Happy Gurpurab, the Auspicious birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. 🙏🏽⠀
“For this purpose was I born, let all virtuous people understand. I was born to advance righteousness, to emancipate the good, and to destroy all evil-doers root and branch.” ⠀⠀⠀
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~ Guru Gobind Singh Ji⠀
Credit – Instagram – @Sikhexpo
Wednesday marked the Great Jorh Mela of Muktsar Sahib known as ‘Maghi’ – The Sangrand of Maagh Month – this is traditionally one of the biggest events of the Sikh Calendar – with sangat gathering at Sri Muktsar Sahib in hundreds of thousands, this commemorates the victorious battle of the Khalsa in which the Mughal army suffered greatly and the tyrant General/Governor Wajeed Khan (who retreated at Chamkaur Sahib and ordered the younger Sahibzadas to be executed) lost both a grandchild and a nephew.
The history, as taught through thorough research within the Sampardai is that during the Siege of Sri Anandpur Sahib which lasted over 8 months some 200 Sikhs including the ‘Be-Amritheeya’ (non- amritdhari) Duni Chand (descendent of Bhai Shalo) showed weakness and fled home.
When they returned home they were taunted and reprimanded by their devoted and faithful wives – a decision was made collectively by the village councils of Maja/Lahore to meet Guru Sahib at Ramayana (14km from Muktsar) and offer to mediate a treaty with the Mughal Rulers. Guru Sahib questioned their integrity and asked where they were during the sacrifices of the 5th Guru, 9th Guru and the martyrdoms of all Four Sahibzadey – they asked whether they had come to learn from their Spiritual Master (Guru) or to teach him? Guru Sahib told them to write a resignation (bedaava) in which they were to declare that they were neither the disciples of Guru Sahib nor was Guru Sahib their Guru (Contrary to contemporary historians who say this bedava was written during the siege of Anandpur Sahib).
They were told to leave and embarrassed they returned home – on this return some forty Sikhs including Bhai Maha Singh and one great Bibi, Mata Bhaag Kaur (Mai Bhago) overwhelmed with guilt and repentance made the decision to sacrifice their lives at Muktsar Sahib – they attained the supreme blessing of Guru Sahb and redeemed the mistake of the ‘Majha’ Area: these are the 40 Immortals the Chalee Mukteh remembered in our Ardhaas every day.
Credit – Instagram – @SikhYouthUK
As of 10th January, a decision has been made to close the Gurdwara until further notice. Under the current lockdown Government guidelines, places of worship can remain open for individual prayer and whilst we have put measures in place to reduce the risk of transmission, we are seeing the infection numbers increasing within the Swindon area.
Currently the infection rate within Swindon is higher than the national average and the safety of the Sangat is being handled with the up most priority. We would like to re-open the Gurdwara as soon as possible however in order for this to happen we will continue to review the infection rate and follow local guidelines.
We would like to stress that this decision was not taken lightly and we appreciate the inconvenience this may cause but the health and safety of the Sangat is our main priority for this temporary closure. Further updates will follow as soon as new information is available. Thank you.
Due to current government guidelines and in line with the risk assesment conducted, supply continues to outweigh demand at present and will do for the foreseeable future. We would kindly request that no food donations for Langar are given to the Gurdwara at this time, this includes flour, rice and perishable food items such as Milk, Butter and Fruit in order to avoid anything going to waste.
Should the sangat wish to provide donations we would greatfully accept cleaning materials to maintain the cleaning standard for the safety of the Sangat while visiting. Items such as the below would be accepted –
Example of the items that would be required.