Anandpur Sahib Yatra Journal
S.S. Siri Ved Kaur Khalsa
Los Angeles CA, U.S.A.
4/9/99
In Anandpur! Wahe Guru (Great, indescribable wisdom). Awesome trip! A grueling 32 hours of travel time to Delhi; knowing that we were on the way to Anandpur made it endurable! Delhi - unbelievable pollution, smoke, taxi ride from hell, visiting Siri Singh Sahib ji at his house and seeing the Sword of the Khalsa for the first time, shopping, stopping at Dam Dama Sahib Gurdwara. Today was a 10-hour bus ride to Anandpur, filled with kirtan, napping, joyous greetings and welcomes by Khalsas all along the road to Anandpur, passing snacks and tea through windows, calling out Bole So Nihal, Sat Siri Akal... All in high spirits. Such a yatra! I am in the lap of my Guru and the heavens are singing and full of light and angels as Khalsa gathers by the tens of thousands to praise Guru Gobind Singh, to chant Wahe Guru, and to be part of this historic, timeless, powerful event.
4/10/99
Day 2 in Anandpur. Sadhana on the land where Guru Gobind Singh walked. Everyone was so in the bliss. Singing "Song of the Khalsa" and being in Anandpur Sahib, tears were everywhere. The only sound between meditations and yoga was the blissful cacophony of gurdwaras and tents of other groups doing Sukhmani Sahib, Jaap Sahib, Asa Di Var, Kirtan (sacred prayers and songs)... I can't describe the awe and amazing reality of this experience.
I've slept little and don't want to miss a thing. We went to Keshgarh Sahib Gurdwara today. The mass of people on the stairs leading to the entrance was so THICK, there was no way we could get through. So, I just plunged ahead, chanting Wahe Guru and a way opened before us. We made it up to the top in time to bow and receive saropas from Jethadar Manjit Singh with the others. Very blessed.
4/11/99
Now I will try to catch up on the last two days. On Sunday from the moment I was up I knew this was a special energy day. I led Jaap Sahib and Tav Prasad Swaye (sacred prayers). Wow. Guru Gobind Singh's presence in recitation of his bani was felt profoundly.
Much of the day was spent planning for the kirtan program that night at the Main Pandaal, a huge, huge temporary hall built for the Baisakhi festivities. I read in a newspaper article that it was 4 acres in size! The pandaal was filled to capacity, which I believe is about 100,000 people. We felt such complete joy in singing ... so uplifting and powerful. Many cries of Bole So Nihal (Speak, those who are happy) in the Pandaal. All were inspired. Spirits soaring. We decided to stay when we learned that nine ragi jethas would be on stage performing kirtan together, including Bhai Harbans Singh, Bhai Harjinder Singh, Sant Anoop Singh, and others. I have never experienced in kirtan what I experienced this night. The nine ragis sat together as a jetha, with all their jethas sitting behind them. Their voices together so full, sweet, haunting, echoing throughout the pandaal. The most awesome shabd was Shahay Shehen Shah Guru Gobind Singh... The entire sangat, countless thousands, singing with all heart and spirit in praise of Guru Gobind Singh. Oh wow... it is not wordable.
4/12/99
After two hours of sleep, I woke up at 2:30am to go to Keshgarh Sahib Gurdwara; we were hoping to have time and space there before the crowds set in. We got up there about 3:15am and already large crowds had assembled, whole families with small children walking up the hill for Guru's darshan (vision) and Asa Di Var. Asa Di Var was just starting as we sat down.
Then, I learn the kirtan programs this night are at both the pandaal and Keshgarh Sahib! The Miri Piri Academy jetha played to a crowd of 100,000 at the main pandaal. Evidently, they were so greatly received, with many cries of Bole So Nihal, that their time was extended.
4/13/99
At 9:30 this morning we all got into formation and marched into Anandpur Sahib with the intent to bow at Keshgarh Sahib. What an amazing sight we must have been! We were led by the Miri Piri students, with their gatka swords and swirling chakras, drums beating, cries of Sat Siri Akal and Wahe Guru Ji Ka Khalsa... being called out by the thousands and thousands of onlookers. Such a great energy! As we neared Keshgarh Sahib the crowds were nearly impenetrable. We held our sticks to form a barrier so we could stay together as a group. O my God. SO MANY PEOPLE, as far as you could see... an ocean of colorful turbans everywhere. It became so intense, we realized we could not proceed. We stopped for 15-20 minutes as the Miri Piri Academy students gave a gatka demonstration receiving cheers from the crowds. Then we proceeded on around and down the other way to return to our camp. I became energized by this experience, as grueling as it was!
