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Next Saadh Sangat Samagam @ Detroit, Michigan May 23-26,2008. Please Click on the Samagam links for more info.

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Monday, April 30, 2007

Vasahki Celebration photos......

Please click on the pictures to view in full size....



Vada Tera Darbar......














These pictures have been taken from one of the Sangat members's flickr account. I did not ask if I could put a link here to their account. If permitted, I will and you can view a lot more pictures of the day.

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Saturday, April 28, 2007

Above the Law.....


A Delhi Traffic Police Tow Truck making an illegal right turn right where the warning on the board prohibits it. The Warning which is written in "Hindi" says, "Drivers Beware. No Right Turn Allowed."

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Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Some funny/strange matter found on the Internet...




Shalok Bhagat Kabeer jee Kay.....






Please click on the images to read clearly in full screen.

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Monday, April 23, 2007

Gurdwara Sees Ganj.....




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Friday, April 20, 2007

Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tila.....

This Gurdwara is also dedicated to Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev jee Maharaaj who hallowed this place during his visit to Delhi in the 15th century. The small structure was expanded in the 1980s to a larger white marble structure with a cusped dome, which is planned to be covered with gold leaf work later. The interesting story of this Gurdwara talks about a Muslim hermit, who lived on this hillock during the reign of Sikander Lodhi and used to ferry people across River Yamuna free of charge. He so yearned for the glimpse of God that the local people called him 'Majnu'. It is said that he finally attained enlightenment by the blessings of Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib jee and became Guru Sahib's devout disciple. Since then, his hermitage came to be known as Majnu ka Tila. The devout love of Majnu towards God and his radiant spirit attracted people, who built this shrine to commemorate him and Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib jee. There is also a well in the gurudwara compound.

When Guru Har Gobind, the Sixth Guru, was invited by Emperor Jahangir he stayed at Majnu-Ka-Tila. Guru Har Gobind started preaching here and many people thronged to him to listen to his spiritual discourses. The Emperor became suspicious and imprisoned Gur Sahib in the Fort of Gwalior. After his release from the prison, Guru Har Gobind again stayed at Majnu-Ka-Tila on his way back to Punjab.



Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj's darshan.



Darshan of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj from another angle.



The well located outside the Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tila.



Close up view of the well. At times the picture of this well makes you confuse it with the Gurdwara Nanak Piao's well.

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Thursday, April 19, 2007

Gurdwara Nanak Piao, Delhi, India......

Dedicated to the first Sikh Guru, Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib jee Maharaaj, Gurdwara Nanak Piao was built at the site, in the garden where Dhan Guru Nanak Dev jee camped when he visited Delhi in 1505 during the reign of Sultan Sikander Shah Lodhi. It is situated on Rana Pratap Road (also known as Grand Trunk Road). It is said that people flocked to the revered prophet and offered him and Bhai Mardana with precious gifts and offerings. Guru Nanak used to distribute all these offerings to the poor and needy. Besides these, he used to offer food and water to the hungry and thirsty, hence the name of the shrine. One can still see the well from which Guru Nanak served water in the shrine.



As any other Gurdwara, Gurdwara Nanak Piao has grown exponentially. It is not the same what it was 10 yrs ago. Side View (from North East Side).



Frontal view (from South)



Main Darbar Hall. Not as many people in the afternoon, but go there in morning and evening you find a lot of Sangat there.



Darshan of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj.



Front close up view of Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee Maharaaj.



This is the well where Dhan Dhan Sri guru Nanak Dev Sahib jee Maharaaj served the travellers/passing people by providing them water to quench their thirst. Lucky were those souls who drank water from Maharaaj's hands.



Another view of the well fully enclosed and covered with marble structure. In the days when Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sahib jee Maharaaj stayed at this place, it was just like any other ordinary well.

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Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Bhai Jodhram jee cures his Mentality.....

