On Saturday afternoon, September 13th, Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur, the Siri Sikdar Sahiba of Sikh Dharma International, took part in an Interfaith blessing during the opening of the Santa Fe Railyard in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Guru Amrit Kaur serves as the Chief Spiritual Minister for Sikh Dharma International. She was joined by spiritual representatives from other New Mexico faith-based communities, including Native American Richard Mermejo, lieutenant governor of Picuris Pueblo; Rev. Brooke Pickrell, Associate Pastor with the First Presbyterian Church; and Deacon Tom Stilth from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Catholic community.
During her blessing for the Railyard, Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur blessed all those who had worked in a community-spirit for the last 20 years to make the Santa Fe Railyard a reality. She also prayed for the future generations to keep the community spirit going and be good care-takers of what had been created.
The Santa Fe Railyard is a community project to revitalize an historic area in Santa Fe. The project began in the 1980s and over the years has involved tremendous dialogue – from local neighborhoods to the State Governor’s office. When the revitalization of the Railyard is complete, it will include studios, galleries, museums, community organizations, a permanent structure for the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market, and more than 13 acres of open space including a park, plaza, and trails for biking and walking. Trains will continue to arrive and depart from the depot. In addition, the Railyard will incorporate a number of innovative and environmentally responsible water-harvesting and other systems.
New Mexico is home to one of the most diverse faith communities in the United States. In the early 1970s, the late Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, who brought the Sikh faith to the West, made his headquarters in the beautiful Espanola Valley of New Mexico.
For more information about Sikh Dharma International, please visit www.sikhdharma.org
For more information on the Santa Fe Railyard community project, please visit www.sfrailyardcc.org