Heartiest Greetings on Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. 

Today, on 5th January, World is celebrating 343rd Birth Anniversary of 10th Guru of Sikhs, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The tenth Nanak infused the spirit of both the saintlihood and the undauntedness in the minds and hearts of his followers to fight oppression in order to restore justice, righteousness (Dharma) and to uplift the down-trodden people in this world.

After the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the tenth Master declared that he would create such a Panth (nation) which would not be cowed down by tyrant rulers but it would rather challenge the oppressor in every walk of life to restore justice, equality and peace for mankind. He further resolved that he would feel worthy to be called Gobind Singh only when any single member of his Khalsa Panth would successfully and undauntedly challenge the army of one hundred and twenty-five thousand opponents in the field. This point was rightfully proven at Chamkaur Sahib when Sahibzada Ajit Singh (Guru’s about 18 years old eldest son) challenged the Mughal forces and their allies, the hilly Rajas.

You can read more about Sri Guru Gobind Singh on Amritsarovar Website or Click here.

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

“Dharam Het Saaka Jin Keeya ; Sees Diaa Par Sirar Naa Deeya”

World is observing 333th Shaheedi Diwas [Martyrdom] of 9th Guru of Sikhs, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji.

About the Execution :

The Delhi Emperor, Aurangzeb cherished the ambition of converting India into a land of Islam. This philosophy was also pleaded by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1569-1624), leader of the Naqashbandi School, to counter the liberal policies of Akbar’s reign.

The Emperor’s experiment was first carried out in Kashmir. The viceroy of Kashmir, Iftikar Khan (1671-75) carried out the policy vigorously and set about converting non-Muslims by force.

A group of Kashmiri Pandits approached Guru Tegh Bahadur and asked for help. They, on the advice of the Guru, told the Mughal authorities that they would willingly embrace Islam if their Guru, Tegh Bahadur, did the same.

Orders of the arrest of the Guru were issued by Aurangzeb, who was in present day North West Frontier Province of Pakistan subduing Pushtun rebellion. The Guru was arrested at a place called Malikhpur near Anandpur after he had departed from Anandpur for Delhi. Before departing he nominated his son, Gobind Rai (Guru Gobind Singh) as the next Sikh Guru.

He was arrested, along with some of his followers, by Nur Muhammad Khan of the Rupnagar police post at the village Malikhpur Rangharan, in Ghanaula Parganah, and sent to Sirhind the following day. The Faujdar (Governor) of Sirhind, Dilawar Khan, ordered him to be detained in Bassi Pathana and reported the news to Delhi. His arrest was made in July 1675 and he was kept in custody for over three months. He was then cast in an iron cage and taken to Delhi in November 1675.

The Guru was put in chains and ordered to be tortured until he would accept Islam. When he could not be persuaded to abandon his faith to save himself from persecution, he was asked to perform some miracles to prove his divinity. On his refusal, Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded in public at Chandni Chowk on November 11, 1675. Guru Ji is also known as ” Hind Di Chadar” ie to save hinduism , Guru Ji gave his life.

Guru Gobind Singh has written about the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur in Bachitra Natak:

“Tilak Janjhu Rakha Prabh Taaka ; Keeno Bado Kaloo Maih Saaka”

“Guru Tegh bahadur was the protector of the tilak (ointment) and janeu (sacred thread) of the Hindus. In the land of the gods rang shouts of adoration.”

Guru Tegh Bahadur was martyred in Delhi by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandni Chowk, Delhi, was built over where the Guru was beheaded, and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, also in Delhi, is built on the site of the residence of Lakhi Shah Vanjara, a disciple of the Guru, who burnt his house in order to cremate the Guru’s body.  [Sources:Wiki]

Celebrations of 539th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji continue all across the globe with people remembering the guru’s teaching and paying obeisance. Following is a round up of some celebrations. As we continue to get more information, we will keep updating this post.

