The Amrit World

Pictures of Fatehgarh Sahib's Shahidi Jorh Mela

2007-12-31T22:19:00.000-08:00

The Gallery section of AmritWorld has been updated by a new segment Martyrdom Festival Sri Fatehgarh Sahib Ji (2007)

An Email from New Zealand

2007-11-30T09:08:00.000-08:00

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa.
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Guru Payare Singh Sahib Ji,

My name is Varinder Singh. I live in New Zealand. Today I had heaps of free time on my job.

I love the 'Bana' Of Nihang Singhs because I heard it is the 'Bana' of Sahib Shri Guru Gobind Singh ji. Due to this love of 'Bana' I was surfing internet and I visited the page where you have mentioned "BHANG".

Singh Sahib! 6 months ago my name was Varinder Kumar. I was from Radha Soami family, but when I saw the history of Sikhisim and when I read Guru Granth Sahib Ji and when I started to do Nitnet, I got answer of my each and every question.

I realised that what the hell Radha Soami Baba is doing. He calls himself a Guru and every one over there says, 'where its writen in Guru Granth sahib that Guru Maneo Granth?'

But I got the answer to that question....... Guru Sahib clearly wrote it,

"BANI GURU, GURU HAI BANI, VICH BANI AMRIT SARE"
And also "VAHO VAHO BANI NIRANKAR HAI"
So I don't know, why don't they explain these lines of Gurbani to people????

And when I saw the article that you have written under the title of "BHANG" under this link http://www.amritworld.com/bhang.html I was shocked because Guru Sahib did not put any difference between man or woman, boy or girl, Singh or Singhni and also between Simple Singh and NIHANG SINGH....

I don't know how come these sorts of people don't live their life according to Gurbani. They have BANA only but they don't have Jeevan.

Every Sikh has main three things 1) Bani 2)Bana 3)Jeevan

I 110% agree with you on these lines you wrote in the end

"It is obvious from arguments given by Singh Sahib Bhai Joginder Singh Ji that he used the terms 'Bhang' and 'Sukhnidhaan' as synonymous with each other. Being the head priest of Takht Sahib Ji, he must have read these lines of the Gurbani: -

Kabeer Bhaang Maachhulee Sura Paan Jo Jo praanee Khaanhe. Teerath Barat Nem Keeye Te Sabhai Rasaatal Jaanhe. 233. (Kabeer, those mortals who consume marijuana, fish and wine; - Pilgrimages, fasts and rituals they followed will all go to hell. 233.) (Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, page 1377).

I do not know why Singh Sahib Ji did not consider it necessary to mention these lines when he was discussing such an important topic. "

I was so happy when I saw this.

You know Singh Sahib these sorts of people are polluting SIKHI.

Up to what extent Guru Sahib gave me knowledge in past 6 months, according to that I think if some one have "NASHA OF NAAM SIMRAN" or some one is getting "NASHA FROM NAAM SIMRAN" then they don't need any "NASHA OF BHANG AT ALL"
Before taking Amrit I talked to several people from different religions and the précised way that is given to us by Gurus, I don't think some one has that sort of.

Singh Sahib in New Zealand I have seen few NIHANG SINGHs and they have every thing Bani, BANA and Jeevan as well.

I am really thankful to AKAL PURAKH that I got Sikhi in New Zealand not in Punjab because I saw the Jeevan of those Nihang Singhs in NZ and automatically I started to love Nihang Bana, because they are very kind. They don't take NASHA OF BAHNG. They do NAAM SIMRAN when ever they get time for that and I think that is the main thing and I think this is way How NIHANG SINGH should be.............

Singh Sahib if I have said some thing wrong then I am very sorry, but when I saw the last line of your artical it fill up me with happiness.

Changa Ji Singh Sahib

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa,
Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.

Are these hooligans our future Army officers?

2007-11-28T20:08:00.000-08:00

Madhav Singh wrote on MeriNews.com , 27 November 2007, Tuesday

THEY COME from all over, from distance towns and villages and spilled over around the army area.