It is such an oasis here! The camp (at Bhai Nand Lal School) is set back far enough from the city to be separated from the intense vibes and noise of crowds and masses. Very peaceful and cozy.
4/14/99
Wow, what a powerful, honorable, intense (and miserable!) day! Today we were to march to Keshgarh Sahib with the magnificent Siri Sahib (sword) made by S.S. Jot Singh Khalsa, to present it to Jethadar (head priest) Manjit Singh. We lined up at 7:00 am. I was right near the front of the yatra group in formation. The Palki (conveyance) with the sword was right in front of me, being carried by eight men. We were all led by the students from Miri Piri Academy. This time we had no drums or gatka. The experience and energy was focused, meditative, chanting Wahe Guru all the way. I think we all felt honored to be in the procession with the sword, and we also knew we would be meeting Siri Singh Sahib ji at Keshgarh Sahib and how intense the crowds would be. There was a sense of this being a "Great Day," an historic day, and we were a part of the history.
After a short while I was asked to help carry the Palki with the Sword of the Khalsa on it. Awesome! Right up front in between the two poles. I gave my stick to someone to carry for me and took my position. The Palki was much heavier than I had imagined. We went on, chanting Wahe Guru. As we neared the Gurdwara the masses were thicker and thicker. We left the Palki, and the sword in its case was now carried by six men, with us all around to help them get through. I retrieved my stick and kept close to the sword group. It all was so fast and so intense, making our way through a sardine-packed throng. There was a call, an instinct in me, to stay close and help the group get through. God, I was so focused! And all the flow and circumstance allowed for me to be right there. We climbed up a huge step, pushed through, and finally, unbelievably, made it into the upper Gurdwara where Guru Gobind Singh's shastras (weapons) are kept.
We were basically filling the Gurdwara, chanting and creating a space for the Siri Singh Sahib ji to enter and present the sword. I knew I had to be there. So I was right there when the sword was first opened and presented. A space was created for the sangat to enter and bow to the Guru, and hundreds of the sangat came rushing through. Still we were focused and intent on keeping the grace of the Gurdwara and a safe space for the Siri Singh Sahib.
Finally, the Siri Singh Sahib came in with all his security in a mass of people. The Siri Singh Sahib looked distressed to me, overcome (I thought) by the physical intensity of getting into the Gurdwara and what it took to bring him there. I thought he must also be so very moved to be there, to bow, for this historic and magnificent time and space. I kept focused on protecting him, even more so now that he was there and clearly the situation with the crowds was serious.
The energy in the Gurdwara was glorious! Magnificent! Awesome! We could tell that a cosmically great event was occurring. I wished I had the eyes to see and comprehend all that was actually taking place. On a cosmic scale, a shift occurred; not just a sword was being offered to Keshgarh Sahib. A sword was being offered to Guru Gobind Singh; the Khalsa was being delivered.
It came time to help the Siri Singh Sahib make his way out. I helped make the way for him. He went down to the lower open air Gurdwara to present the sword again to the Jethadar and also to address the sangat. I knew I must stay. We ended up sitting and standing in the harsh sun for what seemed like hours. I was OK, burning hot. I sat on the step right there using the shade from those standing. I don't know how long it was. A long time. Siri Singh Sahib Ji addressed the sangat and shortly after was ready to go. The crowd surged! I was ready for action with my bamboo stick! It was like a force had come into me. I knew exactly what to do and by the grace of Guru I was in exactly the right place; supposed to be there. The 50 feet or so to his exit down a flight of stairs was so intense! Physically intense but graceful. We were so forcefully pushing back the crowds, yet being so careful to not injure anyone. I kept checking to see where the Siri Singh Sahib ji was, how his guards were progressing in getting him through. It went pretty quickly. This was so physical, so spirited, so powerful... I think our auras must have been a glorious sight. I realized that I would not have the slightest hesitation to take harm upon myself, without a thought, to protect Siri Singh Sahib ji. I was so focused! And felt so honored to be there and to be able to serve in this way. My job done! Wahe Guru. It was such an exalted feeling... to be part of
such a historic event and to be so high in spirit. I felt like it was all just normal and I myself hadn't done anything so great, but had been part of and witness to a great event.
4/15/99
Today we left for Amritsar. The bus ride through the Punjab was beautiful. Neatly maintained farmlands stretching out for miles, so green, and much cleaner than other areas we have traveled through.
