Gobind Sadan
December celebrations
On December 23 and 24, sangat from India and abroad came to Gobind Sadan in the rain and participated fully in the programme of Akhand Paath, kirtan, special havan, and seva. Then on December 25 Maharaj ji awarded their devotion with a beautiful sunny day for the celebration of Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday and Jesus’ birthday. Throughout the three-day mela, people were also remembering the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh’s four young sons in December 1704 .
The mela began on 23rd December with Akhand Paaths. A group from Delhi Orthodox Church also came to sing Christmas carols in Gurdwara Sarbat Sangat. Then followed remembrance of the death anniversary of Baba Virsa Singh on December 24th, with kirtan and special havan. On 25 December, in the Bhog programme in the diwan hall, one the favorite shabads of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, “Mittar Piyare nu,” was sung by Ragi Satnam Singh Ji from Push Vihar. Two foreign visitors shared the impact of coming to Gobind Sadan. Anastasia from Russia talked about how Gobind Sadan, Jaap Sahib, and Nam have been of great support to her since the tragic death of her father. Annki Har Dyal Kaur from Sweden spoke of how studying yoga under Yogi Bhajan for many years led her and her husband to Gobind Sadan. She said, “For me, Gobind Sadan is a living example of Guru Nanak’s vision: That we, as humans, can live together on this Earth as one large united family.”
For Christmas, children from Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Primary School pantomimed a song about Ardas, with equal respect to the prayers of all religions. A mixed cast of gardeners, young men, and foreigners performed a touching play from 19th century Russia about serving Jesus in everyone in need. Hardip Singh, Imam Jabbar Ali, and Rev. Bhaskar all spoke about Baba Virsa Singh’s mission of honoring all prophets and their holy days. Annki and Klas from Sweden began the programme with singing of Mool Mantra and ended it by singing excerpts from Jaap Sahib. Thousands of visitors enjoyed the beautiful lighting, food offerings, and delicious langar throughout the mela.