Guru Manyo Granth Jagriti Yatra

Guru Maneyo Granth Jagriti Yatra (journey of awakening or enlightenment) of Shri Guru Granth Sahib started on 15th November 2007 from Takht Sachkhand Shri Hazoor Sahib.

15th November 2007 marks the beginning of the historical Jagriti Yatra. It will lovingly showcase the shastars of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj and Sri Shaheed Singh along with puratan hast-likhit Sri Guru Granth Sahibji Maharaj. The yatra will reach several places in India and the world. True to its name, the Jagriti Yatra will create an awakening, imparting the message of One God and welfare of the entire mankind, irrespective of religion, caste or creed.

Since then the Yatra has been viewed by crowds in more than 100 cities throughout India — Orissa, West Bengal, Uttar Pardesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pardesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pardesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi and Punjab. Huge turnouts along the roadways have sometimes slowed the pocession causing scheduled arrival times to be delayed, but even the addition of pouring rains have not stemmed the crowds enthusiasm.

The Yatra is currently making rounds of the cities and Gurdwaras of Jammu & Kashmir. Plans are for for a return to Amritsar on the 13th, in time for the celebrations planned to commemorate the 300 year anniversary of the installation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the parlokgaman (heavenly journey) of Guru Gobind Singh.

One Word About Nanded

Before placing 300 Saal Guru de Naal - the sacred Tercentenary Celebrations at Nanded, Maharashtra into its real perspective, we may need to say a word about Nanded itself. For, destiny brought the Tenth Sikh lord, guru Gobind Singhji, to spend not more than a month of his worldly journey here. Even during that short period of time, the Guru, as a volcano of creativity, so fine tuned the Khalsa in his last few days that it became the first & only corporate religion of the world, & complete in all aspects.

The great events that mark his last days are: One, exalting Sri Guru Granth Sahib, to the status of the Word Guru that places each Sikh into immanent protection of the Guru himself, making him deathless in defense of truth & justice, & two, putting an end to his own worldly journey, yes of his own volition.

This explains why the exalting of Sri Guru granth Sahib is called as “GURTA GADDI” in the Sikh tradition & the 2nd event is called “Parlokgaman” or heavenly journey of the Guru. These two events took place on October 5 & October 7-8, 1708, respectively.

Additionally, it was from Nanded that Gurujisent Banda Singh Bahadur as the first Jathedar of the Sikh Panth to Punjab to fight the Moghuls. It is he who shook the Moghul empire to its very foundations.

Another great importance of Nanded is that the sacred Godavari alias the Ganga of the South flows through this town & hence it was a great centre of spiritual quest even in earlier times.

For Sikhs,300 Saal Guru de Naal - the Tercentenary Celebrations of these 2 great events in 2008, will mean rededicating themselves to the Guru.

The Tercentenary Celebrations – 300 Saal Guru de Naal

The Sikhs have, in life and history, done everything they do in style. These tercentenary celebrations are no exception. These shall, therefore, reflect the same spirit & scale. Of the 20 million Sikhs all the world over, at least 2.5 million are expected to pay their homage to the sacred memory of Guru Gobind Singhji or the Tenth Nanak, on this occasion.

What it means is that one in every eight Sikhs shall visit Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded during these festivities. It will mean that an important new tourist attraction in India shall emerge on the tourism map of the world. It will no longer remain a small & sleepy place that it has so far remained.

Several projects of great proportions are therefore being undertaken to make these celebrations a signal success in keeping with the noble Sikh traditions. Not just that, it shall hopefully change the very face of this town. But mind you, it shall not just be a brick-and-mortar affair. That Nanded should pulsate with a new life ever afterwards is the endeavor underlying these celebrations. And besides it has to be a planned & coordinated effort to harmonize the spirit of Sikhism.

Obviously, it shall entail huge expenditure. While the Central & State governments are expected to contribute their mite, it shall mainly devolve upon the Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib Management to galvanize the world Sikhism to make maximum contributions to it, both in cash & kind, so as to live up to their high traditions. It will be like recreating another Amritsar or another Anandpur Sahib.

