Dear Satsangat,
Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh.
A list of programmes for the months of January and February 2011 are attached for your reference.
Please accept our sincere apologies for the delay in preparing and sending out the programmes.
As you might be aware, Sikhs all over the world has been observing the various Gurpurabs and Panth-related events based on the Nanakshahi Calendar for the past 10-odd years. The Nanakshahi calendar was the result of a 20-year research and effort by a Gursikh named Pal Singh Purewal who stays in Canada.
The calendar was presented to the SGPC in early 1999. After initial rejection, it received great praise from the SGPC which resulted in its implementation in December 1999. But it took Akaal Takhat more than three years to come to terms with the calendar. So, in March 2003 it was accepted by Akaal Takhat and the other opposing organizations, with the condition that Guru Nanak's birthday be celebrated on a full-moon day in the month of November, and Divali be celebrated on a new-moon day which falls at the end of October or beginning of November. As ridiculous as it seemed, it was accepted by most of the Sikhs around the world, but some Gurdwaras, especially those in the western hemisphere decided to continue to celebrate both Vaisakhi and Guru Nanak's birthday on 14th April.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/community-out-reach/34031-gurdwara-sahib-titiwangsa-sets-programmes-calendar.html
Sadly this new-found unity in the Panth by way of the Nanakshahi calendar is under attack from the forces who are continuously scheming to break the Panth's unity by infusing into it Brahmanical practices and Hindutva.
Ever-since the Sikh Calendar was implemented, the SGPC has been buckling under the pressure of those opposing it, to revert to the Hindu lunar calendar. These opposing groups have, in their hands, the tremendous power of votes, which can make or break the leadership of SGPC!
It is no wonder then, that the SGPC has now issued a revised Nanakshahi 'calendar' of their own, in which many of the dates have been changed to the Hindu calendar (as were before introduction of the original Nanakshahi calendar). The revised 'calendar' is actually a "rojak" of event dates.
Our local Malaysian Gurdwaras Council is of the opinion that since the directive is from SGPC, all Gurdwaras in Malaysia should follow it "faithfully". "Blindly" should have been the more appropriate expression!
One cannot help, but be reminded of the time when the Akaal Takhat issued a directive to the Sikh world, banning the use of tables and benches for the partaking of langgar. One wonders what the wisdom of doing so was.
It is strongly suggested that all Satsanggis check out the facts for themselves. The internet is an excellent source for more detailed information on this controversy. The following sites may be a starting point:
http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-s...-calender.html http://dalkhalsa.blogspot.com/2010/0...anakshahi.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/ http://www.allaboutsikhs.com/sikh-ca...-calendar.html http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Nanakshahi
As far as Gurdwara Sahib Titiwangsa is concerned, the original Nanakshahi calendar (fixed dates) will be followed for observing ALL events , with the exception of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birthday, which will be celebrated in the form of an Akhand Paath and Kirtan Darbar to be held from 11th to 13th of November 2011. (please refer to the attached document)
There are two reasons for doing this;
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1. All programme bookings received for this year took into consideration the original Nanakshahi calendar dates, which had already been blocked-off earlier. Some of these bookings happen to be on the "revised" dates and it would not be fair to now expect the Satsanggis to change their booking dates.
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2. Given all the facts related to the original Nanakshahi calendar, It makes a great deal of sense to stick to it.
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Yes, one more thing: It doesn't make sense to declare Guru Gobind Singh Ji's birthday TWICE in this year.
Given all the fuss on the dates and calendars, we should ask ourselves if we are doing it right. Does the Guru approve of all this? How should we celebrate Gurpurabs?
This is what Bhai Gurdas Ji says on celebrating Gurpurabs...
ਚਰਨ ਗਹੇ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਦੇ ਸਤਿ ਸਬਦ ਦੇ ਮੁਕਤ ਕਰਾਇਆ। ਭਾਉ ਭਗਤਿ ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ ਕਰਿ ਨਾਮ ਦਾਨ ਇਸਨਾਨ ਦ੍ਰਿੜ੍ਹ੍ਹਾਇਆ।
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=34031
Those who have held tight to the Shabad of the Guru have been liberated by 'bathing' in the True Word.
In full of loving devotion they celebrate Gurprubs (anniversaries of the Gurus) and their acts of remembrance of God, charity and holy ablutions, instill inspiration in others to follow.
ਕੁਰਬਾਣੀ ਤਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਗੁਰਸਿਖਾਂ ਭਾਇ ਭਗਤਿ ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ ਕਰੰਦੇ। ਗੁਰ ਸੇਵਾ ਫਲੁ ਸੁਫਲੁ ਫਲੰਦੇ ॥੨॥
I am sacrifice unto those Gursikhs who celebrate Guru’s anniversaries with full devotion.
Such Sikhs become blessed by the service of the Guru and obtain the fruits of their devotion.
ਗੁਰਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਗੁਰਸਿਖ ਮੇਲਿ ਮਿਲਾਇਆ। ਭਾਇ ਭਗਤਿ ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ ਕਰੈ ਕਰਾਇਆ।
The Sikhs of Guru gather in the love of the Guru.
Bound by loving devotion, they celebrate the anniversaries of the Guru.
May The Guru bless us all with Naam and enjoin us in His Service with love and devotion, and make us fit to celebrate Gurpurabs in his name.
Happy New Year.
Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh.
On behalf of the Management,
Kartar Singh
Secretary,
Gurdwara Sahib Titiwangsa
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