All the rattling buses to the city had to bear large burden of hopefuls, without tickets, occupying the rooftop and no one could dare to object. The fate of trains was no different with large youthful crowds singing and sitting on the curved dangerous roofs. The moment these trains entered the city limits the youth took out stones from the pockets and bags and bombarded the houses near railway tracks. The glass panes got shattered, earthen pots vanished with a bang and a few child, aged and women got hurt.

The crowds in our Bharat have mind of their own and reaction pattern feared by all. In large crowds, heinous crimes go unpunished forever. It has become too safe for many to let out the boiling prejudices, thrash and even kill anyone and do collectively whatever one could not have guts and opportunities to indulge in alone.

The large crowds confer the coveted unanimity, which propels some to indulge in unimagined violence and gore. Its is very disturbing that how simple, otherwise docile people get attracted to such violence, some of it reserved for young girls and women.

The new recruitment for men was scheduled the next day. The army area nearby was surrounded by the eager, starry-eyed young men looking for a career in Indian army, one of the coveted occupations for many of the sturdy youths. But there has been stampede and deaths resulting for the huge unmanageable crowd. But the lesson had not been learned and the area of city was slowly filled by large number of youth. They come with one Rexene bag, a leaking plastic water bottle, and papers. For more compelling were lots of dreams and hope to make it and change their uneventful life forever.

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‘Dastaar-bandi’ Ceremony of Baba Balbir Singh Akali

2007-11-12T07:51:00.000-08:00

This video shows a few moments of 'Dastaar-bandi' ceremony of Baba Balbir Singh Akali.

Composition of Bengal Native Infantry

2007-10-28T22:01:00.000-07:00

In his lecture on ‘1857 – Mahakranti’ (organized by ‘Panchnad Shodh Sansthan’ in Chandigarh), historian Professor Devendra Swaroop shared some very interesting facts.

According to Prof. Devendra Swaroop, in Bengal Native Infantry, more than 80, 000 soldiers were from Eastern UP (Avadh and Bhojpuri area) and Bihar. Most of them were Brahmans. 40 per cent soldiers of Bengal Native Infantry were Brahmans. 20 % soldiers were Rajputs and 20% soldiers of this infantry were Muslims. Remaining 20% soldiers belonged to other castes and groups. This was the composition of Bengal Native Infantry.

Most of Brahman soldiers of Bengal Naïve Infantry were from Eastern UP (Avadh and Bhojpuri area). They were called ‘Poorabeeya’ and ‘Pandey Ji’. These soldiers were in fact the power of British rule (East India Company). The revolt of 1857 would not have been possible, if these ‘Poorabeeya’ soldiers had not stood against the British.

Sehajdhari

2007-10-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

Sehajdhari

(Gajinder Singh)

Sehajdhari is a phrase quite prevalent in Sikhism, the origin of which is obscure to the general public, as to when, how and where it sprang from and what it denotes. It is, however, attracting more notice, so that, today the community is in the midst of heated debates about he status and station of the sehajdhari, and whether to allow them official position, any rights and privileges in the Guru panth. Few decades ago, this term was confined to non-baptized Sikhs who wanted to slowly converge on the path of baptism but would not rush into it, on some pretext. Now, quite a flood of such reluctant Sikhs has erupted and it seems that they are keen to take center stage and push back the mainstream adherents to a side role. In their eagerness to defend their stance as correct and pertinent, they are coining and inventing arguments, small and trite and at the same time have shed the previous resolve to partake of baptism sooner or later.

In a Hukamnama to Kabul sangat as well his messages to Sikhs at the advent of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, the Tenth Master expressed his desire that the Sikhs got baptised en masse, and even at the time of the initial baptismal ceremony of March, 1699, he asked the general house assembled to take to baptism. Thousands complied with this injunction on the very first day.

