Gobind Sadan
BABA SIRI CHAND’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS 2021
Baba Siri Chand’s birthday was honoured in many large gurdwaras this year and of course in all of Gobind Sadan’s holy places as well as private homes. The first of the Gobind Sadan celebrations was held in Sector 39 Gurdwara Nanak Sagar in Chandigarh from 13 to 15 September, the actual birth date. The gurdwara was lavishly decorated with lights and balloons, and the celebration included Akhand Paath, kirtan, and langar.
On 15th September, Baba Siri Chand’s birthday was also celebrated at Shiv Sadan farm in UP by offering special langar to the poor children who are studying in Gobind Sadan School at Shiv Sadan.
In Gobind Sadan, Delhi, Baba Siri Chand’s birthday was celebrated from 17 to 19 September. Since coronavirus cases have declined dramatically in Delhi there was hope that many sangat could gather there for the celebration, but Delhi Disaster Management Authority reiterated its ongoing ban on such celebrations. The mela was thus limited mostly to Gobind Sadan residents, although some other devotees who hadn’t got the news also came. The celebration included special havan, Akhand Paath, kirtan, talks about Baba Siri Chand and Gobind Sadan’s mission, free naturopathic medical camp, and special langars.
Since there was no ban on religious gatherings in Punjab, many devotees went to celebrate Baba Siri Chand’s birthday in Sarawan Bodla, Maharaj ji’s childhood home, from 24 to 26 September. Yet more will attend the celebration in Chaltua Farm in Pilibhit District, UP from 8 to 10 October.
Devotees living outside India also celebrated Baba Siri Chand’s birthday in their own homes. Admirers of Baba Siri Chand gathered at the shrine of Baba Siri Chand at the home of Ralph Singh and Joginder Kaur near Syracuse, New York to read Jaap Sahib, do havan, recite Nam and “Dhan Dhan Baba Siri Chand Sahib,” sing Baba Siri Chand’s Arta for Guru Nanak, and share a delicious lunch. Winny and Beeba made a special seat for Baba Siri Chand at their home in Texas, USA and did havan there with Jaap Sahib, after celebrating with khir, poori, and prasad in the morning. Harinder Pal Singh in Canada offered karah prasad, ardas, and roses for the occasion. And Helen and Susanna of Sweden lovingly made altars for Baba Siri Chand in their homes.