Vaisakhi Day at the Sikh Gurdwara in Middleton
Dr. Gurwattan Singh Miranpuri, president of the Sikh Society of Wisconsin,
welcomed everyone and spoke about the celebration.
Guests, including Middleton Mayor Kurt Sonnentag and newly elected Middleton
Councilman Gurdip Brar, expressed their congratulations to the people who
worked hard and helped make the construction of the Gurdawara a reality.
After the religious celebration, attendees gathered at the "kitchen hall"
downstairs, sat down in line with a plate in front of each of them, and were served
by men with traditional Indian dishes.
It was truly an educational experience for me and it gave me a sense of
connectedness to a community that I hardly know. I will surely come back to know
more about this wonderful community of equals.
welcomed everyone and spoke about the celebration.
Guests, including Middleton Mayor Kurt Sonnentag and newly elected Middleton
Councilman Gurdip Brar, expressed their congratulations to the people who
worked hard and helped make the construction of the Gurdawara a reality.
After the religious celebration, attendees gathered at the "kitchen hall"
downstairs, sat down in line with a plate in front of each of them, and were served
by men with traditional Indian dishes.
It was truly an educational experience for me and it gave me a sense of
connectedness to a community that I hardly know. I will surely come back to know
more about this wonderful community of equals.
by Heidi M. Pascual
Vaisakhi Day (or Baisakhi Day) is very important for
Sikhs all over the world. It was the day Guru Gobind
Singh, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, founded the Akal
Khalsa (Community of the Pure). According to Sikh
history, Guru Gobind instilled courage among
thousands of Sikhs on March 30, 1699 at Anandpur
Sahib, the famous Golden Temple of Amritsar, India,
by challenging five men to sacrifice their lives. After
each one went into the tent, the Guru came out with his
Vaisakhi Day (or Baisakhi Day) is very important for
Sikhs all over the world. It was the day Guru Gobind
Singh, the 10th Guru of the Sikhs, founded the Akal
Khalsa (Community of the Pure). According to Sikh
history, Guru Gobind instilled courage among
thousands of Sikhs on March 30, 1699 at Anandpur
Sahib, the famous Golden Temple of Amritsar, India,
by challenging five men to sacrifice their lives. After
each one went into the tent, the Guru came out with his
bloodied sword. The crowd dispersed, thinking that the
Guru was out of his mind. But the five men emerged
from the tent soon after, dressed in white. The Guru
baptized the five in a ceremony called Amrit. They were
the first members of the community of equals, the
Khalsa, who were dedicated to serve others and pursue
justice for all.
Locally, in Wisconsin, Sikhs celebrated this event on
April 27 to coincide with the grand opening of their
temple, the Gurdwara, in Middleton. Hundreds of Sikhs
came not only to share the Sikh community's happiness
for having a temple of their own in this part of the state,
but also to remember how Vaisakhi Day came about
and pay respect to the Guru Granth Sahib, or the Sikh’s
Holy Book.
Guru was out of his mind. But the five men emerged
from the tent soon after, dressed in white. The Guru
baptized the five in a ceremony called Amrit. They were
the first members of the community of equals, the
Khalsa, who were dedicated to serve others and pursue
justice for all.
Locally, in Wisconsin, Sikhs celebrated this event on
April 27 to coincide with the grand opening of their
temple, the Gurdwara, in Middleton. Hundreds of Sikhs
came not only to share the Sikh community's happiness
for having a temple of their own in this part of the state,
but also to remember how Vaisakhi Day came about
and pay respect to the Guru Granth Sahib, or the Sikh’s
Holy Book.
Attendees, wearing traditional Sikh Indian clothing
and head covering, entered the temple and removed
their shoes as they stepped inside the sacred hall.
They bowed down before the Guru Granth, which was
constantly fanned. The men and the women sat
separately, while children, regardless of gender,
stayed either with their dads or moms. There was a lot
of music and singing of gurbani or holy songs,
accompanied by ethnic Indian musical instruments.
and head covering, entered the temple and removed
their shoes as they stepped inside the sacred hall.
They bowed down before the Guru Granth, which was
constantly fanned. The men and the women sat
separately, while children, regardless of gender,
stayed either with their dads or moms. There was a lot
of music and singing of gurbani or holy songs,
accompanied by ethnic Indian musical instruments.
(Above) The Guru Granth Sahib, the
Sikh Holy Scriptures, is considered the
eternal guru. Covered with a richly
embroidered cloth called Ramalaas, the
Guru Granth Sahib is placed under a
canopy called Chandni, and fanned
with a Chaur.
Sikh Holy Scriptures, is considered the
eternal guru. Covered with a richly
embroidered cloth called Ramalaas, the
Guru Granth Sahib is placed under a
canopy called Chandni, and fanned
with a Chaur.
(Counterclockwise from above) Gurbani or
holy songs with Indian musical instruments;
young women enjoy community; (l-r) Dorothy
and Gurdip Brar, Heidi Pascual; community
lunch, Dr. Gurwattan Singh Miranpuri
presents Middleton the Mayor; Sikhs in
prayer
holy songs with Indian musical instruments;
young women enjoy community; (l-r) Dorothy
and Gurdip Brar, Heidi Pascual; community
lunch, Dr. Gurwattan Singh Miranpuri
presents Middleton the Mayor; Sikhs in
prayer