Serving over 22 millions NRIs worldwide
Most trusted Name in the NRI media
We never stop working for you, NRI PEOPLE- OUR NETWORK
 
 

 

The Nagar Kirtan by Sikh Gurdwara, Riverside, California, Nov. 26, 2006

 

Sikh Gurdwara Riverside celebrate 300 years Gurgadi purab of Guru Granth Sahib Ji by Nagar Kirtan
(See pictures below)

Los Angles, Nov. 27, 2006
NRI press

More than 2000 Sikh NRIs from Riverside Side County and Los Angles area get together in Sikh Gurdwara Riverside (approximately 60 miles from LA airport) to celebrate 300 years Gurgadi purab of Sacred Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

This procession, move through the streets and lanes of the city (2.5 long) and are accompanied by music, singing and chanting scriptures and hymns. Large number of devotees including women, school children, band parties and members of various Sikh religious organizations such as three other Gurdwars from LA area-Vermont Gurdwara, Lankersim Gurdwara and Walnut are also participate. This is the first Nagar Kirtan held in Inland Empire, LA area.

Every year, the Nagar Kirtan Processions around the World, are carried out with much gusto in countries where there is a significant Sikh population. Vasaikhi Processions of Yuba City, and Toronto are particularly remarkable.

‘Nagar’ means town and ‘Kirtan’ is a term that means singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. The term, ‘Nagar Kirtan’ therefore effectively describes the most essential feature of Baisakhi Procession, which is recitation of hymns from Guru Granth Sahib through the streets of the town. The Nagar Kirtans is the term most popularly used for traditional Processions lead by Panj Pyaras.

The Nagar Kirtan is started with Panj Piyaras

The Nagar Kirtan is started with Panj Piyaras (5 beloved ones) who walk in front of the Sacred Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The Panj Piyaras are Amritdhari: – baptized Khalsa Singhs.

  • The number five (5) is very significant as it was on the day of Vaisakhi 1699 that our Tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the order of Khalsa by baptizing 5 volunteers from each corner of India and from different backgrounds.
  • These five (5) ‘Panj Piyaras’ were given this reference by our 10th Guru Ji himself as they selflessly presented themselves at the call for their lives.
  • It was these Panj Piyaras who amongst 80,000 stood up and entered the tent where Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked for the head of his Beloved Sikhs.
  • It was to everyone’s amazement that the Panj Piyaras came out of the tent alive and in glorious valour dressed in the 5 Ks, as they had the holy ceremony of Amrit Shakna performed by Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
  • Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave so much honor to these Panj Piyaras as they were the 1st Amritdhari Singhs (baptized) that our Guru Ji himself bowed to the Panj Piyaras and took Amrit (Baptism) from them. This was followed by the entire sangat (worshippers) participating in the sacred ceremony of Amrit Shakna and when the Khalsa Panth for formed.

In Nagar Kirtan, many are not wearing any shoes regardless of weather conditions, clean the roads before the Panj Piyaras and our Sacred Guru Granth Sahib Ji is transported and Sadh Sangat are also singing the praises of Waheguru throughout the route. When participating in the Nagar Kirtan, one can truly reach a state of Nirvana when indulging in the singing of Kirtan while following the Sacred Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This is what the Nagar Kirtan is all about.

You will see young and old, Sikh, non-Sikh that follow the Nagar Kirtan route, stand on the sides and freely distribute refreshments to all alike. The Nagar Kirtan is concluded as the Sacred Guru Granth Sahib Ji enters the Gurdwara and the whole Sadh Sangat stands still for the Ardaas . The majority of the Sadh Sangat cover their heads, this is a significant sign of respect to the presence of our Sacred Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

The color Orange dress is in honor of the Khalsa Panth, as the Panj Piyaras were robed in Orange, this is the color of the Khalsa.

Sadh Sangat was also enjoy eating of delicious food, like pakorae, jalebian, ladoo, sholay bhatoorae and chips etc


All photos at Nagar Kirtan of Sikh Gurdwara, Riverside, California, Nov. 26, 2006:




Ron Loveridge, Mayor of Riverside and Paranjit Singh, (Chairman, Board of Director)...084









Amarjit Sidhu, Amarjit Dhindsa, Gurjpal Manan, Mr. Khirana, Paranjit Singh, (Chairman, Board of Director), Mr. Sandhu, Lt.. Scot Collins of Riverside Sherrif dept. , Surinderpal Khurana and Surjit Kahlon....073:




Puran Sandhu, Surinderpal Khurana, Balbir Jhawar, Kanwaljit Dohal, Paramjit Singh, Chairman, Lt. Scot Collins of Riverside Sherrif dept, Bharpur Takhar (Secretary, Boars of Director), Dalip Singh (Singh Chevrolet, Riverside)...075







Joginder Singh, Paranjit Singh, (Chairman, Board of Director), Ron Loveridge, Mayor of Riverside , Lt. Scot Collins of Riverside Sherrif dept., Puran Sandhu, Dalip Singh (Singh Chevrolet, Riverside), Gurajpal Manan, Harinder Singh, and Baljit Bath ( Treasure)..098


Joginder Singh, Paranjit Singh, (Chairman, Board of Director), Ron Loveridge, Mayor of Riverside , Riverside Police dept. Lt. Mr. Lee, Puran Sandhu, Dalip Singh (Singh Chevrolet, Riverside), and Gurajpal Manan