It should be enough for a person who wants to be categorised as a Gur-sikh to shed his small ego and unquestioningly follow the dictates of his Guru. Liberty to question the bona-fides of the Master is the height of incensing behaviour. Sikhism has been a historical process evolving through the ten Masters, till Guru Gobind Singh gave it a final shape and declared the sanctity of Guru Granth and Guru Panth. To start with, therefore, there is absolutely no scope for the disciple to stand up and question the credibility of the Guru himself, to shape the basic structure. In fact, those who stood up and tried to find fault with ceremony of khande ki pahul in March 1699 were cast away from the main body of Sikhs, till they humbly submitted to be taken back into the fold. The tendency to use the limited knowledge and resources to cast doubts in the minds of laity is pure mischief, casting aspersions which cannot be a constructive effort to progress Guru-wards. Guru Granth Sahib is full of instructions to the Sikhs to cut down personal ego and to accept as the truth and final, what the Guru defines and states.

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Jathedar Santa Singh

2007-10-10T10:38:00.001-07:00

There are rumours about health of Nihang Chief Jathedar Santa Singh. So many things have been said about his health. I met him during ‘Dastar-Bandi’ ceremony of Baba Balbir Singh Akali on October 01, 2007 and shared ‘Fateh’ (Sikh salutation ‘Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa. Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh’).

Being an old man, he is unable to move even his hands. He was brought there on a wheel chair. Nihangs are always there to help this Nihang chief, who was once a center of controversy over ‘Kar Seva’ of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Ji.

I think I should not go in details describing his health problem. Instead, I should share a video clip showing Jathedar Santa Singh when he took part in ‘Bhog’ ceremony of Jathedar Asa Singh and others (relatives of Baba Balbir Singh). The ‘Dastaar-Bandi’ ceremony of Baba Balbir Singh Akali was also held during the ‘Bhog’ ceremony.

Giani Gurbachan Singh (Head Granthi Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar), Giani Joginder Singh (Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib Ji), Giani Iqbal Singh (Jathedar Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib Patna Sahib Ji), Giani Tarlochan Singh (Jathedar Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Ji), Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh (Jathedar Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Ji), Baba Balbir Singh Akali, S. Avtar Singh (President, the SGPC), Bibi Jagir Kaur (ex-President, the SGPC), S. Kirpal Singh Badungar (ex-President, the SGPC), Bir Davinder Singh (ex-deputy speaker of Punjab Assembly) and Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra (ex-Member Parliament) etc are seen in the video clip.

Nihang Niddar Singh

2007-10-08T23:36:00.000-07:00

I visited his websites and also criticized a few of his views. A few persons, who seem to be his students and supporters did not like my analysis and tried to insult me on a few �Sikh� websites. I was repeatedly asked to meet him in person. Well, it was not possible for me, as he lives in UK and I am in India.

When I met Baba Balbir Singh in Bageechee Baba Bamba Singh in Patiala, he told me that Nihang Niddar Singh visited him. I knew that Nihang Niddar Singh is considered to be a supporter of another faction of Nihangs. Baba Balbir Singh informed me that Nihang Niddar Singh would come to attend the �Bhog� ceremony for four family members of Baba Balbir Singh.

After two days, during the �Bhog� ceremony, when I was busy with my cameras, I got an SMS message from a Budhha Dal�s Nihang. The message read that Nihang Niddar Singh was standing opposite the stage. I looked around and he was there watching the function very carefully.

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The 'Antim Ardas' performed

2007-10-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

The ‘Antim Ardaas’ (last prayer) for Jathedar Asa Singh, Bhai Jagdish Singh, Karamjit Singh and Bhajan Singh was performed on Monday, October 1st in Patiala city, Punjab, India. All of them were relatives of Baba Balbir Singh Akali of Budhha Dal. Jathedar Asa Singh was father, Bhai Bhajan Singh and Bhai Jagdish Singh were brothers and Karamjit Singh was nephew of Baba Balbir Singh Akali. (Related news item: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070922/main4.htm)

In the congregation, Jathedar Santa Singh, the chief of Budhha Dal, gave turban to Baba Balbir Singh and appointed him the Jathedar (chief) of Budhha Dal. Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Ji Giani Joginder Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib Patna Sahib, Giani Iqbal Singh Ji, Jathedar Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Tarlochan Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh presented turbans to Baba Balbir Singh and thus recognized him as the Chief of Budhha Dal. Sant Hari Singh Randhawe Wale, Jathedar Man Singh ‘Marhian Wale’, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Nihang Niddar Singh (Shastra-Vidya Ustad from UK) and many other well known personalities gave turbans to Balbir Singh Akali.

