The Tribune – Devotees allowed to carry Palki Sahib

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 22. The SGPC has resumed the practice of allowing devotees to carry the “Palki Sahib” with the Guru Granth Sahib on their shoulders from Sri Akal Takht to Sri Harmandar Sahib early in the morning every day, a day after it came to light that the practice was being disallowed due to delay caused.

While the SGPC Chief Avtar Singh Makkar could not be contacted, his PA Manjeet Singh confirmed that the practice has been resumed. He said though things are back to the normal, if still there are any problems they will hold a meeting with the devotees to sort them out. Earlier, the practice was discontinued reportedly on the orders of the Manager, Darbar Sahib, after the installation of Guru Granth Sahib inside the sanctum sanctorum got delayed by 15 minutes on the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ram Das allegedly due to the devotees.

The practice to carry “Palki Sahib” holds tremendous significance for the devotees who throng the Golden Temple in the wee hours to participate in the process. As per the tradition, a “Palki” (palanquin) gilded with gold and silver is prepared for bringing Guru Granth Sahib from the Akal Takht to the Harmandar Sahib. Fresh silk brocade, coverings and cushions are laid in the Palki.

A priest (granthi) of the Golden Temple appears with the Guru Granth Sahib on a cushion on his head and the worshippers bow their heads. He places Guru Granth Sahib on the cushions of Palki Sahib. Hymns, accompanied with drums and nagaras fill the air with rhythm, music and piousness.

Within half an hour, the devotees, who line up on either side of the passage to share the honour of carrying the “Palki Sahib”, reach the Darshani Deorhi, along with Guru Granth Sahib. The head priest reverentially carries the Guru Granth Sahib to the sanctum sanctorum for ‘Parkash” (installation) ceremony.

The ceremony is witnessed by a huge rush of devotees and is held between the Akal Takht and the Darshani Deorhi.

The same process is repeated at night for bringing back the Guru Granth Sahib from Harmandar Sahib to the Akal Takht for “Sukh Assan”. The timing of the ceremony though varies as per the season. In summers, the ceremony takes place at 4 in the morning while in winters the time is is 5 am.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111023/punjab.htm#8

The Sikh Coalition – Best wishes on Guru Nanak Dev’s Gurpurabh

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

The Sikh Coalition wishes everyone the best in celebrating Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab! 
 
On this beautiful occasion, we remember what it means to be a Sikh. We are reminded of the Guru’s vision of how to live: embrace all people, fight for equality, and to live in eternal optimism, 
Chardi Kala. 
 
We also remember today that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the first Sikh human rights activist, fighting to rid the world of casteism, gender inequality, and other forms of discrimination. It is with Guru Sahib in mind that we enthusiastically join the fight for justice for everyone.
 
Without your faith and commitment, this institution and its impact would not be possible. Effectively fighting the highest levels of government, the largest corporations and protecting Sikhs across the country is only because of you. We thank you for all you do.

Enjoy Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurupurab! 
 
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

The Sikh Coalition is a community-based organization that works towards the realization of civil and human rights for all people. The Coalition serves as a resource on Sikhs and Sikh concerns for governments, organizations and individuals.

The Sikh Coalition relies on your financial support to sustain its initiatives and broaden its services. In addition to supporting the Sikh Coalition directly, we encourage you to use matching donation programs offered by many employers. The Sikh Coalition is a 501c (3) non-profit organization.

Thank you for your support.

The Sikh Coalition
40 Exchange Pl.
Suite 728 New York, NY 10005
T 212.655.3095
www.sikhcoalition.org

SRM – Sikh Relay Marathon, 29/08/2010 Results

Tuesday, 31 August, 2010
From: Harmander Singh harmanders@btinternet.com 

Dear all,

First of all, on behalf of the Sikh Sports Association, I wish to thank everyone for participating in the race and making it an enjoyable day.

The Mayor of Redbridge will also be pleased to learn that the £1,000 donation from the entry fee the SRM makes each year to the Mayor’s Charity is safe.

We are also grateful to our friends at Frontrunner.org.uk who supply the clock, T-shirts, medals and running numbers at discount prices.

Our regular Paramedics do a great job in patching us up enough to finish the race (just kidding) are also deserving of their medal.

The race route is made safe from overhanging branches just in time by the dedicated staff at London Borough oof Redbridge and some of our Race Marshalls.

Last but not least, the SSA volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes for long periods before the race and then have the energy to combine their responsibilities on race day with taking part in the race itself – we are pleased that our Junior team has finally started to beat the Classic team – maybe they can take over the organising soon too.

This year, special thanks go to Cyan Irwin who travelled from Eire and hosted our guest from the European Interfaith Team ( Petra – from Luxembourg ) – who was roped into helping out at registration which Kamal Palray had developed into a fine art previously.

