The Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Memorial Trust cordially invites you to the Tricentury Celebration of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji's Coronation as Guru (Gurta Gaddi) on the 18th and 19th of October, 2008.

Under the endless blessings of His Holiness Baba Virsa Singh Ji, the eminent personalities who will be attending include

Programme

9 to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday: Kirtan Darbar in which famous ragis such as Bhai Chamanjit Singh Ji Lal, Bhai Maninder Singh Ji (Sri Nagar), Bhai Ranjit Singh Ji Chandan, Bibi Jaswant Kaur Ji (Gobind Sadan) and Bibi Preeta Balbir will present samples of 31 ragas and 36 writers' bani.

Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takhat, Amritsar, will inaugurate the function, and Jathedar Iqbal Singh of Sri Patna Sahib and Jathedar Tarlochan Singh of Kesgarh, Anandpur Sahib, and Jathedar Kulwant Singh’s representative from Hazoor Sahib will also address the sangat. Head saints from all the Sampardais, such as Udasis, Nirmalas, Namdharis, Kabir Panthis, Ravidasias, Shankaracharyas, those from Arya Samaj and Sanatan Dharams will also participate and address the sangat about the message of unity in Guru Granth Sahib.

Sri Ashok Singhal, Sri Motilal Vora, and Sardar Prakash Singh Badal, Patrons and Trustees of the Trust, and Sardar Rai Singh, President of the Trust, are organising all the activities.

Eminent ragis from different regions will come. Among them are Bhai Chamanjit Singh Ji Lal, Bhai Lal Ji from Pakistan, Bhai Maninder Singh Ji from Sri Nagar, Bhai Ranjit Singh Ji Chandan, Preeta Kaur Balbir, and Bibi Jaswant Kaur from Gobind Sadan.

Many representatives from the Bhagats’ gaddis whose banis are compiled in Guru Granth Sahib will also participate. A documentary that has been shot on location at their places will also be shown.

Nihang Singhs from Amritsar will perform special feats including horseriding, gatka, and nezebaji, exhibiting contemporary shastras.

The holy and precious relics of Guru Gobind Singh, including his Chola Sahib and the Chola of his young son who was martyred, will be reverently exhibited during the function.  Kindly bathe before viewing these exhibits.

Considering the great importance of this function for universal peace and harmony among people of all castes and creeds, kindly grace this occasion with your presence on 18th and 19th October, starting each morning with kirtan at 9 a.m.

Representatives of saints and bhaktas will speak about the holy stories of bhaktas.

Scholars of international fame will give presentations on Siri Guru Granth Sahib's basic message of peaceful co-existence and harmony.

Exhibition and Darshan of holy Chola Sahib of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and other exhibits related to the history of the Gurus

Showing of video film shot on the exact locations of the bhaktas.

Nihang Singhs from Amritsar will perform special feats including horseriding, gatka, and nezebaji, exhibiting contemporary shastras.

Background

Siri Guru Granth Sahib is an extraordinary scripture of harmony and brotherhood of all humankind to which Guru Gobind Singh, before going to Sach Khand, gave the Gurta Gaddi, bowing before it and connecting all the sangat with the Guru's Word forever.

This unique scripture is comprised of the Gurbani of 6 Gurus and 30 other bhaktas and saints of different castes and creeds  from all over India in 31 ragas and various languages.  Therefore this scripture is respected equally by all.

In Gobind Sadan, under the guidance of Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj, for the past 40 years celebrations of the holy days of all faiths were being held by the sangat with great love and respect, according to the teaching of Guru Granth Sahib. Now this revered scripture is completing 300 years of being Guru. Baba Virsa Singh Ji himself had started preparation of a programme celebrating this occasion. To give practical form to the programme that he had outlined, the Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Memorial Trust is inviting people from all over the world and all faiths, and disciples, preachers of Guru Granth Sahib, and representatives of the bhaktas whose bani is included in Guru Granth Sahib so that they can be introduced and honoured with special love and respect before the sangat.

English Guru Granth Sahib Translation

Please note Gobind Sadan can not endorse a particular translation as true and accurate, but rather offers this English translation for its ease of access of the complete text.

• Holy Guru Granth Sahib