Gobind Sadan
Again in 2015, Gobind Sadan celebrated three major events at the end of December: Baba Virsa Singh’s Updesh Divas (on the date of his passing—24 December) and Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday and Christmas on 25 December. One Akhand Path for Updesh Divas began on 22 December, and 6 more for Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday began on 23 December. For Maharaj ji’s Updesh Divas a special havan was held at Angeetha Sahib on the afternoon of 24 December. At 2 a.m. on 24 December Akhand Path bhog for Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday was celebrated, followed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by kirtan and talks for Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday. At 4 p.m. the Christmas celebrations began in the garden of Jesus’ Place, with musical offerings by Bhagat Ji and Gobind Sadan children, recitation of Jesus’ teachings by students from Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Public School, and talks by special guests.
Among the special guests was Reverend Dr. M. D. Thomas, Director of the Institute of Harmony and Peace Studies. Dr. Thomas said, “This land on which we stand is blessed because the great Guru, Baba Virsa Singh, was here, and he met Jesus here. And on this holy land worship goes on of all religions. There is no place like this in the world. This is the beauty of this place. How amazing that Babaji had darshan of Jesus here. To help uplift the fallen and lowly people who are in trouble is the real worship of Jesus. This Gobind Sadan is a unique place where all are united, all are understood as fellow human beings.”
Hardip Singh, who prays every hour at the central havan, said, “Maharaj made all these holy places and they are running under His blessings.” Gobind Sadan’s imam Jabar Ali sang a song about love that he had composed, and Dr. Rai Singh, President of Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Memorial Trust, encouraged the audience, “Maharaj always told us to love, not to hate.” On behalf of the Gobind Sadan Institute for Advanced Studies in Comparative Religions, Churchill Chadha told how Maharaj ji had seen Jesus standing in that place and had likewise established holy places of all religions in Gobind Sadan according to his vision. He said, “Maharaj ji showed us practical interfaith by celebrating all religions whole-heartedly.”