On 16th March 2009 Bow Gurdwara Sahib was raised to the ground by fire. The fire prevented the Sangat from reaching Sachkand on the first floor to perform the seva of retrieving 8 Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
The following day police allowed Gurdwara sewadars to enter the damaged building for 10 minutes in order to retrieve the 8 Saroops of Guru Ji.
The 8 Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji were brought to Mata Sahib Kaur Sikh Academy. The reason for this is that the Academy has a large enough Sachkand to accommodate 8 Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
As news spread in London, Sewadars from all Sikh sampardamas and Jathebandia arrived to collectively perform the Sewa of changing the burnt Ramala Sahibs and arranging for the comfortable resting of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. For all Sangat present, doing the Sewa of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s burnt angs was highly emotional.
At this point it is important to say such beadbi of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji cannot happen without the Hukam (command) of Guru Sahib themselves. Guru Teg Bahadur Ji chose to sacrifice their pavitar Saroop for the sake of Dharam. Guru Teg Bahadur Ji gave their shaheedi to awaken the spirit of truth and righteousness within the people. The masses prior to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s sacrifice were totally downtrodden and deflated by the oppressive rulers. Today Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have given shaheedi of 8 pavitar Saroops.
It is important that we all look within our hearts and reflect: Are our daily actions and thoughts worthy of being called those of a Sikh?
We have recently celebrated 300 years of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Gur Gadi: have we as a kaum (community) moved forwards or backwards?
Do we even practice the basic teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji by doing Sewa (selfless service) and Simran (daily prayer)?
Upon instruction from Akal Thakt Jathedar, Giani Gurbachan Singh, the saskar of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s Saroops will take place at Khalsa College Chigwell on Sunday 22nd March.
The programme details are as follows:
Friday 20th March 10.00am - Mata Sahib Kaur Sikh Academy - Aramb Sri Akhand path Sahib
Sunday 22nd March 10.30am - Mata sahib Kaur Sikh Academy - Bhog Sri Akhand path Sahib
Sunday 22nd March 12.00pm - Saskar Sri Guru Granth Sahib JI - Khalsa college, Chigwell
There has been an overwhelming amount of concern from Sangat nationally and internationally. Coaches are being arranged from around the country to allow Sangat to attend the programme. If one of our family members leaves this physical world we all make time to pay our respects. Our living Guru has given shaheedi of 8 pavitar Saroops. It is wholly appropriate that all of the Sangat attends.
We expect Sangat to attend in unprecedented numbers. This programme can only happen with the blessings and support of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and Guru Roop Sat Sangat. If you can help with sewa over the weekend please come to the Academy or phone 07951431053, 07809650776 or 07958581555 . Sewadars are needed for a whole range of tasks including helping with langar, pathis and stewards.
Please spread the message to all of our brothers and sisters of the events as outlined above so that they can attend and pay their respects to our true Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Kee Fatheh.
For Travel Arrangements contact:
Wolverhampton 07946600882
Leicester 07921689909
Southall 07958644655
Leeds 07812740825
Smethwick 07985246484
Woolwich/Gravesend 07973143380
Coventry 07877888874
http://www.sikhacademy.co.uk/