Let it also be recorded that Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib is one of the five takhats or centres of religious & spiritual power of the Sikh Panth. Of these 5 Takhats, 4 are related to the life & work of the Tenth Guru alone. It is therefore natural that Nanded should find a pride of place among them, for obvious reasons. Our total endeavor will be that it will really be so.

Jagriti Yatra Begins

At Ludhiana

On November 15TH 2007, began a unique yatra – Jagriti Yatra. Whilst spreading the teachings of the venerated Sikh Gurus, for the first time ever in history, the weapons of Sri Gobind Singhji will be showcased for ‘darshan’. The Jagriti Yatra will also carry ‘Teesri Shatabdi Samarpan Pustika’ a book that will compile ‘the worded faith’ of millions of devotees. Thereby immortalizing in ink, their feelings for the beloved guru.

The Yatra, in year’s span, will reach several places in India & the world. True to its name, the Jagriti Yatra will create an awakening imparting the message of One God and the welfare of the entire mankind, irrespective of religion, caste or creed.

Schedule

Baroda 06-Jul-2008 Rajkot 05-Jul-2008 Gandhidham 04-Jul-2008 Mahesana 03-Jul-2008 Ahmedabad 01-Jul-2008 Udaipur 29-Jun-2008 Bhilwara 28-Jun-2008 Jodhpur 27-Jun-2008 Beawar 26-Jun-2008 Ajmer 25-Jun-2008 Jaipur 22-Jun-2008 Bundi 21-Jun-2008 Kota 19-Jun-2008 Guna 18-Jun-2008 Sheopur 17-Jun-2008 Shivpuri 16-Jun-2008 Jhansi 15-Jun-2008 Gwalior 13-Jun-2008 Agra 11-Jun-2008 Bharatpur 09-Jun-2008 Alwar 07-Jun-2008 Mathura 06-Jun-2008 Etah 05-Jun-2008 Aligarh 04-Jun-2008 Faridabad 02-Jun-2008 Gurgaon 01-Jun-2008 Rajouri Garden 31-May-2008 Greater Kailash - 1 30-May-2008 Noida 29-May-2008 Ghaziabad 27-May-2008 Delhi 22-May-2008

Sonepat 21-May-2008 Jind 20-May-2008 Hissar 19-May-2008 Fatehabad 17-May-2008 Sirsa 15-May-2008 Hanumangarh 13-May-2008 Suratgarh 12-May-2008 Budha Johar 11-May-2008 Karanpur 10-May-2008 Sri Ganganagar 08-May-2008 Abohar 07-May-2008 Fazilka 06-May-2008 Mukhtasar 05-May-2008 Malaut 04-May-2008 Bhatinda 02-May-2008 Takhat Sri Dum Dumasahib, Talwandi Sabo 01-May-2008 Maansa 30-Apr-2008 Rampuraphul 29-Apr-2008 Jaito 28-Apr-2008 Faridkot 27-Apr-2008 Ferozpur 25-Apr-2008 Moga 23-Apr-2008 Zeera 22-Apr-2008 Harike 21-Apr-2008 Khumkaran 20-Apr-2008 Patti 19-Apr-2008 Khadoor Sahib 18-Apr-2008 Taran Taaran 17-Apr-2008 Jhabal 16-Apr-2008 Amritsar 13-Apr-2008 Baba Bakala 12-Apr-2008