Gurmat Camp in Rakab Ganj Sahib - Celebrating Gurpurab of sri guru nanak dev ji, Sikhisidak - a group of sikh volunteers in Delhi, organized ‘Bacheyan di Fulwari’ - A gurmat camp for children at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in New  Delhi on Thursday.As told by Harmeet Singh from Sikhisidak, it turned to be a huge success with more than 600 children attending various workshops on sikh history,turban tying,gurbani learning and many more presentations.Following a successful camp, such events are being planned across the delhi region.

Norco Sangat Celebrates Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab -After a long time, the Norco Gurdwara opened its doors to host a celebration like no other. The Sikh Gurdwara Sadh Sangat hosted Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Prakash Divas. The Gurdwara was decorated with lights and ornaments as hundreds of people gathered for the celebration at the Gurdwara. Ragi Jathas from all over the world performed Kirtan, as well as, members of the International Institute of Gurmat Studies. Community members welcomed one another at the Gurdwara as they provided langar and a homely atmosphere for everyone who attended the celebrations [IE]

Hyderabad Sangat Celebrates Guru Nanak Jayanti - 539th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji was celebrated on thursday with thousands of Sikh devotees and other community faiths celebrating it with religious fervour, gaiety and devotion by offering prayers.The major attraction of the concluding event was jointly organised under the aegis of Prabhandak Committees, Gurudwara Guru Singh Sabha, Ashok Bazar and Gurudwara Saheb Secunderabad where over 25,000 to 30,000 Sikh devotees and other community faith participated in the “VISHAAL KEERTAN DARBAR” (MASS CONGREGATION) by offering prayers to Guru Granth SahIb Ji (Holy Scripture of Sikhs) at N T R Stadium, near Indira Park.[Sikhnet]
 
Badal visits Golden Temple -At Sri Harmandir Sahib,Thousands of devotees paying obeisance at the shrine since the early hours of Thursday. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Thursday cleaned shoes and utensils at the Golden Temple,Amritsar as the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji was celebrated across the state.

Badal, accompanied by his wife, Surinder Kaur, reached the Golden Temple complex to pay obeisance. They first went to the shoes counter of the shrine and cleaned footwear of devotees who had come to the shrine.Later, both went to the Langar hall where they partook of the food and then washed the utensils.Badal even served Langar to the devotees.

If you have any news,pictures and videos to share on celebrations of Gurpurab, mail them at info@amritsarovar.com . we will be updating this post with same.

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

Heartiest Greetings from AmritSarovar Team on the occasion of 539th Parkash Purab [Birth day] of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

 Guru Nanak Dev Ji (15 April 1469 - 7 May 1539) is the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus of the Sikhs. He was born in the village of Talwandi, also called Rai Bhoe-ki Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib, near Lahore in present-day Pakistan. He was born, according to all ancient Sikh records, in the early morning of the third day of the light half of the month of Baisakh (April - May) in the year 1469 AD.

Guru Nanak founded & formalized the three pillars of Sikhism:

1. Naam Japna [Recite the name of Almighty]- Guru ji led the Sikhs directly to practice Simran and Naam Japna – meditation on God through reciting, chanting, singing and constant remembrance followed by deep study & comprehension of God’s Name and virtues. In real life to practice and tread on the path of Dharam (righteousness) - The inner thought of the Sikh thus stays constantly immersed in praises and appreciation of the Creator and the ONE ETERNAL GOD Waheguru.

2. Kirat Karni [Work hard]- He expected the Sikhs to live as honorable householders and practice Kirat Karni – To honestly earn by ones physical and mental effort while accepting both pains & pleasures as God’s gifts and blessings. One is to stay truthful at all times and, fear none but the Eternal Super Soul. Live a life founded on decency immersed in Dharam - life controlled by spiritual, moral & social values.

3. Vand Chakna [Sharing and Consuming Together] - The Sikhs were asked to share their wealth within the community by practicing Vand Chakna – “Share and consume together”. The community or Sadh Sangat is an important part of Sikhism. One must be part of a community that is living the flawless objective values set out by the Sikh Gurus and every Sikh has to contribute in whatever way possible to the common community pool. This spirit of Sharing and Giving is an important message from Guru Nanak.

