Guru Tegh Bahadur's martyrdom day observed

         New Delhi: The martyrdom day of the Sikhs' spiritual leader, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was observed on Friday by taking out processions. In the national Capital New Delhi, hundreds of Sikhs participated in a colourful procession that wound its way through the city's thoroughfares. The procession is customarily led by the "Panj Pyara". The devout also carried the holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, in a flower bedecked caravan. Hundreds of school children also took part in the procession, displaying their martial arts skills. Guru Tegh Bahadur was born in 1621 in the then Punjab region of the undivided Indian subcontinent. He later became the ninth Guru of Sikhism, which was founded by Guru Nanak. Troubled by the frequent conflicts between Hindu and Muslim communities, Guru Nanak tried to work out a synthesis of the two religions. His mission gained popularity among the masses and eventually evolved into the Sikh religion. After his death in 1539, he was succeeded by his disciples who became Gurus in their turns. The ninth Guru, Tegh Bahadur, sacrificed his life defending his faith against the powerful Mughal rulers. 17th century Mughal ruler Aurangzeb had executed Guru Tegh Bahadur for resisting conversion of Hindus to Islam.

        On the occasion of Guru Teg Bahadur's Martyrdom Day, Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said yesterday that this solemn occasion should remind all countrymen of the Guru's great teachings and his supreme sacrifice. Dr. Singh hoped that the day would inspire all to uphold the unity and integrity of the nation and live with each other in peace and harmony. "Let us take a pledge to work relentlessly to root out any divisive tendencies in our society and nation, "Dr. Singh said in a message. Guru Teg Bahadur (April 1, 1621 - November 11, 1675) was the ninth of the Ten Sikh Gurus. He became a Guru on March 20, 1665, following in the footsteps of his grand-nephew, Guru Har Krishan. He was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind Sahib. He adorned the Sacred Throne of Guru Nanak Sahib from 1665 to 1675. He was executed in Delhi for upholding the Sikh faith and pursuing the right of religious liberty.
Nov 24, 2006

Ramdev not allotted space in Ardh Kumbh Mela
by Virendra Pathak

         Allahabad: A controversy has erupted over the refusal by the Allahabad administration to allot space to Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev at the Ardkh Kumbh Mela. Ramdev's followers are disappointed over the way their request for allotting adequate space for holding a yoga camp at Prayag during the next year's Ardh Kumbh festival has been put aside by the administration. More than 1,500 religious organisations have been allotted space to organise their camps during the forthcoming festival when millions of devotees would congregate to take a holy dip in the River Ganges on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, one of the most auspicious days for Hindus. "They (administration officials) have allotted space to 1,500 organisations. But when approached for Baba Ramdev's organisation, we were told it couldn't be provided space, as it was a new organisation. This is injustice and we'll never tolerate it," said Satish Chandra, a Yoga teacher, Patanjali Yog Sansthan in Allahabad. However, the officials at Baba Ramdev's head office in Haridwar while talking over phone have said they have not given up on the issue. "It is not like we have been ruled out for all possibilities for space in the upcoming Ardh Kumbh Mela. The process is on and we have sent a request letter to the administration," said Bal Krishan, General Secretary. According the Ardh Kumbh Mela authorities, the entire space has already been booked by other organisations, camping here for many years. "As per the tradition, we provide space only to those organisation which have been participating from the past. Proposal has also come from Baba Ramdev's organisation but we cannot provide him any space," said Pragyan Ram Mishra, an office bearer of the Kumbh festival. Meanwhile, the local administration claimed that it has not left any stone unturned to ensure full security during the upcoming Mela. "Apart from making teams of commando units, we have installed various equipments like close circuit camera, anti-sabotage equipment and other measures. We have made special arrangement to ensure full security for the devotees during the holy dip," said Rajiv Sabarwal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Allahabad.

         Millions of Hindu devotees gather to take holy dip in the river Ganges during Makar Sankranti. The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated a budget of Rs. 170 crores for the `Ardh Kumbh Mela', slated to start here from January in 2007. During Ardh Kumbh, millions of people from across the country and abroad would congregate in Allahabad and stay for over a month to take a dip in river Ganga, besides performing other rituals. The entire Mela area would be divided in 11 sectors and the Sangam area would be left free to accommodate a large crowd on bathing days. The important bathing days are Paush Poornima (Jan 3), Makar Sankranti (Jan 14/15), Mauni Amavasya (Jan. 19), Basant Panchami (Jan. 23), Maghi Poornima (Feb. 2) and last Maha Shivratri (Feb. 16). The `Shahi Snans' will take place on January 15, 19 and 23, 2007. One of the biggest attractions is Sangam at Prayag, in Allahabad. It is believed by taking a dip in this water can wash off one's all sins. It is at the confluence of the River Ganga the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati, which is believed to be a subterranean stream at Prayag. This confluence is the venue for the grand bathing festival, which is organised during the month of Magh (Jan-Feb.) known as Magh Mela. It starts on a full moon day and lasts for 15 days to a month. Every twelfth year, it is organised as Kumbh Mela and when organised after six years, it is termed as Ardh Kumbh Mela (the mid of Kumbh Mela).
Nov 7, 2006

