A Joyous 555th Parkash Jayanti Celebration

 

~ Gurdwara Sikh Satsang in Indianapolis commemorated the 555th Junnam Dihara Gurupurab of Guru Nanak Devjee (1469-1538) with great enthusiasm and joyful excitement.
 

We wish the global Sikh community and our interfaith friends a Happy Gurpurab; and people of all faiths, cultures, and nationalities; and everyone Happy and Blessed Celebrations of their Cherished Traditions.  

 

The Venerable contemporary Poets and Bards described Guru Nanak as a brilliant Spiritual Light that lifted the fog of darkness of divisions and conflicts among faiths, with his call for interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence. Guru Nanak's unifying message reminded India and later the world during his 26 years of travel to far away lands and religious centers of major faiths: The Oneness of God as Eternal Truth, and Waheguru (Wonderful Lord-God) as the Father and Mother of all beings; each is invested with the same Divine Light - proclaiming equality, justice, and dignity of all people.
 

Notable Spiritual and Service Highlights of Indy Gurpurab Celebration:
 

A multi-generation gathering of over 1,100 followers from across the State of Indiana and beyond.
 

Sikh lady-sevaks in their festive traditional attires prepared Langar (vegetarian lunch) in the Gurdwara kitchen for all congregants
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There were presentations of Shabad-Keertan (singing of sacred hymns), recitations of designated Banis (Sacred Texts) from Siri Guru Granth Sahib - the Sikh Holy Scriptures, by accomplished spiritual leaders - Granthis (learned religious teachers), Raagis (religious singers), Kathakars (learned interpreters of scriptures and religious discourse leaders), and the Sikh Satsang sevadar-leaders
 

There was discourse and narrations about the life, legacy, teachings, historical happenings and societal environment at the time of the birth of Guru Nanak Devjee at Nanakana Sahib in the Punjab, India.
 

In the Parking lot, there were demonstrations of the traditional Sikh martial arts by the youth and their instructors.
 

 Also in the Parking Lot, there were three colorful Blood Mobiles where over 125 Hoosier Sikhs participating in donating blood for area Hospital(s). These annual donations are upward of 350 Blood Units.       

 

 There was a Donation Table for people to donate money for the a grand Gurdwara under construction next to the present building; nearly a quarter million Dollars was raised for the new building. Hoosier Sikh leaders: Maninder Singh Walia, Gurpreet Singh, Harpreet Sandhu, Jasvir Lalli, and Hardi Sikand, and other Trusties are spearheading this effort to raise funds for this Gurdwara at the Crossroads-of-America in the Hoosier Heartland. The building will be open to all and will add a beautiful spiritual center on Indiana's religious landscape. This phase of the Project is expected to cost over $15 Million.                                                                                                                           

 

PRAYERFUL REFLECTION: From one or two Sikhs in late sixty's, today we are witnessing a major influx (may be over 10,000 families) of Sikh Americans in Indianapolis Metropolitan area. They are bringing talents, experiences, a robust pioneer energy and new investments to the Hoosier Heartland.

We welcome their Ethnic Businesses, Specialty Shops, Trucking Companies, a wide range of Services and Skills, and Professional Pursuits as they make Indiana their home, and to serve Indiana. We are seeing their desire and struggles to mainstream their energies and gifts, and also their concerns about their faith, culture, faith-mandated sacred articles, their sense of belonging and hurdles in engagement, and also their hopes and dreams.
 

For our honorable Governor Eric Holcomb's promise of "One Indiana For All," each of us need to be a partner, not just an expectant spectator, to make such a dream becoming a reality. We believe that would be our best tribute to Guru Nanak who LIVED AND TAUGHT THE WORLD about our Oneness and to respect all beings, engage in seva (selfless service), and to share our blessings that MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR ALL. ~

Respectfully and with a joyous Sut Siri Akal, - Kanwal Prakash KP Singh (KP Singh Designs) - Indianapolis - November 17, 2024. (with Maninder Singh Walia, Gurdwara Sikh Satsang Gurpreet Singh, Harpreet Sandhu Chirjeev Kaur Oberoi, Saurabh Raj Singh, Raju for Indiana, Diego Morales Charlie Wiles, Gurdip Singh Narula, Jennifer Robinson, Harbhajan Singh, Monica Ramsey, Monica Bowles Kozlowski, Susie Hudson, Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, Harbans Lal, Janelle Morrison, Jerry Zehr Kulwinder Sng, Jay Singh, Anita Hjorth Lerche, Rodney Lloyd, Joyce A Bean Ketels, Tochi Dhadialla, Doug Brown, Swarn Kalsi, Amy Conrad Warner, Rupal Thakker Thanawala, Rajwant Singh, Kiran Kaur Gill, Mayor Joe Hogsett, André Carson, Jasjit Kaur)