Celebrating 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Celebrating 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Founder of Sikh Faith) At GOBIND SADAN, Gadaipur, New Delhi

The 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, highly revered First Guru of Sikhs, upon whose practical spiritual programme Gobind Sadan’s mission is based, was celebrated with an excellent Kirtan Darbar at Gobind Sadan on 17th November. Sangat also observed this great occasion with a special havan on 16th November.

After loving greetings to Guru Granth Sahib, who was reverently installed on a high stage, Kirtan Darbar began with Gobind Sadan’s hazoori ragis, Eknoor Kaur, Prabhnoor Singh, and Jaspinder Kaur, plus Priya from Russia and Petra from Germany. Mrs. Sakshi from Delhi also joined the jatha to sing two shabads. Stage Secretary Dr. Surjit Kaur Jolly, Secretary-Treasurer of the Gobind Sadan Institute for Advanced Studies in Comparative Religion, observed, “ With the coming of Guru Nanak, the fog of duality that was obscuring Indian culture lifted and the voice of oneness rose again from Punjab.”

In honour of Guru Nanak Dev, soul-soothing and inspiring kirtan was offered by Balwant Singh rebabi Jatha from Guru Granth Sahib Vidhya Kender, Gurdaspur sevadars, Bhai Ravinder Singh (Hazoori Ragi of Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar), Bhai Harpreet Singh (Hazoori Ragi of Sach Khand Sri Hemkunt Sahib),  Bhai Gurbachan Singh (“Laali”) of Delhi, and Bhai Jaspreet Singh from Guniana. 

In his welcome to the sangat, Dr. Rai Singh, President of Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Memorial Trust, said, “Baba Virsa Singh followed the teachings of Guru Nanak word by word. I have visited many places in the world, but this is the only place where Nam is recited and prayers are offered 24 hours a day. At one time, this place where we are sitting was a barren rocky land. Babaji himself cultivated this land and made it fertile. Wherever his gaze fell, things flourished. Babaji always saw everyone equally. He loved Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs alike, and made places of all religions in Gobind Sadan.  All are respected and welcomed here.”

Mary Fisher, to whom Babaji gave many duties including praying for people at Jesus’ Place, said, “Guru Nanak’s mission is for the whole world—not just for one community. He taught the equality of all human beings, and that goes beyond what is called ‘religious tolerance.’ Equality means giving equal love and respect to all people. Until we feel and practice this equality ourselves, how can the world be changed?” 

Mahant Sukhdev Das Bilkha brought in the importance of Baba Siri Chand as a spreader of the mission of his father, Guru Nanak Dev. He explained the relationship of Baba Siri Chand with Guru Nanak and the succeeding Sikh Gurus in full historical detail. Sri Abhinash Jaisal, All-India General Secretary of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, said, “Baba Virsa Singh lived the teachings of Guru Nanak, and we were fortunate we could see it with our own eyes. In very few words, he taught us to live wisely. We need to make this commitment: that we will develop ourselves and our children in such a way that honours the teaching of Baba Virsa Singh Ji.” 

Gurdev Singh, Member of Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Memorial Trust, said, “Dear sangat, you have been listening to and witnessing the celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th birthday in many different places. But today you are sitting at a place where the teachings of Guru Nanak are followed practically. Baba Virsa Singh Ji did not give long lectures on working hard; he rather made his life a living example. He said we get bodily strength from hard work and mental strength from reciting Naam.” Gurdev Singh ended with his own poem  “Jabbarvani,” which was much appreciated by the sangat. 

Hardip Singh, who prays at havan 24 hours a day and is President of Gobind Sadan Institute for Advanced Studies in Comparative Religion, observed, “Lakhs of people in every country are bowing to Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Those who come to Gobind Sadan do so because of their good destiny. If we become sevadars here, it will be our great good fortune.”