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SINGAPORE
SIKHS
CELEBRATE 300TH
GURGADDI DAY WITH A
TAKHAT
SACHKHAND SRI HAZUR SAHIB
FLOAT PARADE
Thousands of Sikhs gathered at the various Gurdwaras of
Singapore on the 18th and 19th of October
in commemoration of 300 years establishment of the holy
scripture and living Guru of the Sikhs, the Sri Guru Granth
Sahib Ji (SGGS). The 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Sri Guru
Gobind Singh Ji passed the Gurgaddi (guruship) to the
SGGS at the .location where today stands Takhat Sachkhand Sri
Hazur Sahib, a
Gurdwara on the banks of the Godavari in
Maharashtra.
A replica of the Gurdwara was created in the form of a float for
the occasion, which was celebrated majestically by the Sangat
(congregation) of Singapore.
“The
idea of creating a fully scaled float replica of Takhat
Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib was conceived in early March this
year; and real work stated in June. The design was done using
photographs and videos of the actual Gurdwara and took about 2
weeks to create and the actual construction of the float took
about 4 weeks to complete,”
said Gurdip Singh, Chairman of the Silat
Road
Sikh Temple
(a unit of the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board). The astounding
creation was done
Richard Tang, a Chinese float designer and constructor. The
float drew in crowds from all ages, ethnicities, and even
religions. “Handicapped
and other elderly believers all joined in the celebrations in
getting a glimpse of the holy site,”
said Singh.
Organized by the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board in conjunctions
with all Sikh Gurdwaras in Singapore, the float traveled on Oct
19 from the Silat Road Gurdwara to the all the seven Gurdwaras
of Singapore, namely, Gurdwara Sahib Yishun Sahib, Sri Guru
Singh Sabha, Khalsa Dharmak Sabha, Central Sikh Temple, Pardesi
Khalsa, Gurdwara Katong and finally making its way back to the
Silat Road Gurdwara.
The
magnitude of respect shown towards their living Guru by the
Sangat is immeasurable as they stood in long lines to enter
the float, bowing their heads in respect and love for the SGGS,
which was instated in the float. In anticipation of the float at
the Gurdwaras, sevadaars (volunteers participating in
selfless service) swept and washed the streets in preparation
for the arrival of their Living Guru.
The
Singapore Sikh Community also launched a book “Sikhi – A Way of
Life” in conjunction with this auspicious occasion. The Guest of
Honour at these celebrations was Prof S. Jayakumar, Deputy Prime
Minister of Singapore. |
