Vaisakhi Smagam And Amrit Sanchar In Spain

[Simran9]

Vaisakhi Samagam in Barcelona, Spain

Sunday 7th of May 2006

Bhai Jagjit Singh Ji, UK

Amrit Sanchar concludes at the Barcelona Smagam, Spain

Barcelona, Spain (KP)- With Waheguru`s Grace, a Vaisakhi Samagam was held in Barcelona, Spain by Akhand Kirtani Jatha UK. Sadh Sangat from near and far congregated at Gurdwara Guru Sangat Sahib with great pyar and sharda to do seva and enjoy Guru ki Bani.

View Barcelona Samagam Image Gallery

Gursikh Singhs and Singhnias from Akhand Kirtani Jatha UK, with Jathedar Bhai Jarnail Singh ji, left from Heathrow Airport on 14th April. The jatha did the seva of taking a saroop of Sahib Siri Guru Granth Sahib. It was taken placed on their heads and with Chaur Sahib de Seva done, with Satnam Waheguru di Jaap done by the jatha.

When the Gursikhs entered the Customs Hall at Spanish Airport, all the workers stopped working and watched the vision of the numerous Gursikhs in Bana, with Guru Maharaj placed on their heads, with Chaur sahib seva being done and the Satnam Waheguru Jaap resounded all around.

Outside the Customs Hall, the Mukh-sevadar of the Gurdwara Bhai Dharampal Singh and many other sangatan, stood with hands clasped, and barefoot awaiting the Darshan of Guru Maharaj. As the Jatha walked out of the Airport with Guru Maharaj, jaikaraas of “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akaal!” erupted. The sangat gained blessing by bowing before Guru Maharaj, and some adorned Guru Ji with a garland of flowers.

The Granthi Singh of the Gurdwara did Ardas thanking Guru Maharaj. The whole sangat stood silently in Ardas. Many Spanish locals also realising something special was happening stood silently and observed the Ardas. The peaceful atmosphere descended on the busy Airport lounge as Ardas was performed. After Ardas , Guru Maharaj, the sangat, and the jatha left for the Gurdwara sahib in a mass convoy of cars.

That evening between 6pm to 9pm, sangat attended to the Gurdwara sahib to listen to ambrosial Gurbani. First the local kids were given keertan time, then sevadars from Akhand kirtani jatha UK did Keertan seva.

After the evening divan, Guru ka Langar was distributed to the sangat. It was noted by the jatha that a tradition which has long been lost in UK, is still being kept by the Barcelona sangat. This was that the whole of the committee was also doing seva in the langar with the sangat, either distributing it, or cleaning dishes. The Pardan could be seen doing seva of washing the dishes. This is the kind of Seva mentality which needs to be encouraged again in UK, where the community and Gurdwara leaders are themselves active sevadars with humilty in the hearts.

The next day began with Amritvela, Nitnem and then Asa Di // keertan was done till 11am. In the evening a keertan darbar was held from 6pm to 10pm. In this divan, Bhai Prithipal Singh ji did a lecture about the “Importance of taking Amrit, and what its value is?” This veechar had a very beneficial impact on the sangat, from which many more gave their names for the Amrit sanchar. The sangat remained seated throughout the Keertan Divan, despite the heat of the Spanish weather, the fact the Gurdwara was completely full, and the sangat was tightly packed within the hall and outside. Despite this, the atmosphere was very special as the whole sangat sang loudly with the Keertan.

Realising the large amount of Sangat that were attending the evening divans, the Gurdwara Parbandaks arranged for the Sunday programme to be held 5 miles away in much larger facilty. The local sevadars had preplanned and spent a few days cleaning, preparing and decorating the hall especially for the programme.

The Sunday Divan was blessed by Guru Maharaj, with keertan in so much “Rang” that the divan continued to 4pm. Sangat had arrived from every corner of Spain to attend the divan. The local sevadars had also invited local Spanish Councillors and VIPs, who also sat amongst the sangat and enjoyed the keertan.

When the Panj Pyares entered the divan in their kesri banas, the keertan atmosphere became even more inspirational. Bhai Prithipal Singh ji sang the shabad, “Amrit Peevoh Sada chir jeevo”, and whole Sangat joined in the Panj Pyares entered the divan.

At the end of the divan, the local Mukh-sevadar presented Jathedar Bhai Jarnail Singh with a siropa. Bhai Jarnail Singh ji spoke to thank the sangat, and then asked all the youth who live in Spain to keep away from alcohol and drugs, maintain their Sikhi saroop and be proud Guru ke Sikhs. He specifically mentioned how Siri Guru Gobind Singh ji sacrificed his whole family for Sikhi. On that same land of Anandpur Sahib, 40 Singhs gave him a “bedava” and left Guru Ji. "Today" he said, "Hundreds of thousands of Sikhs have given a “bedava” and left their Guru." He asked them to reconsider that decision and recognise their Guru. All the “keertan beta” (money) from the samagam was given back to Golak of the Gurdwara so that it can improve its facilities for the sangat and arrange Gurmat education in the gurdwara. He said, the only thing the jatha asks for is the Ardas of the Sangat, that this jatha will continue to spread the message of Sahib Siri Guru Nanak Dev Ji throughout the world.

The local Spanish VIP and Councillors also addressed the Sangat in Spanish. The local main VIP Maria Carla, spoke of how she was very impressed by the samagam and the guests from UK. She told the sangat that she will always speak up for the Sikhs to ensure they face no problems as the settle into the local community.

The Mukh-sevadar Bhai Dharampal Singh spoke in Punjabi and Spanish to thank all who attended the samagam, and did a benti to Akhand Kirtani Jatha UK to continue inspring sangat in Barcelona and Badalona areas with frequent visits, as they do throughout the rest of Europe. He also spoke of how AKJ do Niskam seva.

In the evening, as the Gursikhs left to return to UK, many sangat thanked them and escorted them to the Airport with a lot of pyar, so much so, that the Gursikhs almost missed their flight.

The sevadars of AKJ UK thanked the sangat of Barcelona, for allowing them to share Guru ke Bani with them in such a blissful few days.

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http://www.panthic.org/news/124/ARTICLE/2443/2006-05-07.html