Gobind Sadan
In the midst of a cold spell in Delhi, thousands of devotees came from all over to Gobind Sadan for celebrations of Maharaj’s Updesh Divas, Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday, and Christmas. By His grace, the weather was warmer and sunnier during December 22 to 26, and the sangat was warmed by His love.
Akhand Path for Updesh Divas began on 22 December, and six more Akhand Paths for Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday began on 23 December. Updesh Divas was held on 24 December, the day that Maharaj Ji left his physical body. After the Akhand Path bhog, doctors from Awadh Health Clinic in Sultanpur offered a free medical camp with general physicians, eye checking, physiotherapy, a women’s doctor, dental checkups, blood pressure checking, and blood sugar checking. In the afternoon, Nav Tej Singh and Gurpreet Singh, renowned classical musicians from Punjab, offered touching shastri sangeet in loving memory of Maharaj Ji. Their music was followed by a special havan at Angeetha Sahib, with coffee and snacks served afterward by young sevadars.
On 25 December, after Guru Gobind Singh’s Akhand Path bhog, the Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Memorial Trust sponsored two more major celebrations. The first was a programme of kirtan and speeches in honor of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Gurdaspur sangat’s kirtan brought tears to many eyes, and Joginder Kaur and Bhagat Ji gave their own special musical tributes to the great Guru. The main speaker was Iqbal Singh, Jathedar of Patna Sahib. He spoke of Guru Gobind Singh’s life and mission, in which he sacrificed all his family for the sake of dharma and country. He also described his relationship with Baba Virsa Singh Ji: “I met Babaji and when I heard from him about Guru Gobind Singh, I became deeply connected with him and then participated in every function of Gobind Sadan. Maharaj ji gave me a hint that I would be a preacher for Gobind Sadan, especially in Russia.”
During the day on the 25th, Awadh Health Clinic doctors continued their free medical camp. They were joined by Dr. S. V. Tripathi, Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Moolchand Medcity Hospital, Dr. Mrs. Ravinder Arora, naturopathic physician, nutritionist, and stress counselor, and Drs. Jayant and Vinita Manchanda from Kolmet Hospital, who offered physiotherapy and calcium level checking.
The evening of the 25th the venue shifted to Jesus’ Place for a joyous celebration of Christmas. Hardip Singh welcomed the sangat on behalf of Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Memorial Trust and explained that in keeping with Maharaj’s universal appreciation of all prophets, celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh’s birthday and Jesus’ Birthday were held on the same day at Gobind Sadan. Joginder Kaur and children of Gobind Sadan offered kirtan. Bhagat Ji was joined by Navtej Singh on harmonium and Gurpreet Singh on table for his soothing song about Jesus. Students from Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Public School presented environmental messages and sang Jingle Bells. Imam Jabar Ali of Gobind Sadan’s mosque told the story of Jesus’ birth as recounted in the Holy Qur’an. He emphasized that his Guru, Baba Virsa Singh Ji, taught the message of love, as did all the prophets, and he invited all the sangat to join in celebration of Prophet Mohammad’s birthday on January 15 at Gobind Sadan’s mosque. Reverend Bhaskar of St. Paul’s Church in Fatehpur Beri said, “I am always remembering this holy place where all religions are worshipped.” Joginder Singh of Gurdaspur spoke of his being cured by Maharaj’s hukam for him to worship in all religions’ holy places. He said, “You cannot divide the Light of God. Prophets are like rays from that Light. Gobind Sadan is the only place where that Light is undivided.”
Churchill Chadha, Trustee of Baba Virsa Singh Ji Maharaj Memorial Trust, closed the programme by saying, “Maharaj said that world peace will only come when we celebrate all holy days in all holy places.” Afterward, the whole sangat joined children of Gobind Sadan in joyfully dancing to Punjabi folk music. Costumed devotees from Kazakhstan also entertained children of the area with Christmas games. Candles were lit and cake was distributed to everyone in an extraordinarily happy and loving atmosphere, by Maharaj’s blessings.