Though, Nihang Niddar Singh attended the ceremony, he does not recognise Baba Balbir Singh as Budhha Dal Chief.

(A detailed report, pictures and video will be added on AmritWorld.com in a few days).

Jathedar Santa Singh and Baba Balbir Singh Akali

Nihang Niddar Singh (Shastra-Vidya Ustad from UK) with Baba Balbir Singh (Nihang Niddar Singh does not recognise Baba Balbir Singh as Budhha Dal Chief).

Myself with Baba Balbir Singh Akali

Myself with Nihang Niddar Singh (Shastra-Vidya Ustad)

(A detailed report, pictures and video will be added on AmritWorld.com in a few days).

Krishna, Rukmani, Subhadra, Radha

2007-09-10T23:27:00.000-07:00

Myself with children dressed as Krishna, Radha, Subhadra and Rukmani..

Krishna Janamashtmi with Mahanubhav Panth

2007-09-10T21:12:00.000-07:00

Children dressed as Radha and Krishna during Krishna Janamashtmi celebrations.

Krishna Janamashtmi (Birthday of Lord Krishna) is a major Hindu religious festival.

Watch the video: Krishna Janamashtmi with Mahanubhav Panth

Now it’s Virk’s turn

2007-09-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

I have just read this editorial in The Tribune: -

Now it’s Virk’s turn
V is for vigilance, not vendetta

THE arrest of S.S. Virk, a serving IPS officer and former Director-General of Police, who headed the Punjab Police when the Congress was in power, is a blot on the Indian police force. It is for the first time that an officer of such a high rank has been arrested. People do not expect police officers to break the law and allow themselves to be treated as criminals. Few will have any sympathy for Virk, who faces serious charges of amassing assets vastly disproportionate to his known sources of income and entering into questionable deals with terrorists. He was so closely identified with the Amarinder Singh government that a constitutional body like the Election Commission was constrained to remove him from his position as Punjab Police chief when elections were held in Punjab. The arrest is the culmination of a process that had begun with the advent of the present regime.

Gurdwara Sri Pataalpuri Sahib Ji

2007-09-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

Gurdwara Sri Pataalpuri Sahib Ji is built in sweet memory of the sixth Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. Here, he left for his heavenly abode.

Here, Many Sikhs immerse ashes of their dead in flowing water of river Satluj.

Sacred Childhood

2007-08-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

I saw this lovely child in a religious function. She was so shy, but at last readied to face my camera...

Dr Prasad had just Rs 100 when he died

2007-07-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

Dr Prasad had just Rs 100 when he died
PNB keeps A/c open to show it to public
Ambarish Dutta
Tribune News Service

Patna, July 1
At a time when the present day politicians declare assets worth crores, including the latest revelation by Chief Minister of UP Mayawati declaring her assets running into Rs 52 crore, the balance amount of a savings account once held by the country`s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, is a meagre Rs 1,432.

What is more amazing is that Dr Rajendra Prasad had a meagre savings of only about Rs 100 in his personal bank account here when he died 43 years ago, which following accruals of interest had gone up to Rs 1,432 now.

Read the news

YPS Crossing

2007-06-22T03:06:00.000-07:00

Watch video YPS Crossing

Gurdwara Sri Bauli Sahib, Dhakauli

2007-06-21T03:24:00.000-07:00

Gurdwara Sri Bauli Sahib Ji is situated in village 'Dhakauli' (distt. Patiala), Punjab, India. After winning the battle of Bhangani Sahib, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji visited this village.

The villagers told Guru Ji about water shortage in this village. On hearing this, Guru Gobind Singh Ji pierced his spear in the soil and immediately sweet and clean water started flowing.