Our excitement grew as we entered the city of Amritsar. What a blissful first sight of the Golden Temple, the golden minarets peeping above the city buildings. We had a little bit of lungar and then went straight to the Golden Temple. I was in tears to bow and walk the perkarma (marble walkway around the Golden Temple) again, so beautiful, so radiant, so indescribably magnificent... and I am feeling so blessed, so totally blessed to be here in the lap of my Guru. When I first entered the Golden Temple the shabd (hymn) was just beginning: Hao Raheh Na Sakhaa Bin Dekhe Preetamaa... "I cannot live without the sight of my beloved... the tears are falling profusely from my eyes..." and the tears were coming. So much total joy to be here. Now I must sleep!
4/16/99
I am so awed and wonderstruck to BE here at the Golden Temple. I have to remind myself over and over that this is real, and I want to soak everything up. I want to lay upon the marble and melt into its divine vibrations, to bow and have my forehead never leave the sensation of that holy marble, ever. To immerse myself in the holy nectar tank and blend with the water and be flooded with all the grace, light, and divinity that permeates all the matter and even the air, every breath, of this sacred place/space. Dipping this afternoon, over and over, Wahe Guru, remembering names and faces, sending prayers for all those close to my heart, everyone I can possibly remember. God, I am so grateful for this incredible blessing, this blissful gift, to be here.
4/17/99
I knew the Golden Temple would be crowded but I could not even get in. The whole bridge over the nectar tank to the Golden Temple was filled with people sitting. So, I bowed right there and then walked around the perkarma and found a nice little spot calling my name to come and sit. So I did. Recited Japji (sacred prayer) and then felt like meditating a little. It was the strongest meditation I can recall in a long time. I did not want to leave the very peaceful space I was in. I could hear the kirtan, so beautiful and penetrating... voices and sounds all passing through me...and I was just still, tranquil, blessed. After some time I opened my eyes to see the Golden Temple before me, shining radiantly in the morning light, so glorious! It was hard to leave this space.
4/18/99
At the Golden Temple I wanted to take in everything, every visual detail of the gurdwara, the inlaid and painted walls, the steps leading up to the roof, the upstairs rooftop gurdwara, the feel of the marble, the feel of the gold, the smell and taste of the nectar water and prasad... Just take it all in, to always be able to access this within myself. We leave here at 4:00am tomorrow. So quickly this timeless time has passed!
M.S.S. Krishna Kaur Khalsa encouraged me to join her doing seva at the Guru Ram Das Lungar Hall. Just the little nudge I needed. So we went. I'd never been to the lungar hall before. It is huge! People are served continually throughout the day. They have a great system for serving so many people so quickly and gracefully.
I plan to get up early for last darshan at the Golden Temple. It is so hard to leave. This has been the most awesome two weeks of my life. I have been fully myself, completely in the lap of Guru. All has flowed so perfectly, so effortlessly. It is as though Guru has welcomed us home, keeping us in his loving embrace, taking care of every detail. I have felt this, sensed this, the entire trip, this feeling of being embraced, welcomed, taken care of. Wonderful.
4/19/99
Up at 2:00 am and straight to Darbar Sahib. As I walked the perkarma I had a sense of fullness - I have absorbed so much, and experienced so much - I knew I was OK to go. The only sad part is not knowing when I shall return again. As it was so early, it was so very peaceful. Sleeping bundles of humanity cozied up on the perkarma... the temple lit subtly, glowing sublimely... peaceful nectar waters, still, deep, calling... and, no loudspeakers on, quiet, peaceful, walk around the perkarma. Soaking in the peace, the healing vibration of Guru Ram Das, and the Nam that permeates every atom of this place. Walking home. Bowing, forehead pressed to marble, hands caressing the smooth marble where so countless many have bowed, have walked, and have been blessed. And, as I caressed and melted myself into the marble, I also felt embraced. This was the full feeling, complete, OK, blessed.
The train ride to Delhi was smooth and comfortable. I sat with others and we shared our experiences of the yatra, especially the day at Keshgarh Sahib when the Siri Singh Sahib presented the Sword of the Khalsa. Something S.S. Hari Simran Kaur Khalsa said struck so deeply; that the Siri Singh Sahib had told some people afterwards that while he was standing at the Guru, he was overcome, not with the physical intensity of the crowds as I had thought but with absolute awe (not his word, don't know his exact words) because all of the souls from the original Baisakhi with Guru Gobind Singh were present, the Five Beloved Ones, they were all there, and all those who had run away and said the Guru was crazy, they were all liberated in that moment.
The feeling of many is that this occasion at Keshgarh Sahib marked a magnificent turning point, the Siri Singh Sahib's work being complete, the Khalsa being delivered to Guru Gobind Singh, a change in the universe.. something magnificent on a cosmic scale... and, for whatever reason, we, a handful of souls, were blessed to be there, were supposed to be there, to witness, to facilitate, to document this pivotal point.