On Parkash Purab of 4th guru of sikhs sri guru ram das ji, many prominent ragi jatha’s will be doing keertan in sri harmandir sahib. find below the time table for 9th october keertan duties inside golden temple.

2.45 am-3.45 am Bhai Guriqbal Singh Ji [Mata Kaulan Ji Taksal]

Asa di War – Bhai Sarabjit Singh Ji Ranglia Durg Wale

6.50 am-8.00 am – Bhai Harjinder Singh Ji [Srinagar Wale]

8.00 am -9.00 am – Bhai Sarabjeet Singh Ji

9.00 am – 10.00 am Bhai Lakhwinder Singh Ji [Hazuri Ragi Sri Harmandir Sahib]

10.00 am – 11.00 am Bhai Gurdev Singh Ji [Hazuri Ragi]

11.00 am – 12.00 pm Bhai Inderjeet Singh Ji [Hazuri Ragi]

12.00 pm – 1.10 pm Bhai Gurmeet Singh Ji Shaant [Jalandhar Wale]

1.10 pm – 2.20 pm Dr Gurnam Singh [Patiala ]

2.20 pm – 3.20 pm Bhai Manjit Singh Ji [Hazuri Ragi]

3.20 pm – 4.20 pm Bhai Amrik Singh Ji Zakhmi [Jalandhar Wale]

4.20 – 5.35 pm Bhai Gurmej Singh Ji [Ex- Hazuri Ragi]

5.35 pm – 6.45 pm [Sodar] Bhai Nirmal Singh Ji Khalsa [Padma Shri]

7.00 pm – 8.30 pm Bhai Ravinder Singh Ji [Hazuri Ragi]

8.30 pm – Samapti Bhai Baldev Singh Ji [Hazuri Ragi]

After losing Baba Sadhu Singh ji from Nanaksar few days back,it was another sad day for Sikh community after the boat which was taking 13 people in Harike Pattan during ‘jal parvah’ of baba ji’s remains,sunk and all fell into the water body.

As per latest reports,out of 13 people, 10 were taken out and three are still missing. Among the missing one’s are famous ragi, bhai zorawar singh ji (ludhiana) and bhai gurcharan singh ji who is son of another renowed ragi bhai harbans singh ji jagadhari and one more baba ji’s sewak harjinder singh. Baba Mangal Singh who was taken out and sent to hospital treatment could not survive and passed away.

LATEST UPDATE:: As per the information we received from one of the readers of blog,  that came in today, Bhai Zorawar Singhs body was found at Sigrur because of the being stuck with a large stone. He was cremated by the family. Bhai Gurcharan Singh’s body was not found till this post. Video of the boat accident can be seen on Youtube at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZr_y5Z9SjU

We are trying to get more details and will be updating the blog as soon as we hear something. If you have any news/links , please share them under comments section or mail to info@amritsarovar.com

Vienna/London: At least 11 people were injured, nine of them seriously when two groups of Sikh worshippers clashed with knives and handgun at a gurdwara in Vienna on Sunday, police said.

The fight erupted following a dispute over the sermon given by a priest from Shri Guru Ravidas Sabha.

Police said at least six men, one wielding a gun and the others knives, attacked the preacher as others rushed to his aid, resulting in the melee.

Police spokesman Michael Takacs said one of the attackers is in critical condition, while the wounds of the others were less serious. Five suspects have been arrested, he said.

Police said nine people were severely wounded when members of two families started shooting at each other. Five people suffered head shots and stab wounds, Austrian Press Association said in a report on its website.

It quoted a witness Jasuf Kalden as saying that the fight erupted after a dispute over the sermon, given by Guru Ravidas Sabha.

Takacs said more people might have been slightly hurt and have run outside the gurdwara before police arrived.

Earlier the emergency rescue services had put the number of injured at thirty. Four ambulances and three medical helicopters transported the victims to different hospitals.

The gurdwara is located in Vienna-Rudolfsheim, the capital’s 15th district.

More details will be updated soon. please share the links and news sources if you have in comments section. Tension is prevailing in local cities in Punjab and all the news channels have been broadcasting to take precautions and not go outside.

With latest news coming, Curfew has been imposed in city of Jalandhar, where a large number of protests have been taking place since the Vienna Gurudwara attack.

