to right) Veer Rajveer Singh, Veer Deepak Chopra and Veer Paul Singh. All three of these Veers decided to keep Kesh at the camp. With Guru's Sahib Veer Rajveer Singh (on the left) has with Guru's kirpaa taken Amrit this week. Vaheguru!

Bhai Pritvipal Singh jee (UK) leading a workshop

Bhenji Mandeep Kaur jee (UK) leading a ladies workshop

Team building activities

Parents workshop

Bhaji Govind Singh jee enjoys Khalsa Camp because you really good massages whilst eating (where else can you get this type of service!)

The campers decide to celebrate Lohri during the camp. Joke! - Bonfire night with keertan and sharing Saakhis :)

Bhenji Mandeep Kaur jee sharing the Saakhi of Bibi Gurkirpal Kaur jee from Kalgidhar Chamatkaar written by Bhai Sahib Vir Singh jee.

Last day question and answers session

Bhenji Sukhjit Kaur from Perth (on left). Bhenji featured in last year's Sikhnet Youth Film Festival. Please check the videos - Testimony of Courage and Be Brave. Bhenji decided to keep wearing a Dastaar during the camp. Vaheguru!

 

 Some of the main sevadaars - Bhai Govind Singh jee and Bhai Kamaldeep Singh jee giving their last words to the campers

 

 Guru Jee leaving campsite

Blissful journey on the bus leaving the camp

For more photos check Khalsa Camp Australia Facebook

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Australia Trip (Part 2)...

Continued....

I had the privilege and good fortune to stay at the house of Giani Gurdev Singh jee in Sydney and do his Sangat for a few days. Giani jee is famous for doing keertan worldwide and at Sri Harimandir Sahib. Over the few days I stayed with Giani jee it was great to do vichaar with him regarding keertan, Gurbani, jeevan of great Gursikhs and Gursikhi jeevan. 

Giani jee is from Gurdaspur district and his village was not very far village Mehta, which is well known for Damdami Taksaal. Giani jee shared some information about his background. His father was a Rehitvaaan Nihang Singh. He was a great Abhiyaasee, reciter of Gurbani and also did Keertan. His mother was also Rehitvaan and wore a Keski. Although she was illiterate, she was always woke up at 12am to have a shower and sat in Samaadhi to do Naam Abhiyaas for three or more hours. 

At a young age Giani jee's father would take him to Rainsbaaee (all-night) Keertans organised by the Akhand Keertani Jatha. Bhai Sahib's Nihang Singh father would do keertan in the programmes of the Akhand Keertani Jatha. At the age of six years old, Sant Kartar Singh jee Bhindranwale visited their village and Giani jee wished to take Amrit. Sant jee said that he is too young to take Amrit, however at the age of six, Giani jee insisted that he wanted to take Amrit and would adhere to all the Rehit that the Panj Pyaare instructed. Giani jee was blessed with Amrit. As a result of taking Amrit and the blessings of Sant jee, Giani jee memorised Nitnem and Aasa Ki Vaar at the age of 7 or so. 

Sant Kartar Singh jee asked Giani jee near the time he had taken Amrit whether he knew Keertan. Giani jee said he did. Sant jee said he wanted him to do keertan at Mehta, however before he did he wanted to hear him first. Giani jee, unaware of what keertan was then, instead recited a poem. Sant jee told Giani jee that this is not keertan and that only singing Gurbani is keertan. Sant jee told Giani jee that he should only sing Gurbani, and was against singing Kachee Bani (i.e. cutting, modifying or adding lines to Gurbani when singing). I was told throughout the time of early Mahapurkhs up until Baba Thakur Singh jee passed away, only the keertan of Gurbani has sung at the Gurdwara in Mehta.

Giani jee trained for four years at Mehta, studying Gurbani and then later on went to learn Gurmat Sangeet at Shaheed Sikh Missionary College in Amritsar for four years. From a young age, Giani jee continued doing keertan at Akhand Kirtani Jatha programmes, along with his father. He later became a Raagi Singh and did keertan at historic Gurdwaras managed under the SGPC and also did keertan at Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar. He then did Sangat of Baba Sucha Singh jee from Jawaddi Taksaal in Ludhiana. Baba jee gave Giani jee blessings.

Giani jee moved to Australia to serve as a Head Granthi and Raagi Singh at Glenwood Gurdwara in Sydney. After ten years or so service, Giani jee left the Gurdwara job to teach keertan full time.  He is always busy either teaching keertan or traveling around the world to do keertan.

Throughout Giani jee's life, Baba Thakur Singh jee has been very close. Baba jee used to visit Giani jee's home and also came to visit him when they came to Australia. More recently Giani jee began doing Sangat of Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale after Baba jee visited Australia for the first time. Giani jee went to India to teach Baba jee keertan. Both have a lot of pyaar for one another. It was great to hear about the different life experiences and the different things learnt from various Gursikhs and Mahapurkhs over the time.

Bhenji Mandeep Kaur jee, who also went from the UK as a speaker for Khalsa Camp Australia, took benefit of Giani jee's Sangat to learn some things about Gurmat Sangeet.