Sikhs later constructed a 'Bauli' there.

A source of water is called 'Bauli' in which stairs are constructed to reach the water. Thus, a 'Bauli' is simply a covered reservoir built with stairs.

This historic 'Bauli' still exists.

Martyrdom Day of the Fifth Guru

2007-06-16T01:14:00.000-07:00

Click the picture for pictures and video of 'Chhabeel' organized on Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji, the fifth Guru of Sikhs: -

Jit Val Nazar Ute Val Sajjan

2007-06-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

‘Jit Val Nazar, Ute Val Sajjan‘ is another beautiful Punjabi poem by Bhai Sahib Bhai Vir Singh Ji: -

World Gatka Day

2007-06-10T23:07:00.000-07:00

World Gatka Day

Rome, June 21st, 2007
Yogi Bhajan Akhara Centre – Via Prestinari 19/a - Roma

A.S.D. Federazione Italiana Gatka
Via Marcello Prestinari 19/A – 00195 ROMA
Tel. 0039063217044
http://www.gatka.eu
Info: webmaster@gatka.eu

Program

18.00: Welcome Tea and Registration

18.30: Opening and presentation by Antoinette Nikolowa, BTV News Corp. USA special correspondent.

Gigi D’Arpino (Italian theatre actor) and M.° Hari Simran Singh Khalsa read
“Glory to the Sword”, a Guru Gobinde Singh poetry (XVII sec.).

Guru Shabad Singh Khalsa De Santis (Italian Gatka Federation President) lecture
“World Gatka Day: ”First step on a long way”

Dr. Sergio Raimondo (National Scientific ADO UISP Comitee) lecture
“The oriental disciplines in the modern society: a paradox of present interest”

Dr. Giuseppe Fort (UPTER University archaeology teacher and Municipal Capena Museum Director) lecture
“ Marco Polo and the silk road”

Dr. Khalsa Ji Sada Sat Singh Khalsa (3HO and Sikh Dharma minister for the Europe) lecture
“Shakti and Bhakty, an atavic encounter/meeting East and West”

Prize “Cherdi Kala” 2007 conferring to Dr. Silvano Addamiani, “Azzurri d’Italia” President.

20.00: Regards to the participants

20.30: Dinner

22.00: Concert of Nanak Group from F.I.G. “Art and Culture division”, with the special participation of Sada Sat Kaur Khalsa.

24.00: Gatka Night Intensive Training.

06.00: WGD Closing and Breakfast.

'Ichhabal Te Doonghian Shaamaan'

2007-06-10T04:57:00.000-07:00

I got an email by Brother Raman Grewal Ji. He was searching for a beautiful and inspiring poem written by Bhai Vir Singh Ji "Ichhabal Te Doonghian Shaamaan". I just have typewritten the poem for Raman Grewal Ji and thought to bring it online for other visitors also. I will add a few more poems by this great poet (Bhai Sahib Vir Singh Ji) in a few days.

Sikhs were not loyal to the British in 1857

2007-06-07T02:36:00.000-07:00

Prof. K.C. Yadav, Professor of History, Haryana Institute of Public Administration, Gurgaon, Haryana (India) has written this well researched article on role of Sikhs during 1857’s mutiny.

I suggest that we should write letters to Prof. K.C. Yadav thanking him for this article. It is very common that many historians make point that Sikhs were loyal to the British during 1857’s mutiny. Prof. K. C. Yadav has proved in his article that it is not true and Sikhs were not loyal to the British during that historic event of Indian history. I suggest that we should write letters to Prof. K.C. Yadav thanking him for this article.

Such letters can be sent to this address: -

Prof. K.C. Yadav,
Professor of History,
Haryana Institute of Public Administration,
Gurgaon, Haryana (India)

(Read Prof. K. C. Yadav’s article Sikhs were not loyal to the British in 1857).

Good Personality Competition (Males)

2007-05-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

Good Personality and Beautiful Hair Competition (Girls)

2007-05-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

Turban Competition Video

2007-05-23T01:18:00.000-07:00