News Source TI

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Heartiest gurpurab greetings on Parkash Purab [Birth Day] of 5th Guru Of Sikhs, Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji. World celebrates his 446th Birth Anniversary of of first martydom of Sikh History .

Guru Arjan was born in Goindwal, a small town in Amritsar district, on April 15, 1563 . He was the youngest son of Guru Ram Das and Bibi Bhani. As a child, one day he found his way to the bed of Guru Amar Das who was then resting. His mother ran to fetch the child before he could disturb the Guru, but he had already awakened the Guru, who revealed, “Let him come to me; ‘yeh mera dohita bani ka bohita howega’- this grandson of mine shall be a ship to take mankind across the ocean of the world.”

Guru Arjan was married to Ganga , daughter of Krishen Chand, a resident of Meo village near Phillor in Jullundhur district. The marriage took place in 1589 when he was about 26 years old. Guru Ram Das began excavation of two tanks named Santokhsar and Amritsar and started the foundation of the city of Ramdaspur . After his father, Guru Arjan applied himself to the task of completing the tanks and extending the city. It was his practice to go every day and superintend the work.

You can read more about Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji on Amritsarovar Website  or Click Here

Send in the pictures, news, reports on celebrations of Gurpurab in your area to info@amritsarovar.com

Last friday on ‘Dance India Dance’ aired on popular indian channel Zee TV, Rachpal Kaur – a sikh lady showed the world what courage, strength and being Sikh is all about. She performed ‘Gatka’ which is popular martial art of sikhs and needs lot of practice to become master. Rachpal being visually challenged is unable to see the world through her eyes but has loads of faith in Waheguru and believes strongly that she will be able to see the world and her two and half year old son soon. This lady from Chandigarh has all praises for Waheguru , Her Teacher who teaches her martial arts and her family who had supported her all the way. After the performance,Mithun Chakravorthy , who is chief judge of show and other three judges stood up to Salute the lady. 

Watch the video and share other such stories if you have. we will love to showcase them to world.

I was talking to my friend Jasdeep Singh and he shared this poem with me on real picture of Guru Nanak Dev. This poem is originally written in punjabi by Jaswant Singh Zafar and Jasdeep translated it in English.

Sharing both of the versions below.

ਨਾਨਕ 

ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ
ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਬਹੁਤ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਹੈ
ਨਾਨਕ ਦੀ ਅਸ੍ਲੀ ਤਸਵੀਰ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਧਰਨਾ
ਪੈਂਡੇ ਦੀ ਧੂੜ ਨਾਲ ਲੱਥ ਪੱਥ ਪਿੰਜਣੀਆਂ
ਤਿੜਕੀਆਂ ਅੱਡੀਆਂ
ਨ੍ਹੇਰੀ ਨਾਲ ਉਲ੍ਝੀ ਖੁਸ਼੍ਕ ਦਾਹ੍ੜੀ
ਤੇ ਚਿਹਰੇ ਦੀਆਂ ਉਭਰੀਆਂ ਹੱਡੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਡੂਂਘ ‘ਚ
ਦਗਦੀਆਂ ਮਘਦੀਆਂ ਤੇਜ਼ ਅੱਖਾਂ
ਅੱਖਾਂ ਜੋ -
ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ
ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ
ਤੇ ਹਰ ਸੰਸਕਾਰ ਨੂੰ
ਟਿੱਚ ਜਾਣਦੀਆਂ
ਬਹੁਤ ਖਤਰਨਾਕ ਸਿੱਧ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੈ
ਸਾਡੇ ਲਈ ਅਸ੍ਲੀ ਨਾਨਕ

ਸਾਨੂੰ ਤਾਂ ਸੋਭਾ ਸਿੰਘੀ ਮੂਰਤਾਂ ਵਾਲਾ
ਨਾਨਕ ਹੀ ਸੂਟ ਕਰਦਾ ਹੈ
ਸ਼ਾਂਤ
ਲੀਨ
ਲਕਸ਼ਮੀ ਦੇਵੀ ਵਾਂਗ ਉਠਾਇਆ ਹੱਥ
ਹੱਥ ‘ਚੋਂ ਫੁਟਦੀ ਮਿਹਰ
ਤੇ ਅੱਖਾਂ ‘ਚੋਂ ਡੁੱਲ ਡੁੱਲ ਪੈਂਦੀ ਕੋਮਲਤਾ
ਸਨ ਸਿਲ੍ਕੀ ਸ਼ਫਾਫ ਦਾਹ੍ੜੀ
ਗੋਲ ਮਟੋਲ ਗੋਰੀਆਂ ਗੁਲਾਬੀ ਗੱਲ੍ਹਾਂ
ਫੇਅਰ ਐਂਡ ਲਵ੍ਲੀ
ਸੁਰਖ ਟਿਪ੍ਸੀ ਹੋਂਠ
ਮੁਲਾਇਮ ਜੈਮਿਨੀ ਪੈਰ
ਕੂਲੇ ਬਾਰਬੀ ਹੱਥ
ਪੈਗੰਬਰੀ ਵਸਤਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਏਰੀਅਲੀ ਨਿਖਾਰ

