Birth of Khalsa: festivities begin
From P.P.S. Gill
Tribune News Service

ANANDPUR SAHIB, Nov 22 — A show of religious exuberance in the foothills of the Shivalik hills marked the laying of the foundation stone of the Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex, to commemorate the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa, here today.

At 12.52 p.m. ‘Panj Pyare’ — the five beloved ones — pressed buttons to lift kesari curtain from the white marble foundation stone. Sikh leaders and a multitude of devotees reached here in procession, which started from Takht Keshgarh Sahib.

The procession started after the ‘bhog’ of an Akhand path, specially organised to mark the commencement of the celebrations.

The devotees jostled and craned necks to have a better view of weapons belonging to Sikh warriors of yore, including ones used by Guru Gobind Singh. Another attraction was two horses, Jodha Singh and Anmol Singh, whose lineage is traced to the horse used by the Tenth Guru. These were brought here from Takht Sach Khand, Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded.

The horses led the procession. Besides Kamble Madhav and Namdeo Somla Rathore, the two "astbal sewadars", who have accompanied the horses the state had deputed two veterinary doctors to look after them. The two sewadars have been looking after the horses for the past 20 years. The horses led the procession followed by ‘Panj Pyare’ holding Nishan Sahibs.

There were two decorated elephants, while, on one were the five Bhai Sahibs, who performed the foundation stone laying ceremony and on the other was a "nagara". Thereafter came the three Army bands of the 18 Sikh Regiment (Band master Lachhman Singh from Kapurthala), the Sikh Light Infantry (Band master Wazir Singh from Fatehgarh) and the Sikh Regiment (Band master Dhir Singh) who first played the tune of "Deh Shiva Var.." and also played "Kadam, Kadam Baraye Ja..."

Immediately thereafter came the police gypsies decked with marigold flowers. Standing in these vehicles were Akali leaders and other VIPs, including the two Takht Jathedars Bhai Manjit Singh of Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib and Bhai Kewal Singh of Takht Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, in Bathinda. There were five deep columns of Nihangs astride horses. Dressed in deep blue tunics, carrying spears and drawn swords. Their attire and traditional regalia added colour to the procession just as did the Namdhari sect sangat dressed in all white singing Shabad.

The vehicle carrying relics and weapons was flanked by bands of the Youth Akali Dal, whose volunteers dressed in white kurta-pyjama and carrying kesari flags escorted the vehicle on which stood Captain Kanwaljit Singh, overall in charge of today's ceremony.

A large number of school children in their colourful uniforms played their respective school bands and marched in step much to the delight of the devotees who lined up the route and stood patiently with folded hands. The horsemen of the Punjab police formed the rear of the procession. In their ceremonial dress these mounts drew spontaneous applause in the form of "Bole so Nihal".

The 'Panj Pyare', who performed the ceremony were the ones who baptise Sikhs at Takht Keshgarh Sahib, the birth place of the Khalsa created by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. The five were Bhai Harbans Singh, Bhai Major Singh, Bhai Ajaib Singh, Bhai Darshan Singh and Bhai Satnam Singh.

A bluish waterfall cascaded down the face of the foundation-stone which has an inscription of Guru Gobind Singh's hymns eulogising the 'Panj Pyare' and also bears the name of Mata Sahib Kaur.

There was a near stampede at the entrance to the site of the foundation stone. The police had to use a mild force to push back gate-crashers, including several VIPs. A large battery of cameramen blocked the view. Among those who watched the kesari curtain going up were the Governor, Lt-Gen BKN Chhibber (retd), the two architects, Akali leaders, and senior government officers.

Later Bhai Manjit Singh, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal and Mr Parkash Singh Badal, addressed the gathering from atop the hill where the foundation stone laying ceremony was held. They all eulogised each other's contribution in the celebrations and recounted the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh and urged people to get baptised.

Sant Labh Singh of Gurdwara Qila Anandgarh presented siropas. While the ceremony was in progress a big contingent of Nihangs and others performed a "gatka" atop another hill with devotees surrounding in large numbers. So large was the turnout that the narrow alleys and underconstruction roads were choked.

Much to the chagrin of the people, the serenity and solemnity of the celebrations was occasionally interrupted by the wails of the sirens of the police vehicles escorting the VIPs. Unmindful of the rush and risk involved, people were often made to run helter-skelter by police drivers who showed off their rash driving skills.

As the ceremony concluded with a display of fireworks. Doordarshan had made special arrangements for live telecast of the event from 11.15 a.m. to 1.15 p.m.

The controversy

Today's ceremony comes in the wake of a controversy raked by the Jathedar of Akal Takht Bhai Ranjit Singh disassociating himself from today's function on the pretext that he was neither consulted nor shown the plans at the complex. He also rued the manner the government had overshadowed the occasion and ignored him.

Somewhere deep inside, perhaps, he nurses a grudge or two against the Anandpur Sahib Foundation, headed by Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, MP, and Bhai Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Takht Keshgarh Sahib.

The common refrain here was that Bhai Sahib should have attended the ceremony following "appeals" from different quarters. However, jathedar's absence went unnoticed.

Though the jathedars of Nanded and Patna could not attend the function, the managements of the two, however, was well represented.

There was a lot of enthusiasm among the devotees for whom there were several "langars" organised by voluntary organisations and institutions. Several medical aid checkposts were also set up. The function turned out to be a truly inter-faith occasion with visible presence of Christians and Muslims joining Sikh devotees in langars organised around the site.

The Architect

THE Khalsa Heritage Complex has been designed by Moshe Safdie. He is an internationally known architect, who has designed the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem and the Jewish Museum in Los Angeles, in the USA.

To catch a glimpse of Safdie, who was present at the foundation stone laying ceremony was everybody’s desire. He designed the complex in association with a Chandigarh-based architect, Mr Satnam Singh, who is credited with designing the "Nishan-e-Khalsa", which, as per the model on display, is set slightly apart from the complex upon a small hill.

The "N-e-K" is often called the "heart" of the complex, which in itself has been described as a "ajooba" — a wonder. The highpoint of the "N-e-K" will be 60-metre high "khanda" (double-edged sword) symbolising indomitable spirit of the Khalsa.

Safdie told TNS that he was simply elated at the spontaneous joy and response of the community to the occasion. "It is an awe inspiring experience. I have never seen such reverence and enthusiasm anywhere before. It is exciting", he said while clicking Nihangs.

The complex, Safdie said can be completed in two years. Later, Mr Parkash Singh Badal said money will be no problem and if need be a big contractor will be engaged even if that mean paying some more money.

The complex tell the story of the Sikh "quom" through murals, paintings, photographs, artefacts by making use of the state-of-the-art equipment.