We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused by the restriction on the convenience (sic) but are grateful for the Hospital for their help.

Before I forget, the race results were remarkable in the battle for first, second and third place till the very end and made for an exciting finish when last years course record was equalled – but could have been broken.

Just for the record, I retained my fastest Maternal Grandfather title – as no-one challenged me for it – my time of just under 11 minutes and 30 seconds for 2km last year will take some beating by any Sikh grandfather I guess.

The Results

1. Barking Road Runners                                     2h 34m 40s
2. East London Runners – A                                2h 39m 32s
3. Baba Fateh Singh  Gatka Runners                3h 19m 24s
4. East London Runners – B                                3h 23m 22s
5. Sikhs In The City Juniors                                 3h 42m 30s
6. Sikhs In The City Classics                                4h 21m 18s 
7. Team Nimrata                                                       4h 31m 00s
8. Kids Team                                                               4h 43m 30s
9. Redbridge Faith Forum                                    5h 10m 10s (including Man in Blue)
10. Sikh Women’s Alliance                                      5h 14m 21s
11. Sikhs In the City Vintage                                  5h 29m 27s

This year we are grateful to the following for sponsoring the event financially:

• Azad Electricals
• B&B Cash and Carry Limited
• BBL
• Guru Nanak Satsangh Sabha Gurdwara (Karamsar) UK
• JSB Construction Limited
• Pimlico Plumbers
• Singh Sabha London East Gurdwara
• Sharads Fine Jewellery

Further thanks to Manjit Singh, Sulakhan Singh Jandu and Harbans Singh Seehra

 

Proud of our ninth place !
From right to left :
Noel, Petra (Luxemburg), Bala (Redbridge Faith Forum), Sian (Ireland) and
Baba Harjinder Singh – the Man in Blue

United Sikhs – Punjab Devastated In Floods; Community Members Urged To Support Relief Efforts

Efforts in Indian Panjab: http://unitedsikhs.org/punjab/panjab_flood_2010.php 
Efforts in Pakistan Panjab:  http://unitedsikhs.org/pak_floods/ 

11th August 2010          Press Release          27th Sawan (Samvat 541 Nanakshahi)

Peshawar, Pakistan: Severe floods  have led to a critical condition of people in the Punjab region and as authorities continue to warn of more rain to come, the situation promises to be much worse. According to an estimate by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), 13.8 million people have been impacted by the devastation caused by the floods and landslides in Pakistan, affecting more people than during any of the prior natural disasters, including the earthquake in Haiti in early 2010.

Due to heavy rains and floods, communication and infrastructure have been suspended in the major cities of Pakistan. Food prices have soared, and availability of basic necessities is limited. Flash floods and acute food shortages have compounded the problems already created by the internal conflicts and violence in North-Western Frontier Province (NWFP). Prices of basic vegetables have increased sharply, making them unaffordable by most of the population. Agriculture is deeply affected; land and crops ready for harvest are washed away.                                                       
 
All over the affected areas, thousands of people were trapped in the flood water. In Nowshera city, 13 Sikhs were among those stranded on rooftops of their business establishments, waiting for help to arrive. Lives are at a standstill for Sikhs and other community members who have lost their homes and small businesses, their only means of livelihood. 

United Sikhs is ramping up its ongoing disaster relief work in NWFP in Pakistan for the community members displaced because of the ongoing conflict, and for the farmers hit by the floods in Punjab, India. We appeal to members of the Sangat to support the organization in a disaster situation affecting many of our brothers and sisters.

We are doing every thing we can, but we need your continued support! Please donate generously; and no amount is too little.Your donations will help provide basic needs for disaster victims who have lost everything they have.

Cash donations are most preferred, since it will allow us to purchase supplies on ground and ensure quicker turnarounds (since roads are severely affected, transportation is difficult). However, should you prefer to make in kind donations, UN OCHA has identified the following items as critical to disaster relief in Pakistan: food, clean water, medical care, shelter and household goods. There are also other ways you can help generate funds for the aid efforts:

• Hold a small fundraising event. We will do our utmost to work with you. Email sikhaid@unitedsikhs.org for ideas and possibilities.
• Make a donation by check made payable to UNITED SIKHS. These can be sent to your local UNITED SIKHS office. You can find the details at http://unitedsikhs.org/contact.php#IN  
• Encourage friends and family to donate online at http://www.unitedsikhs.org/donate

To view a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS Disaster Relief efforts,please visit:

http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-31-07-2010-00.html

For our earlier work in Pakistan please see
http://vimeo.com/648555
http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-23-05-2010-00.html?

Issued by:

Herdyal Singh
Project Aid Coordinator, Pakistan
1-888-243-1690, 1-646-688-3525
sikhaid@unitedsikhs.org