During our stay, Giani jee gave us Darshan of a small Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee that they have. The Saroop is from World War II most likely and is printed by Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan. Giani jee does Parkaash of this small saroop on a weekly basis. It is very small and needs great attention to read from it.

Saroop's Tatkara (contents pages)

The opening of the Saroop has a printing of a handwritten Mool Mantar and underneath states that this Mool Mantar is written by Guru Arjan Dev jee.

Darshan of the Saroop. As you can see the writing is very small.

The last few days before Khalsa Camp Australia were spent in Melbourne. Veer Harpinder Singh jee kindly arranged the programmes. It was great to have darshan of the Sangat from the Melbourne area.

Beautifully built Cragieburn Gurdwara in Melbourne

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!

Sikhi Parchaar: Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick

Each Gurdwara is part of the Panth, but even more than that each Gurdwara acts as embassy of the Panth and represents the Panth. If we wish to strengthen the Panth, then we have to strengthen our Gurdwaras. If the Panth is a bad state then that is a reflection of our Gurdwaras. Therefore, it is vital that Gurdwaras become the hubs of Sikhi Parchaar and emulate the ideals of Gurmat. Dr. Sangat Singh in his book The Sikhs in History describes the early form of the Gurdwara during the the period of Guru Nanak Dev jee as “the nerve centre of Sikhism in action." In this post, I am going to share a positive role model of what a Gurdwara should be doing and hope Gurdwaras can follow in the same way. 

Guru Nanak Gurdwara on High Street, Smethwick (Birmingham), is the first Gurdwara in the UK and Europe to be started by the Sikh community in 1961. Over the years the Gurdwara has gone over many changes to the physical building, the management and delivery of Sikhi Parchaar. I have the opportunity to visit Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick at least twice a week when I go to work. The management, the past and present, have always been very supportive to me whenever I have needed anything for my work. I have noticed in the past 9 months or so, since a new management committee has come in place, that this Gurdwara has become the leading Gurdwara in the UK for Sikhi Parchaar.

Since last year, the Gurdwara seems to offer something for all ages, men and women, and for the Panjabi speaking Sangat, as well as English speaking Sangat. Every time I go to the Gurdwara, I see a new poster advertising an event or service being provided which makes me feel happy that a Gurdwara is taking Sikhi so seriously. Usually we think of a Gurdwara management with countless of negative examples of Gurdwara committees uninterested in Sikhi, doing anything for Sikhi Parchaar for the Sangat (let alone the youth), and just bothered about booking Akhand Paaths and cashing money of the Sangat. However, those Gurdwaras doing good work, like Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick, should be highlighted and shared with the Sangat.

Outside the downstairs main Darbaar Sahib of Guru Nanak Gurdwara, there is a screen which highlights all the programmes of the day.  It great to see a Gurdwara present itself in a way which is up to date with technology and professional looking. There is also a screen displaying the Hukamnama accompanied with translations.

 

One thing I have particularly liked at the Gurdwara is that in the foyer area outside the Langar hall they have two large TV screens. One shows the Paatths and events in each Darbaar Sahib, the other TV screen plays continuous interesting news, songs and short documentary clips relating to the Sikhi. They have clips from Channel 4 News relating to the Sikh community being shown, a documentary by a human rights group called ENSAAF, a documentary showing Sri Harimandir Sahib (Amritsar), and various inspirational Sikh music and Keertan videos. Every time I go past this area I see a handful of people, who perhaps otherwise might not be drawn to Sikhi, looking at the TV screen and watching the clips. A very thoughtful way of portraying the Sikh message to the wider Sangat.

 

Another key thing about this Gurdwara is that they have their own nursery which caters for children from 3 months to 5 years old. For far too long our community has failed to provide our youth at the earliest age a solid foundation of Sikhi through such things as Sikh run nurseries. It is great that children at such a young age are attached to the Gurdwara, exposed to a spiritual and religious environment and are able to absorb values and teachings of Sikhi.

I have taken some random photos of the some of the things that are advertised at the Gurdwara to give a bit of a flavour of what the Gurdwara is offering to the Sangat. Since, I took these photos lots of more events and programmes have been advertised.

Yesterday when I went to the Gurdwara I saw a poster that was advertising that every Sunday, 6pm to 7pm there will be Kathaa in English. A lot of other Gurdwaras have Parchaar in English either in yearly camps, weekly Gurmat classes for a limited Sangat (usually young children) or one off events organised across the year. However, this Gurdwara and Southall Park Avenue Gurdwara are the first Gurdwaras to my knowledge to have weekly English Parchaar for the wider Sangat in the main Darbaar Sahib on a Sunday.

Below are the weekly classes provided by the Gurdwara:

This Gurdwara is definitely a hub for Sikhi and doing a good job in catering for all Sikhi needs and interests. The management committee deserves congratulations in offering all these programmes and fulfilling its duties and obligations to the Panth and Sangat. To my knowledge the current management committee has a lot of youth involved and proves that a good relationship between the elder and younger generation working together for the cause of promoting Sikhi can be successful.

Dhan Hai Guru! Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!