UK
Vaisakhi Festivities & 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak
Here in London, and across the World, there will be special services at Gurdwaras the Processions, known as “Nagar Kirtan,” to celebrate the Harvest Festival, and the Birth of the “Khalsa.” The Khalsa is the virtuous brand of Sikhism recognizable today.
With the Birth of the Khalsa, by the 10th Guru, Gobind Singh, in 1699, Sikhs
canonized rituals and traditions and introduced the widely recognizable Sikh Identity through the adornment of Turbans, unshorn Hair and a ceremonial sword called ‘Kirpan’.
The Importance of 2019 This year the Sikh nation marks the 550th anniversary of the birth of the founder of Sikh faith – Guru Nanak.
Guru Nanak Dev. Guru Nanak was born in Punjab in northern India in 1469. His core message was the universality of God – The first verses of Guru Nanak’s composition in Jap Ji Sahib, which is known as the ‘Mool Mantra’ (p.4), presents Guru Nanak’s perception of the Divine. Word Sikh means student, whilst Guru meaning Teacher. Guru Nanak travelled extensively during his lifetime, advocating equal rights for women, and condemning the caste system, the hypocrisy of false rituals and superstitions. He led by example and lived the life of a householder, a family man.
“We must not look away by renouncing the nature’s wonderful creations around us [family and children.] “We must live in the community and fully contribute to it through positive thoughts, positive actions to the purity of spirit.” For Sikhs, Guru Nanak was a delightful poet, a challenging philosopher, a
mystical saint and a polemic thinker. Guru Nanak encouraged a life of learning and self-improvement throughout one’s life. Guru Nanak lead that the path to enlightenment begins from within.
This tradition is carried forward by Sikhs today, who
actively discourage conversions. Venerated by Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike Guru Nanak’s principles of devotion and towards God, living truthful, honest work and equality of mankind,
regardless of gender, caste or creed remains as relevant as ever before.Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its ten Gurus enshrined in the Sikh holy book “Sri Guru Granth Sahib,” honoured as a living Guru. Compassion, charity, mercy, respect and tolerance are the core principals of Sikhism. Its teachings of one God belong to the entire mankind. (p.5) Central to Sikh philosophy is the recognition of humanity as one.“Manas ke jaat sabhae ek pehchanbo…”.
Guru Gobind Singh. Sikhs in Great Britain More than 83,005 turban-wearing Sikhs died and 109,045 were wounded
in World War 1 and 2 for the freedom of Britain. 22% and 34% Sikhs in Great Britain had a family member served in World War 1 and World War 2, respectively. “…British people are highly indebted and obliged to Sikhs for a long time. I know that within this century we needed their help and they did help us very well. As a result of their timely help, we are today able to live with honour, dignity and independence.
In the war, they fought and died for us, wearing the turbans.” Winston Churchill Prime Minister. Sikhs made up 22% of the British Army during the British Raj in India and whilst making up merely 2% of the population of India 26 million followers that make Sikhism the 5th largest in the world. The vast majority 69% Sikhs were born in the UK and 91% of 400,000 who live in the UK have British nationality. Sikhs as a group are least likely to be unemployed in Great Britain and 92% of them own their own home, which is the highest among any group. Sikhs donate 1.2 million pounds/day to charities, which is 6.5 times more than average donation per person.
The landmark grand procession (‘Nagar Kirtan’) marking the accentuated celebrations attracted 150k people to celebrate Vaisakhi and 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in London on 07/04/2019.