Once there lived a man by the name of Jodhram in the village Basarke. He was a high caste Brahmin and he was too much into caste system as was prevalent in those times. He was also very proud to be a high caste Brahmin and would look down on people of lower caste. At some point in his life he realized that he was mentally ill with the problem of discrimination and that of the pride of being a high class Brahmin. He would discuss it with his friends and family and someone told him that cure for his mental block was available in Khador Sahib with Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Angad Dev Sahib jee Maharaaj.
He decided to give the responsibility of the household to his sons and he decided to leave for Khador Sahib. After reaching Khador Sahib, he freshened up and went to see Guru Angad Dev jee. He told the Guru that he want to be here and be in the service of the Guru. Guru Angad Dev jee gave him the charge of the Langar and also told him to take care of the arrangement of boarding and lodging of the sangat who came from far and near. Jodhram got busy performing his duties and also learned a lot about Gurmat. He saw that after langar there were a lots of plates (in those days plates were made out of leaves) strewn around and it took a lot to clean up so he decided to make a high platform and requested the sangat to bring all their plates and leave it on that platform from where the garbage collector would come and pick up the waste. It worked and there was a lot less to clean and the same energy was directed to do better sewa of Sangat in other ways.
One day some Sikhs went to Guru Angad Dev jee and complained about Bhai Jodhram. They told Guru jee that they have been watching Jodhram for almost 2 & ½ years and never saw him eat Guru Ka Langar which is anti Gurmat. Guru jee called for Bhai Jodhram and asked him about the same. With his hands folded Bhai Jodhram replied that he has been eating langar everyday. Upon hearing this the Sikhs who complained to the Guru got furious and told the Guru that Bhai Jodhram was not only being disrespectful to the Gurmat by not eating langar, but he is now lying too. Guru jee told Bhai Jodhram that now he has two charges on him, one being anti Gurmat and other of having lied.
Bhai Jodhram again with folded hands replied to Guru jee. He said that when the diwan ends by 9 p.m. he goes around the Gurdwara cleaning and getting the Gurdwara ready for the next day. Then he goes out and checks on all the travelers who have come from far off to see the Guru and arranges for their stay. By the time he is done with all the activities it is around mid night. So he goes to the platform where people would leave their plates and would find that some Guru Ka Sikh had left some Dal in his plate, some Sikh left some Roti in his plate and he would gather the quantity he needed in a clean plate and then do ardaas to Dhan Dhan Guru Nanaks Jyot in Guru Angad Dev jee Maharaaj and eat the Langar. Upon hearing this Dhan Dhan Sri Guru Angad Dev jee Maharaaj got up from his seat and hugged Bhai Jodhram and told him that from today he should eat with the Sangat in the Langar hall as he is now cured from his mental illness of discrimination and being a high caste.
(This was a Sakhi Narrated in yesterday's evening diwan at the local gurdwara I go to.)

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Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Bhai Lahina Was Guru Nanak's Friend

A Yogi went to visit Guru Nanak to congratulate him on the large number of followers he had. The Guru said that he had very few true Sikhs. To test his disciples, he sent out a call for all true believers to meet together early the next morning.

The day dawned dark and cloudy. When the Guru appeared, he seemed to be someone other than their kind master, for he wore dirty clothes and a hunting knife and had a fierce dog with him. Several of his followers were terrified and ran away. The rest followed the Guru down a road through the forest. After they had walked for a short while, they found the road covered with copper coins. Some of the Sikhs stuffed the coins in their pockets and ran away. The rest of the group continued on down the road. Further along, they found the road covered with silver coins. More of the Sikhs grabbed the coins and ran away. Few Sikhs remained with the Guru and the Yogi. The small band continued travelling and soon found the road covered with gold coins. The other Sikhs grabbed the coins and fled until only two Sikhs, the Yogi, and the Guru's sevadar Lahina, remained.

They came into a clearing where they saw a corpse wrapped up in a white sheet next to a pile of wood. There was a terrible smell in the air. The Guru said to his Sikhs, "Let whoever wants to be a true Sikh of mine eat this with me " The other two Sikhs turned white and drew back in horror, but Lahina kneeled next to the corpse and said, " Master, should I start at the head or the feet?" The Guru told him to start at the waist. As Lahina lifted the sheet to begin eating, the corpse turned into a feast of delicious sacred food. Lahina offered the food to the Guru first and said he would have what was left over. Guru Nanak was delighted, and said, "You have obtained this sacred food because you desired to share it with others. You now know my secret; you are in my own image. I will share with you the secret which will bring you happiness now and forever." The Guru then taught Lahina the Mool Mantra, the beginning of Japji. The Yogi saw that the light in Nanak was the same as in Lahina. He said, "O Nanak, he shall be your Guru who comes from your body - ang." Upon this, the Guru hugged Lahina, named him Angad, and promised that he would be the next Guru.


source:punjabilok.com

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Saturday, April 14, 2007

And the KHALSA......


Happy Vaisakhi to all.

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Friday, April 13, 2007

The AMRIT.....


Sur Naar Muni Jaan Amrit Khojde, So Amrit Guru Te Paya.....

pic. courtsey akalpurakh.blogspot.com

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Thursday, April 12, 2007

The KHANDA.....




Placed centrally, the khanda is a double edged sword with a broad blade that is symbol of the primal and almighty power of the Creator. The whole symbol takes its name from this sword. The pair of Kirpans or the curved swords represent what Guru Hargobind Jee used to carry, one he called miri and the other one piri. Hence these are the names of the kirpans on the khanda. The circle or the chakker or the ring represents power was used by Sikhs to a great effect - being one of the most lethal blade weapons. It is thrown or hurled, either by being released after being twirled around the smooth inside edge by the forefinger (a favourite Sikh method) or released frisbee-like or discus style.

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Tuesday, April 10, 2007

In light headed mode...



It is not what you say that matters but how you say it.



Frustration can be easily shown. Here the person took all the effort to show his/her's. Pardon me for not changing the original work of the writer to a more appropriate word..



And here is someone making efforts to prove the person wrong.

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On a Lighter Note.....

I received an e-mail that had some jokes associated to being married. I hope I do not offend anyone by publishing them here.

Getting married is very much like going to a restaurant with friends. You order what you want, then when you see what the other person has, you wish you had ordered that.