Batala 11-Apr-2008 Dera Baba Nanak 10-Apr-2008 Gurdaspur 08-Apr-2008 Kathua 07-Apr-2008 Jammu 04-Apr-2008 Pathankot 03-Apr-2008 Mukerian 02-Apr-2008 Hoshiarpur 31-Mar-2008 Jalandhar 29-Mar-2008 Kapurthala 28-Mar-2008 Sultanpur Lodhi 27-Mar-2008 Phillaur 26-Mar-2008 Phagwara 25-Mar-2008 Nawan Shahr 24-Mar-2008 Una Sahib 23-Mar-2008 Anandpur Sahib 21-Mar-2008 Roop Nagar 20-Mar-2008 Khanna 19-Mar-2008 Ludhiana 16-Mar-2008 Jagraon 15-Mar-2008 Raikot 14-Mar-2008 Barnala 12-Mar-2008 Sangrur 10-Mar-2008 Nabha 09-Mar-2008 Patiala 07-Mar-2008 Rajpura 06-Mar-2008 Fatehgarh Sahib 04-Mar-2008 Mohali 03-Mar-2008 Chandigarh 01-Mar-2008 Bilaspur 29-Feb-2008 Mandi 28-Feb-2008

Shimla 27-Feb-2008 Solan 26-Feb-2008 Ambala 24-Feb-2008 Kurukshetra 22-Feb-2008 Kaithal 20-Feb-2008 Karnal 18-Feb-2008 Panipat 16-Feb-2008 Saharanpur 15-Feb-2008 Yamunanagar 13-Feb-2008 Paonta Sahib / Sirmour 12-Feb-2008 Dehradun 11-Feb-2008 Doiwala 10-Feb-2008 Haridwar 09-Feb-2008 Muzaffarpur 08-Feb-2008 Bijnor 07-Feb-2008 Meerut 05-Feb-2008 Rampur 04-Feb-2008 Rudrapur 02-Feb-2008 Nanak Mata Sahib 01-Feb-2008 Pilibhit 30-Jan-2008 Bareilly 28-Jan-2008 Shahjahanpur 27-Jan-2008 Kheri 25-Jan-2008 Sitapur 24-Jan-2008 Lucknow 23-Jan-2008 Kanpur 21-Jan-2008 Bareilly 20-Jan-2008 Allahabad 19-Jan-2008 Varanasi 18-Jan-2008 Faizabad 17-Jan-2008 Gorakhpur 16-Jan-2008

Patna 13-Jan-2008 Kodarmah 12-Jan-2008 Hazaribaug 11-Jan-2008 Ramgarh 10-Jan-2008 Chass 09-Jan-2008 Dhanbad 08-Jan-2008 Asansol 07-Jan-2008 Durgapur 06-Jan-2008 Kolkatta 03-Jan-2008 Kharagpur 02-Jan-2008 Tatanagar 30-Dec-2007 Ranchi 28-Dec-2007 Rourkela 26-Dec-2007 Talcher 25-Dec-2007 Bhubaneshwar 24-Dec-2007 Sambalpur 23-Dec-2007 Raigarh 22-Dec-2007 Korba 21-Dec-2007 Bilaspur 20-Dec-2007 Raipur 18-Dec-2007 Bhillai 17-Dec-2007 Durg 16-Dec-2007 Raj Nandgaon 15-Dec-2007 Dongargarh 14-Dec-2007 Gondia 13-Dec-2007 Nagpur 11-Dec-2007 Jabalpur 09-Dec-2007 Sagar 08-Dec-2007 Bhopal 06-Dec-2007 Ujjain 05-Dec-2007 Ratlam 04-Dec-2007

Indore 02-Dec-2007 Barwah 01-Dec-2007 Burhanpur 30-Nov-2007 Dhulia 29-Nov-2007 Nasik 28-Nov-2007 Ulhasnagar 27-Nov-2007 Mumbai 23-Nov-2007 New Bombay 21-Nov-2007 Pune 19-Nov-2007 Ahmednagar 18-Nov-2007 Aurangabad 16-Nov-2007 Nanded 15-Nov-2007

Unprecedented Response

In a recent interview with the Tribune, Dr. P.S. Pasricha, former DGP of Maharashtra amd president of Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded explained,

“For the first time in Sikh history, the weapons of Guru Gobind Singh and other Sikh martyrs have come out of the sanctum sanctorum of Hazur Sahib. These weapons are being taken for darshan in a specially designed rath along with a hand written bir of Guru Granth Sahib. The yatra is aimed at spreading the message—of the equality of mankind and secularism. The Yatra has received an unprecedented response. It is planned for the yatra to go abroad as well."

