Gobind Sadan December 2022 Celebrations

 

MEHAR DIVAS, GURU GOBIND SINGH’S BIRTHDAY, AND CHRISTMAS 2022 AT GOBIND SADAN

Braving cold and traffic jams, many sangat from near and far, old and new, converged on Gobind Sadan from December 23 to 25 to celebrate the three holy days that are traditionally celebrated together in Gobind Sadan: Mehar Divas (the day of Baba Virsa Singh’s physical departure), Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday, and Christmas.

Seven Akhand Paths were carried on by the devotees around the clock starting at 2 a.m. on December 23^rd and finishing at 2 a.m. on December 25^th. Many devotees also did seva in the langar to serve the large congregation. Gurdaspur sangat and kirtan jathas sang touchingly and with great spirit at many times during the weekend. Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday was also graced by kirtan by Sukhwant Singh of Nissing and katha by Gyani Mahtab Singh. Singers remembered the heroic martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s four sons, which also occurred during this period, as well as celebrating  the greatness of their father’s life and teachings.

Devotees huddled under blankets at Angeetha Sahib while holding a special havan for Maharaj ji’s Mehar Divas. In celebration of Christmas, a group of 35 carolers from St. Mary’s Orthodox Cathedral in Hauz Khas had come to sing Christmas music on 15 December at Jesus’ Place, along with their dancing Santa Claus. For Christmas, a scene representing Bethlehem, the village where Jesus was born, was created in Jesus’ garden, and thousands of people of all faiths came on the night of December 25^th  to enjoy the peace, lights, and joy of the occasion.