Sikhs in Wisconsin celebrate Baisakhi Day and grand
opening of the Gurdwara in Middleton
A video report by Heidi M. Pascual
opening of the Gurdwara in Middleton
A video report by Heidi M. Pascual
Baisakhi Day is very important for the 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). Locally, in Wisconsin, Sikhs
celebrated this event on April 27 to coincide with the grand opening of their temple, Gurdwara, in Middleton.
Hundreds of Sikhs came not only to share the community's happiness for having a temple of their own on
this part of the state, but also to remember how Baisakhi came about and pay respect to the Guru Granth, or
the book of the guru.
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. There was a lot of music and singing of gurbani or holy songs, accompanied by ethnic
Indian musical instruments. Dr. Gurwattan Miranpuri welcomed everyone and spoke about the celebration.
Guests, including Middleton Mayor Kurt Sonnentag and newly elected Middleton Councilman Gurdip Brar,
expressed their congratulations. 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 with traditional Indian
dishes.
Guru of the Sikhs, founded the Akal Khalsa (Community of the Pure). Locally, in Wisconsin, Sikhs
celebrated this event on April 27 to coincide with the grand opening of their temple, Gurdwara, in Middleton.
Hundreds of Sikhs came not only to share the community's happiness for having a temple of their own on
this part of the state, but also to remember how Baisakhi came about and pay respect to the Guru Granth, or
the book of the guru.
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. There was a lot of music and singing of gurbani or holy songs, accompanied by ethnic
Indian musical instruments. Dr. Gurwattan Miranpuri welcomed everyone and spoke about the celebration.
Guests, including Middleton Mayor Kurt Sonnentag and newly elected Middleton Councilman Gurdip Brar,
expressed their congratulations. 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 with traditional Indian
dishes.