U.S. Visit of Singh Sahib Giani Gurubachan Singh Ji, Jathedar Akal Takhat

On the invitation of Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa, Ambassador of Sikh Dharma and Chairman of Guru Ram Das Sikh Mission of America (New Mexico), Singh Sahib Gurubachan Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takhat Sahib visited the West Coast including New Mexico, Arizona and California.

The first stop was in Espanola, New Mexico on June 6th, 2009. The Jathedar Sahib attended the evening kirtan program in remembrance of the June 6th attack on Akal Takhat Sahib in 1984. All Sikh Dharma ashrams across the nation and internationally celebrate this day on the 6th of every month of the year. Yogi Bhajan had started this tradition of remembering the martyrdom of Akal Takhat Sahib on June 6th, 1984. The Jathedar in his address spoke of the services of Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji to the Sikh Panth and his role in bringing thousands of westerners to the Sikh faith. The Jathedar said that he was impressed and inspired by the dedication of the local sangat and their role in continuing the mission started by Yogi Bhajan. He appealed to all members of Sikh Dharma International to work in unity to promote the mission started by Yogi Bjahan. He was honored by a saropa from Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa, Siri Sikdar Sahiba of Sikh Dharma International. Sikh Dharma International welcomed and hosted the Jathedar's visit to Espanola. The Jathedar was welcomed to New Mexico by Siri Sikdar Sahiba Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur, Bhai Sahiba Bibiji Inderjit Kaur and by Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa, Ambassador of Sikh Dharma along with other members of Sikh Dharma International in New Mexico.

The next stop was Phoenix, Arizona on January 7th, 2009. The Jathedar visited Guru Nanak Dwara Ashram and was shown the new Gurudwara building which is under construction. The Jathedar was welcomed by Sikh Dharma International and local community members in Phoenix and was given a saropa at the Gurudwara. He visited several other local community members in Phoenix during the afternoon.

After Phoenix, the Jathedar arrived in Los Angeles on January 7th in the evening. He attended Gurdwara Walnut from 7 Pm to 8 PM and was honored with a saropa by the management committee. While addressing the Walnut Gurdwara sangat, he said there is a need for the Sikh parents to bring the values and teachings of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib to our children. He said that as Akal Takhat Jathedar he is always there for the entire Sikh community and anyone can contact the office of the Akal Takhat for any information or help. While addressing the sangat at Walnut, Giani Ranjit Singh said that the entire Sikh community must adhere to the Hukamnamas and directions from the Akal Takhat as this is the supreme authority of the Sikhs. He further requested the sangat to pray to Guru Granth Sahib to give strength and power to the Akal Takhat Jathedar so that he may serve the highest office of the Sikhs with pride and dignity and unite the Khalsa Panth.

The second stop in Los Angeles was Buena Park Gurdwara. The Jathedar addressed the sangat and said that he was happy to come to S. California and visit the local sangat of the Sikhs. In his address he emphasized the fact that all Sikhs must adhere by the teachings of the Shabad Guru and also tell their next generation to live by the Shabad Guru. He said that while we have TV’s in each of the rooms in our homes and listen to all kinds of music and shows on TV; most families do not have the Siri Guru Granth Sahib at their homes. He said that we must teach our children Punjabi and instill in them the teachings of the Shabad Guru.

The following day on January 8th, 2009, Singh Sahib Gurubachan Singh Ji visited Gurdwara Vermont in North Hollywood along with Giani Ranjit Singh. He again stressed the need for believing in the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib and said that all Sikhs must live by the teachings of the Shabad Guru. He was honored by the managing committee of the Gurdwara with a saropa. Several members of Gurdwara Vermont also thanked him for visiting them and brought several Sikh issues to the attention of the Jathedar. The Jathedar took their suggestions and recommendations and said that he will work on them, along with the other Jathedars of other Takhats and bring a uniform code of conduct for all Sikhs.

After visiting Gurudwara Vermont, the Jathedar visited Lankershim Gurudwara. He was introduced by Giani Ranjit Singh who stressed the need for all Sikhs to abide by and respect the office of the Akal Takhat. Giani Ranjit Singh said that after the Guru Granth Sahib and the Panj Payaras, the Jathedar of Akal Takhat is the next highest person in the Sikh panth and that all Sikhs must respect that. The Jathedar thanked the entire Sikh community of S. California for coming and listening to him and for the love and affection they gave him during his visit to California.

This was the first visit of Giani Gurubachan Singh to USA after he assumed the office of the Jathedar of Akal Takhat Sahib. In all his speeches at various Gurdwaras, he thanked Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa, Ambassador of Sikh Dharma and Chairman of Guru Ram Das Sikh Mission of America (New Mexico) for inviting and sponsoring his visit to the West Coast. He asked the Office of Ambassador of Sikh Dharma to continue to promote the teachings of the Shabad Guru in the western countries and inspire more people to live by the teachings of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib. He also thanked Giani Ranjit Singh for accompanying him during his entire visit to the USA including in New York, Washington, D.C., New Mexico, Arizona and California.

Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa in his address at the last program of Akal Takhat Jathedar at Gurdwara Lankershim thanked the entire Sikh community of S. California and particularly the management committees of all Gurdwaras that hosted the Jathedar. He also thanked Jathedar S.S. Giani Gurubachan Singh and Giani Ranjit Singh for accepting the invitation of visiting the West Coast, USA. He further said that all Sikhs must respect the Akal Takhat and the decisions made by the Jathedar of Akal Takhat Sahib.

(Accompanied by Giani Ranjit Singh (Head Granthi Bangla Sahib,) Siri Sikdar Sahiba of Sikh Dharma Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur, Bhai Sahiba of Sikh Dharma Bibi Inderjit Kaur and Bhai Sahib Satpal Singh Khalsa (Ambassador of Sikh Dharma) January 7, 2009