ਸਾਡੇ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਘਰਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਕੰਧਾਂ ਤੇ
ਨਾਨਕ ਦੇ ਸੋਭਾ ਸਿੰਘੀ ਚਿੱਤਰ ਹੀ ਟਿਕ ਸਕਦੇ
ਰਾਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੱਦ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ
ਖਤਰਨਾਕ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੀ ਅਸ੍ਲੀ ਤਸਵੀਰ ਦਾ ਭਾਰ
ਸਾਡੀ ਕੋਈ ਕੰਧ ਨਹੀਂ ਝੱਲ ਸਕਦੀ
ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ ਅਸੀਂ ਮਰ ਮਰ ਕੇ ਬਣਾਏ
ਘਰ ਨਹੀਂ ਢੁਆਉਣੇ
ਮਸਾਂ ਮਸਾਂ ਰੱਬ ਤੋਂ ਲਾਏ ਨਿਆਣੇ
ਹੱਥੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਗੁਆਉਣੇ
ਅਸੀਂ ਅਸ੍ਲੀ ਨਾਨਕ ਦੀ ਤਸਵੀਰ ਦਾ ਧਿਆਨ ਨਹੀਂ ਧਰ ਸਕਦੇ
ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ

Translated Version of original poem above:

Excuse Us
Its quite hard for us
To idolize real image of Naanak 
Legs messed up with dust of the tiring path
Cramped feet
rouged up beard by ..
eyes popping from the facial bone structure
dazzling renegade eyes
eyes –
which challenge
the family
the regime
and every ritual

Real Naanak
can prove dangerous to us

Naanak imitated in the paintings of Sobha Singh
is well suited for us
peaceful
spiritual
hand shown like Goddess Lakhsmi
and the generosity withering from the hand
eyes full of delicacy
clean sun silked beard
round fair cheeks
fair and lovely
rosy tipsy lips
soft gemini feet
delicate barbie hands

The walls of our home can only hold
Naanak imitated in the paintings of Sobha Singh
Naanak who challenged the paths traveled by others
That Dangerous Naanak’s real picture
is quite bulky for our walls..

Excuse us..

the homes we created with labour of blood,
we can’t afford ruining them,
kids we got with God’s grace,
we can’t afford losing them,

we can not idolize the real image of Naanak
Excuse us

Source : Excerpts from poem ‘Naanak’ by poet/cartoonist Jaswant Singh Zafar ( ਜਸਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਜ਼ਫਰ ) ’s second poetry book ” Asin naanak de ki lagde haan “. He is an Engineer by profession .English Translation is by Jasdeep Singh

View of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Nishaan Sahib

First Glimpse of Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji when you step down from stairs

Ramgharia Bunge

These are the Ramgharia Bunge and Ek Ongkar lit in between. Behind these is Guru Ramdas Langar – a free kitchen open 24 hours a day for community. 

It would be great to hear your comments and feedback on this post. Please add in comments section or mail us info@amritsarovar.com

By Paulo Coelho

Sri Ramakrisna tells the story of a man who was about the cross a river, when master Bibhishana came over, wrote a name on a leaf, tied it to the man’s back, and said:

- Don’t be afraid. Your faith will help you walk on the waters. But the minute you lose faith, you will drown.

The man trusted Bibhishana, and began to walk on the waters, without any difficulty. At a certain point, he had an overwhelming desire to know what his master had written on the leaf tied to his back.

He took it and read what was written:

“Oh god Rama, help this man to cross the river.”

“Is that all?” thought the man. “And who is this god Rama, anyway?”

The moment this doubt became lodged in his mind, he was submerged and drowned in the strong current.

Courtesy – Paulo Coelho Blog