For detailed information on life of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Click here

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

Sat Sri Akal, a Punjabi movie,a socio-religious family entertainment movie is releasing today to commemorate 300th anniversary of Gurgaddi Divas of Guru Granth Sahib ji.

The movie, production of Mata Tripta Ji Charitable Trust and Frankfinn Entertainment Company Pvt Ltd is a story revolving around the love, sentiments and faith towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The narrative of the movie affirms and reiterates that Almighty God always stands by the ones who are drenched in His love and have full trust in Him. Based on true happenings, the movie is a live account of a family having immense belief in Waheguru, a story splendidly told amongst heart rending gurbani/shabads sung by legends like Jagjit Singh, Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurty, Abhijit, Sadhna sargam and one sweet-romantic, another foot-tapping song by Sunidhi Chauhan.

The movie has been shot at the picturesque locations in Punjab (Mandi Gobindgarh, Rajpura and Sirhind), and Chandigarh. Considerable portion has also been shot at Sri Harmandir Sahib (Amritsar) and Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded and a sizeable portion  at Sri Bangla Sahib, Manali (HP) and Mumbai.

The movie revolves around traditional values, love, sentiments, and colossal faith towards the Almighty God. Particularly, it tends to inculcate immense belief towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the Gurbani enshrined within. The film tends to enlighten one on how Guru Granth Sahib is practical Guru in this modern world. For the first time, the “true to life” ambience of pilgrimage places like Sri Harmandar Sahib (Amritsar), Sri Hazur Sahib (Nanded) and Sri Bangla Sahib (Delhi) would be shown on 35 mm format.

It has a decent love story going through ups and downs of life, splendidly told amongst heart rendering Gurbani shabads sung by legends and foot-tapping songs. Music, a spell-binding and unique fusion of tradition and modernity, with 8 Gurbani shabads and 3 songs, all by celebrity singers, is one of the major highlights of the film. Three shabads in the soundtrack are rendered by the celebrated icon, Jagjit Singh in his soothing style. One shabad has been rendered by our beloved Ishmeet Singh (Late) as his first, last and only playback in any film. Though Ishmeet is not in this carnal world, his voice in Sat Sri Akal would continue to reverberate forever across the universe. Shabad sung by him is “Ditthe Sabhe Thaav Nahi Tudh Jehaya” .

Other renowned singers embellishing the soundtrack with their melodious voices include Alka Yagnik, Sunidhi Chauhan, Abhijeet, Sadhana Sargam, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Krishna, Ravinder, Feroz Khan and Richa Sharma. The soulful music has been composed by Ravinder Singh.The impressive star cast includes Kimi Verma, the most established actress of the contemporary Punjabi Cinema. Manpreet Singh, a turbaned Sikh guy from Bollywood plays the male lead against Kimi.Key roles have been played by the established bollywood actors like Arun Bali and Dolly Minhas, besides Avtar Gill, Manmeet Singh, Vivek Shauq, Neelu Kohli, and Nirmal Rishi. Pooja Tandon and Sonpreet are the promising newcomers making their maiden appearance in a mega film.

For more information on the film, wallpapers, music, view the promotional videos and cast details visit the official website of Sat Sri Akal - satsriakalmovie.com

Do send in your reviews and feedback on the film to info@amritsarovar.com.

AmritSarovar Team wishes you on the occasion of Diwali (Bandi Chorr Diwas) and 300 years of Guru Gaddi Diwas of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. 
May the festival of lights brings you confluence of happiness, bliss and prosperity. 
 
Bhai Gurdas Ji in his Vaaran has drawn an image of lamps
 
Diwali Di Raat Deevae Baleean (Lamps are lighted in the night of Diwali Festival), 
Taare Jaath Sunaath Ambur Bhaaleean (Stars of different variety appear in the sky) , 
 
Let us all remember Guruji and pray for one’s own relase from the imprisonment like 52 Rajas helped by Guruji to be freed from Gwalior fort. Let us pray for our liberation from the worldly bonds and act upon Guru’s path of truthfulness in the human life time i.e. to be one with Waheguru/Lord.
 
