April 8, 2011: Baisakhi Day is celebrated each year in the Sikh Community of Southern California with an exquisite Kirtan Darbar and royal Nagar Kirtan. Baisakhi Day commemorates the day in 1699 when the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, established the Khalsa Panth; a society dedicated to Purity of Spirit.
This year the Sikh Community of Southern California will host its annual Baisakhi Day Celebration at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA. 90015, on Sunday, April 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Live Internet Broadcast
The event will be broadcast live on the internet all day. From the early morning Asa Di Var to the Nagar Kirtan. Visit this page or Sikhnet home page on scheduled day/time to watch it live online.
The year's theme is "I belong to the Khalsa, the Khalsa belongs to me." - Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The program is a collaborative effort of service and participation from many of the 25 Gurdwaras in Southern California. The day's events begin at 4:00 a.m. at Guru Ram Das Ashram (established by Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogi Ji in 1972), 1620 Preuss Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90035, with a beautiful Asa di Var Kirtan program. At 7:00 a.m., there is a Grand Procession of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to the Convention Center, with police motorcade escort and a caravan of cars filled with the Sadh Sangat.
The Kirtan Program at the Convention Center begins at 7:50 a.m. with the Jaap Sahib Bani of Guru Gobind Singh Ji sung to music by the Guru Ram Das Ashram Kirtan Jetha. Following will be Kirtan from children's groups and many Ragi Jethas from the Southern California Gurdwaras. The program will feature Bhai Balwinder Singh Jetha, Hazoori Ragi Darbar Sahib, and a 5-Ragi Jetha Presentation under the direction of Prof. Ranjit Singh of Bhai Mardana Academy. Guru ka Langar, a community vegetarian meal, will be served throughout the day beginning at 8:00 a.m. and continuing through 4:00 p.m. There are many activities for children, and a popular and busy Baisakhi Bazaar.
The Kirtan Darbar will be followed by a 2-mile Nagar Kirtan beginning at 3:00 p.m. The parade will feature many decorative floats with special themes representing Sikh history, faith and culture. Delicious treats will be served during and after the parade.
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| Pics from the celebrations last year |
There are many opportunities for individuals to participate in doing seva for this festive event. Saturday, April 16, all are welcome to participate in the parade float decorations at Khalsa Care Foundation, 9989 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331. Additionally, sevadars are welcome to participate in decorating the Darbar Hall at the Convention Center on Saturday, April 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Preparations for Guru ka Langar will be on Saturday, April 16 from noon to midnight at Khalsa Peace Corps/Guru Ram Das Ashram, 1618 Preuss Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90035.
The Sikh Dharma Guru Ram Das Ashram Community also will be hosting an Amrit Sanchar ceremony for all individuals interested in renewing their vows as Khalsa. This will be held at Guru Ram Das Ashram on Friday, April 15 at 3:00 a.m., 1620 Preuss Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90035.
For more information call 310-201-0954.
For information about the Kirtan Darbar please contact Kirtan Singh Khalsa at 310-990-4573 or Dr. Hari Bhajan Singh Khalsa at 310-275-0575.
For information regarding the Nagar Kirtan please contact Gurdip Singh Malik at 213-923-4975 or Joginder Singh Sidhu at 818-266-4757.
For information regarding Bazaar Tables, please contact Simran Kaur Khalsa at 310-836-1667.
For information regarding Langar Seva, please contact Hardip Singh Virdi at 310-801-8801 or Dr. Manjit Singh Khalsa at 310-704-0944.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Programs:
Venue:
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Los Angeles Convention Center
Concourse Hall
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Timings:
7:30 am - Prakash of Siri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, followed by Musical Jaap Sahib
8:30 am - 10:30 am - Children's Jethas from Southern California
10:30 am - 12:30 pm - Ragi Jathas from Southern California
12:30 pm - 1:15 pm - Saropa Ceremony, honoring distinguished guests:
o Bhai Sahiba Bibi Inderjit Kaur
o Siri Sikdar Sahiba Sardani Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa
o U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman
o U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu
o Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky
o Los Angeles City Council member Jan Perry
o Los Angeles City Council member Paul Koretz
1: 15 pm - 2:30 pm - Featured Guest Ragi Jetha - Bhai Balwinder Singh Jetha, Hazoori Ragi, Darbar Sahib, and
Five Ragi Jatha Presentation, under direction of Professor Ranjit Singh of Bhai Mardana Academy.
2:30 pm - Samapti.
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Nagar Kirtan.