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SIKH VAISAKHI CELEBRATION |
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The Sikh Community of Southern California is busily preparing for the annual celebration of Vaisakhi Kirtan Darbar and Nagar Kirtan. Thousands of participants will gather at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, April 7, 2013 to mark the 314th Anniversary of the day in 1699 when the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, established the Khalsa - a family of spiritually disciplined souls committed to truthful living and champions of social equality and justice. More than 25 Gurdwaras (Sikh Centers of Worship) from Fresno to San Diego have come together each year since 1985 to honor the spirit and legacy of Guru Gobind Singh, with a day full of the singing of spiritual music concluded by a two mile parade throughout downtown Los Angeles. Vaisakhi is traditionally a celebration of the first spring harvest in northern India's Punjab state and it marks a time for expressing gratitude to God for all life's bounties and a renewal of human spirit. Vaisakhi for the Sikhs, practitioners of the fifth largest of the world's major religions, represents living a life with dignity, divinity and God's grace….and living in a spirit of expressing goodwill for all. The day's festivities begin early at one of the event organizer's host Gurdwaras, Guru Ram Das Ashram, in West Los Angeles, with an early morning meditation and Kirtan Program (spiritual music) beginning at 3:40 am and concluding at 6:30 am. A special motorcycle escort of Siri Guru Granth Sahib (the sacred embodiment of the Living Guru of the Sikhs) to the Los Angeles Convention Center begins at 6:45 am and arrives at the Convention Center by 7:30 am. After the opening Hukam ("order of the day") is listened to by the Sadh Sangat (congregation), the musical program begins with a spirited musical rendition of Jaap Sahib, the sacred ballad of ultimate meditation on God's actions, composed by Guru Gobind Singh. The morning Kirtan Program continues with musical presentations from children's groups, followed by special performances by many of the Ragi Jethas from regional Gurdwaras. Many local, state and national political dignitaries have been invited to attend the program to speak around 12:30 pm. The Kirtan Darbar (spiritual music gathering) will conclude with a collaborative performance by the Gurshabd Parchar Sabha of Los Angeles Ragi Jetha, including: Ustad Prof. Ranjit Singh (Bhai Mardana Institute), Bhai Raghbir Singh (Siri Guru Singh Sabha Walnut), Bhai Jaswant Singh (Sikh Center of Orange County), Bhai Varinder Singh (Khalsa Care Foundation) and Bhai Randhir Singh (Sikh Study Circle Vermont), between 1:40 and 2:30 pm. Throughout the day Guru's Langar (sacred community vegetarian meal) will be served to all who attend. The day concludes with the Nagar Kirtan, where the Sikhs will parade around a two mile area of downtown Los Angeles, carrying Siri Guru Granth Sahib on an exquisitely decorated float. The parade will include several floats representing themes of Sikh history and its legacy, as well as performances by California's most distinguished Gatka Performers (Art of Sacred Sword). Food, sweets and refreshments will be served in the assembly area of the parade at Gilbert Lindsey Plaza outside the Convention Center and along the parade route as well. Contact: Guru Ram Das Ashram - Watch the Celebration LIVE right HERE! |
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| BSKI 2012 - Children's Area | BSKI 2012 - Bibiji on a float at the Nagar Kirtan |
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| BSKI 2012 - Hukam at LACC Guru Jodha Singh and Siri Ved Kaur | BSKI 2012 - Congresswoman Judy Chu |
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| BSKI 2012 - Ladies Panj at LACC |
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| BSKI 2012 - Mens Panj at LACC before Nagar Kirtan |
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| BSKI 2012 - Prof Ranjit with jatha |
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| BSKI 2012 - Crowds outside at LACC |
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| BSKI 2012 - Bhai Kultar Singh Ji at GRDA - early morning darbar |