"As it is attracting people from all faiths, it is achieving the task of national integration.” he added.

Parikrama to Accomodate 40,000 at the Same Time

At Hoshiarpur

More than 4 millions devotees, from around the globe, are expected to visit Nanded during October, 2008, for the two Tercentenaries:

Gurta Gaddi on October 30
Parlokgaman on November 3

Extensive plans, therefore, are under way for the redevelopment and beautification of the Gurdwara complex in Nanded. The entire complex is being redesigned to accommodate at least 40,000 devotees in the Parikrama at one time. To accomplish this, approximately, 300 families living around the Gurdwara, have had to be relocated.

Besides the Sachkhand Gurdwara complex redevelopment, the Gurdwara Board has also taken up the construction of Guru Granth Sahib Bhavan that can accommodate more than 4,000 devotees. Regular religious congregations, shabad kirtans, kathas, etc, will be held there.

A Museum of Sikh History is being built amid an 8 acre garden. An amphitheatre will also be constructed, where stae of the art electronic techniques (fountains that dance to the music while laser projections use the wall of water as a screen to enhance the teaching of the Gurus' philosophy.

This will be the first of its kind project not only in India but also in the entire sub-continent. Construction of new yatri bhavans are underway, promising a comfortable stay for devotees during their Yatra to Nanded.

Handwritten Sikh relics to be displayed in Jagriti Yatra

Guru's Weapons

In 1708, the sacred scripture of Sikhs Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was empowered with the status of Guru by the last Sikh Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh. The year 2008 marks the 300th year of its completion.

To mark this graceful occasion, the handwritten Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and other relics, along with medieval weapons (sastars) used by Guru Gobind Singh to fight against the oppressors in our country will be displayed in the Jagriti Yatra, to be held in the city on January 3.

The yatra will be completed in three phases distributed over a span of about six months.

The Yatra, which has started from Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded, Maharashtra where the weapons and the relics are preserved, will reach Kolkata on January 3. The yatra has already covered Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand. From West Bengal, it is scheduled to reach Bihar on January 13 putting an end to the first phase.

The second phase is slated to begin on January 16 from Bihar. It will then proceed to Amritsar. At a press meet to mark the anointment ceremony of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Sardar Saran Singh, Editor, Sikh Review, said, “Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is our spiritual leader, guide and philosopher.”

Guru Manyo Granth Jagriti Yatra is reaching Jamshedpur via Rachi from Nanded, Maharastra on 30th December 2007 in form of tourage of 4 decorated vehicles. It is going reach Jamshedpur via pardih NH33 highway. This yatra is going to be in Jamsedpur for 3 days and then move to West Bangal on January 2 via Ghatshila.

During this period, the Jagriti Yatra rath will be taken to various locations in Jamshedpur for paying the due respect by sikh community. This information was shared by Mr. Shailender Singh, Head, Central Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee. He also added that the route for Jagriti Yatra has been decided and it will be followed strictly. According to Mr. Singh Jagriti Yatra will reach Paridih from Ranchi at 11:45 a.m. and will have little stay at Jawahar Singh Factory and Dashmesh Bagh Gurudwara and reach Sant Kutia Gurudwara, Mango by 1 p.m.

A Guru Ka Langar will be served one and all on this occasion at Gurudwara Sant Kutia and at 2 p.m., the yatra will cross Mango Bridge and proceed further in form of Nagar Kirtan to Gurudwara Sakchi by 4 p.m. After reaching Sakchi Gurudwara, Kirtan darbar will be organised by Vir Khalsa Dal at 7 p.m. and Sangat will be allowed to have a look of Shastra and old testament of Guru Granth Saheb at Gurudwara premise. The yatra will have a break at night in Gurudwara premise.

On 31st December, a newly erected Gurdwara building will be inaugurated and Prakash of Hand Written Guru Granth Saheb will be performed and a kirtan durbar will be held. A Guru Ka Langar will be served one and all on this occasion at Gurudwara Sakchi during this period. After this, the Jagriti Yatra will proceed to Jemco, Azadbasti gurudwara, Manifit Gurudwara, Namda Basti Gurudwara via Kalimati Road and it will be respectfully received by Sikh community at respective places.