Talking about the significance of Diwali.Everyone knows of martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh ji but not aware about its association with Diwali. You may already know about its association with Diwali but I would like to share this with you, we also remember them everyday in our Ardas (Jina Singha Singhnia ne Dharam Het Bandh Bandh Kataye) 
 
Martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh Ji
 
An important Sikh event associated with Diwali is the martyrdom in 1734 of the elderly Sikh scholar and strategist Bhai Mani Singh, the Granthi (preacher) of Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). He had refused to pay a jaziya - special tax imposed by the Muslim rulers - on a religious meeting of the Khalsa on the Diwali day. This and other Sikh martyrdoms gave further momentum to the Khalsa struggle for freedom and eventually success in establishing the Khalsa rule north of Delhi
Bhai Mani Singh was a great scholar and he transcribed the final version of Guru Granth Sahib upon dictation from Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1704. He took charge of Harmandir Sahib’s management on 1708. In 1737, he received permission from Mughal governor of Punjab, Zakarya Khan for celebrating Diwali at Golden Temple for a massive tax of Rs. 5,000 (some authors say it was Rs 10,000). Invitations were sent to the Sikhs all over India to join Bandi Chhorh Diwas celebrations at Harmandir Sahib. Bhai Mani Singh thought he would collect the tax-money from the Sikhs as subscriptions who would assemble for the purpose of Diwali Celebrations. But Bhai Mani Singh Ji later discovered the secret plan of Zakarya Khan to kill the Sikhs during the gathering. Bhai Mani Singh Ji immediately sent message to all the Sikhs not to turn up for celebrations. Bhai Mani Singh could not manage to arrange the money to be paid for tax. Zakariya Khan was not happy about the situation and he ordered Bhai Mani Singh’s assassination at Lahore by ruthlessly cutting him limb-by-limb to death. Ever since, the great sacrifice & devotion of martyr Bhai Mani Singh Ji is remembered on the Bandi Chhorh Diwas (Diwali) celebration.

300 saal guru de naal

As celebrations start at Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, we try to bring our beloved close to us.Why not have a mobile ringtone so that we remember him whenever the phone rings? We have 300 Saal Guru De Naal Ringtone which is in MP3 format and is simply great one to have. The ringtone is cut-edit of title track sung by Daler Mehndi for Jagriti Yatra. If you want it , just put your e-mail address in comments section, we will forward the same to you.If you have phone which supports MP3 format ringtones,dont miss it.

Lately, I have been reading Unditthi Duniya (The Mystical Invisible World) by Bhai Randhir Singh Ji. Bhai Sahib talks a lot about infidels, atheists and all those sort of people, their thinking and reasons to why they think that way.

The only reason that justifies their reasoning of denying the existence of the invisible and incomprehensible Lord is because He is not seen with their bodily organ of eye.

Bhai Sahib observes a trend that, “Many professed theists, nominal Sikhs and followers of other religious faiths are getting inclined towards atheism.”

However, true that is, “the realization of Eternal God, ‘Waheguru’ is possible only while following the Guru’s teaching and not otherwise. Whosoever has realized the Truth, has attained liberation in life itself. He is rid of transmigration (to pass into another body after death) and rebirth is no more for him. Such a one enters Court-Divine as the glorified, honoured and divinely accepted with Robe of honour.”

And one should have no questions unanswered after reading what Guru Nanak says,

ਸਚੀ ਕਾਰੈ ਸਚੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਗੁਰਮਤਿ ਪਲੈ ਪਾਇ||

ਸੋ ਨਰੁ ਜੰਮੈ ਨਾ ਮਰੈ ਨਾ ਆਵੈ ਨਾ ਜਾਇ||

ਨਾਨਕ ਦਰਿ ਪਰਧਾਨੁ ਸੋ ਦਰਗਹਿ ਪੈਧਾ ਜਾਇ||੪||

Following Guru’s teaching, engaged in right pursuit, one realizes the Lord True. Such a one is neither born nor dies again and is rid of transmigration. Says Nanak, he is a distinguished one in Court Divine and receives Rob of Honour.4.

Sri Rag M.1

Gurfateh,
Sevadarni, Amritsarovar Blog Team