Sikhs usher in Vaisakhi
THE STAR
SOME 15,000 devotees visited the Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya this year in conjunction with the Vaisakhi celebration.
The gurdwara president Gordip Singh, 76, said the celebration started on April 4 with numerous religious activities for adults and children.
Among the highlights was the continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, which is the Sikh scriptures.
The continuous reading started on April 12 at 8am and completed yesterday at about 8.30am.
The raising-of-the-flag ceremony – Nishan Sahib Selami – took place at thegurdwara compound shortly after.
There was also a continuous recital of hymns until 2pm.
Devotees receiving the Karah Prashad which is the sacred pudding at the Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya during the celebration. —SAM THAM/The Star
“Vaisakhi is the first day of the Punjabi calendar. It is also the name of the month,” said Gordip Singh.
He said there was free offering of meals for gurdwara visitors for the past three days from April 12.
“Guru Kalanggar, which means the Guru’s kitchen, was open to the public.
“During this period we have volunteers to cook, serve, clear the table and wash the dishes. It is called sewa which means voluntary practice,” he said.
In conjunction with the Vaisakhi celebration, some 300 children above the age of five participated in numerous classroom activities at the gurdwara.
Volunteers help in the Guru’s kitchen which offers visitors and devotees free meals in conjunction with the Vaisakhi at the Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya.
“While parents came here to pray, the children enjoyed a tea party and participated in activities organised specially for them,” he added.
Gordip Singh said the Punjabi community in Malaysia was estimated to be 100,000-strong.