After this, the Jagriti Yatra will proceed to Station road Gurudwara after touching burmamines gurudwara, where sikh community and gurudwara committee from Kitadih, Bagbera, Sundarnagar and Parsudih will receive it with full gaitey and respect. After spending sometime there, the Jagriti Yatra will go to Gurdwara Jugsalai and then proceed to Gurudwara Bistupur at 3:00 p.m. It will reach Sonari Gurudwara by 4 p.m.

After finishing the procession at Sonari Gurudwara, the Jagriti Yatra, will proceed to Sakchi Gurudwara and will be there till 2 a.m. to be in Kirtan Darbar organised by Vir Khalsa Dal. During this period, Sangat will have the opportunity to have darshan of Shastra and Guru Granth Saheb.

Again, on the eve of new year on 1st January 2008, the Jagriti Yatra will proceed to Tualadugri Gurudwara and then lead to golmuri chowk via Kalimati road. The Sikh community and other respected organisation will honour the the Jagriti Yatra. After this the Jagriti Yatra proceeds to Telco Gurudwara. After this, the Jagriti Yatra will proceed to Tinplate Gurudwara and then proceed to Sitaramdera Gurudwara and take a break at Mango Gurudwara. The Jagriti Yatra will stay at Gurudwara Mango and the display of Shastras and Guru Granth will be done along with Kirtan darbar.

On 2nd January 2008, the Jagriti Yatra will proceed from Mango Gurudwara to Ghatshila Gurudwara and then proceed to Kharagpur and land at Kolkata on 3rd December 2008.

Rodrigues welcomes Guru Manyo Granth Jagriti Yatra

Joining the Sikh Sangat in welcoming Guru Manyo Granth Jagriti Yatra to the city to celebrate 300th Year of Guruta Gaddi Diwas, Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator S F Rodrigues today called upon the people to follow the doctrine and tenets of humanism, secularism and oneness of God, enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib. In a message, to mark this occasion, Gen(retd) Rodrigues said, Sri Guru Granth Sahib is one of our holiest scriptures, with sacred Vani of great gurus, saints and bhaktas from different faiths, sects and regions, giving a universal message of brotherhood, goodwill, mutual trust, peace and harmony. The teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib synthesize the spiritual and religious spirit of all religions and the values and ethos of our glorious past. It is saddening to observe that despite the message of social equality, harmonious living and the need to rise above prejudices of caste and creed preached and practised by our gurus and sages, our society is still be-set with the evils of discrimination and divisions of caste and status. It is time to search our conscience and work for creating a healthy environment, in which every human being can live with pride and dignity. Gen (retd) Rodrigues appealed to the people to celebrate the historic occasion of the 300th year of the Guruship of Guru Granth Sahib collectively, rising above petty considerations of caste, creed and religion, thus promoting emotional integration and strengthening the social fabric of our society.

Earlier Headlines/Schedule, Jagriti Yatra at Punjab

All is set for the entry of the Guru Manyo Granth Jagriti Yatra in Punjab on 1st March. It would be received into Punjab by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at Chandigarh tomorrow morning and would cover Punjab towns over eight weeks.

yatra would move from Mohali to Fatehgarh Sahib. From here, it would move towards Rajpura, Patiala, Nabha, Sangrur, Barnala, Rajkot, Jagraon and reach Ludhian on March 16. It would move on to Malerkotla on March 18, then to Khanna, Ropar. It would head for Anandpur Sahib to coincide its entry with the Hola Mahalla celebrations. On March 23 the yatra would move to Una Sahib, Nawanshahr, Phagwara, Phillaur, Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Mukerian, Pathankot, Jammu, Kathua, Gurdaspur and reach Dera Baba Nanak on April 30. It would go to Batala, Baba Bakala and finally reach Amritsar on April 13 on the occasion of the Baisakhi celebrations.