Man: Is there any way for long life?
Dr: Get married.
Man: Will it help?
Dr: No, but the thought of long life will never come.

Why do couples hold hands during their wedding?
It's a formality just like two boxers shaking hands before the bout begins!

It's funny when people discuss Love Marriage vs Arranged.
It's like asking someone, if suicide is better or being murdered

It is difficult to understand GOD. He makes such beautiful things as women and then he turns them into Wives

If u r married please ignore this message.
For everyone else: Happy Independence Day.

Before marriage, a man will lie awake all night thinking about something a woman said.
After marriage, he'll fall asleep before she finishes what she was saying.

Prospective husband: Do you have a book called 'Man, The Master of Women'?
Salesgirl: The fiction department is on the other side, sir.

Fact of life: One woman brings you into this world crying & the other ensures you continue to do so for the rest of your life!

Q: Why doesn't law permit a man to marry a second woman?
A: Because as per law you cannot be punished twice for the same offence!

Share em with others if you find em funny. I did.

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Monday, April 09, 2007

Sikh Calander....

In present times, Sikh community use Nanakshahi Calendar and have left the use of Bikrami calendar which is said have lot of flaws. Starting from in 1999, all religious holidays for Sikh is observed according to the newly modified Nanakshahi Calendar. The years of the Nanakshahi calendar start with the birth of Guru Nanak Dev in 1469. Year 1998, is therefore, considered Nanakshahi 530. The modified calendar is based on the length of the tropical solar year instead of the lunar cycle. This ensures that the dates will not fluctuate from year to year, as was the case with the previously used Bikrami Calendar. Hence, the calendar helps Sikhs to correctly represent their historic events and move forward with a calendar of their own.

According to the Nanakshahi Calendar, Sikh New Year begins with Chet 1. This corresponds to March 14 in Gregorian or Common Era calendar. Nanakshahi calendar is gaining popularity in the Sikh diaspora and is likely to become the de facto standard of the Sikhs worldwide just as Christians have Gregorian calendar, Muslims have Hijri calendar, Hindus have Bikrami and Saka calendars and Bahais have their own distinct calendar.

In a Nanakshahi calendar or Sikh Calendar, the first day of each month is known as Sangrand, and correlates to dates on Common Era calendar as shown below.

Date in Nanakshahi ---------------- Date in Common Era

Chet 1 ------------------------------ March 14
Vaisakh 1 --------------------------- April 14
Jeth 1 ------------------------------- May 15
Harh 1 ------------------------------ June 15
Sawan 1 ---------------------------- July 16
Bhadon 1 --------------------------- August 16
Asu 1 -------------------------------- September 15
Katik 1 ------------------------------ October 15
Maghar 1 ---------------------------- November 14
Poh 1 -------------------------------- December 14
Magh 1 ------------------------------ January 13
Phagan 1 ---------------------------- February 12

So as it is seen, Sikh new year begins on March 14 and not on Baisakhi April the 14th.

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Friday, April 06, 2007

A Call Centre Conversation....

Caller : Hi there. I have a problem with my printer. I does not work.

CSR : What seems to be the problem?

Caller : The Mouse. The Mouse is jammed in the printer.

CSR : What has the Mouse to do with your Printer not working.

Click here to unfold the mystery of printer problem...

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Wednesday, April 04, 2007

First Indian to grab 10 wickets...

Anil Kumble, the First Indian to grab all 10 wickets in a Test match (against Pakistan).

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First Indian to bag a Hat Trick...

Harbhajan Singh, the first Indian ever to bag a Hat trick (3 consecutive wickets) in a test match.



These are incidents from the past but I hope in the wake of dismal performance India showed in the World Cup of 2007, this will cheer the cricket fans a lil bit.

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Monday, April 02, 2007

10-foot wave wipes out village in Solomons...

At least 13 dead in after bone-rattling earthquake, tsunami strike region.

A bone-rattling earthquake sparked a tsunami that sent 10-foot high waves crashing into parts of the Solomon Islands on Monday, wiping out one village and killing at least 13 people. The death toll was expected to rise.

The large waves struck the western town of Gizo, inundating buildings and causing widespread destruction within five minutes of the earthquake.

“There wasn’t any warning — the warning was the earth tremors,” Alex Lokopio, the premier of the Solomon’s Western Province, told New Zealand’s National Radio. “It shook us very, very strongly and we were frightened, and all of a sudden the sea was rising up.”

Click here for complete news...

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Sunday, April 01, 2007

April Fool's day....

April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day occurs annually on April 1. The day is generally observed by playing a practical joke on a "victim" who soon becomes known as an April Fool. This custom is thought to have started in France during the 16th century but the British are credited with bringing it to the United States.

The commonly accepted origin of April Fool's Day involves changes in the calendar. At one time, the New Year celebration used to be on April 1st. However, in 1582, King Charles IX adopted the Gregorian calendar and accepted the beginning of the new year as January 1st. Those who refused to acknowledge the new date or simply forgot received foolish gifts and invitations to nonexistent parties. The butt of such a prank was known as a "poisson d'avril" or "April fish."

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