Guru Nanak's birthday, Kartik Purnima

          Amritsar/Varanasi/Bhubaneswar: The birth anniversary of the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak Dev, was celebrated across the country, and the Hindu devotees bathed in the holy Ganga river on the occasion of Kartik Purnima (full moon), on Sunday. In Amritsar, hundreds of devotees paid obeisance at the Golden Temple, the Sikh holiest shrine, on the guru's 537th birthday. "If we follow the principles laid down by the Guru, there won't be any sorrows in the world," said Gyani Khanak Singh, a devotee. Gurmukh Singh, another devotee, said: "It's very soothing and nice to know that devotees have come here to pay obeisance in hundreds and thousands. We are feeling as if the God has ended all our sorrows." Yesterday, thousands of Sikhs from different parts of the world visited the city to witness a procession taken out every year to mark the occasion. "A procession is taken out where people in large numbers participate in the procession. Not only Sikhs but people from all religions join the celebrations. In the procession, children show there talents and other things which they have prepared," said Sukhbir Kaur Mahal, a devotee. Hundreds of foreign tourists have also arrived to see the procession. "I don't know for what, was the holiday. I came yesterday only and was sleeping in my room when I heard noise, I peeped out and saw so many people with smiles on their face," said Alja, a foreign tourist. The celebrations usually last for three days. Usually, before the date, Akhand Path (continuous rendering of the Holy Scriptures) is held in the Gurdwara. A large procession is organised a day before the birthday, led by the Panj Piyaras (five beloved ones) and the palanquin of Guru Granth Sahib, followed by groups of devotees chanting hymns. The entire route where the procession takes is decorated with flags, flowers, religious posters, decorated gates and banners depicting various aspects of Sikhism. After Ardas and distribution of Karah Parshad (sweet pudding), Langar (meal) is served. Prayers and celebration continue till late in the night. The distribution of food continues throughout the celebrations days. Guru Nanak (1489-1536) was born in a Hindu family but his religious ideas draw on both Hindu and Islamic thought, which is considered far more than just a synthesis. Considered as an original spiritual thinker, Guru Nanak expressed his thoughts in extraordinary poetry that forms the basis of Sikh scripture. Meanwhile, thousands of Hindus converged in Varanasi to take a dip in the holy Ganges on the occasion of "Kartik Purnima," the full moon day in the Hindu month of Kartik. On this day, women keep fast and pray to Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction. They believe a fast on this auspicious day will give a long-life to their husbands and protect the family from evil. Devotees also believe that their sins are washed away if they bathe in the river on this auspicious day. "Today's bath has special significance. Those who bathe today are blessed by the Almighty and attain salvation," said Raj Mani Pandey, a priest. In Orissa, a colourful boat festival was also held to mark the day. Hundreds of devotees converged at holy Bindusagar pond in capital Bhubaneshwar to celebrate the "Boita Bandana ceremony" (boat worshipping ceremony), celebrated on the occasion of Kartik Purnima. People float miniature boats with lamps burning inside them during the ceremony. "Legends say that whenever people from this state went for business trips in ships, they were given a send off by lighting boats. Though people no more go for trading in ships but the tradition is maintained and people light boats," said Krishna Aggarwal, a businessman. The Full Moon Day was the day when the ancient traders used to embark on sea voyages to the countries like Bali, Java and Sumatra Island. The sea traders of Orissa had established colonies in these islands for business and commercial purpose.

         Amritsar: The celebration of the birth anniversary commenced with overwhelming enthusiasm here yesterday evening. To herald this auspicious occasion, thousands of Sikhs from all over the world have gathered at the Harmandir Sahib, better known as Golden Temple in. The celebration of Guru Nanak Sahib starts one week before and it reaches its zenith on eve. "A procession is taken out where people in large numbers participate. Not only Sikhs and people from all religions join. In the procession children show there talents and other things which they have prepared," said Sukhbir Kaur Mahal, a devotee. Foreign tourists have also arrived in Amritsar to see the procession. They are thrilled at the colourful celebrations. "I don't know for what, was the holiday. I came yesterday only and was sleeping in my room when I heard noise, I peeped out and saw so many people with smiles on their face," said Alja, a foreign tourist. The celebrations usually last for three days. Usually, before the date, Akhand Path (continuous rendering of the Holy Scriptures) is held in the Gurdwara. A large procession is organised one day before the birthday, led by the Panj Piyaras (five beloved ones) and the palanquin of Guru Granth Sahib, followed by groups of devotees singing hymns. The entire route that the procession takes is decorated with flags, flowers, religious posters, decorated gates and banners depicting various aspects of Sikhism. After Ardas and distribution of Karah Parshad (sweet pudding), Langar (meal) is served. Prayers and celebration continue till late in the night. The distribution of food continues throughout. Guru Nanak (1489-1536) was born in a Hindu family but his religious ideas draw on both The Hindu and Islamic thought and are far more than just a synthesis. He was an original spiritual thinker and expressed his thoughts in extraordinary poetry that forms the basis of Sikh scripture.
Nov 5, 2006

Previous File