Sikh Bir Ras Kirtan Durbar 2008 held in UK

Saturday 8th March 2008 saw a slightly unusual event taking place in Birmingham, England. A rare occasion where the presence of the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib was venerated together with the Sri Guru Granth Sahib in England. The event followed on from the programme held by the Damdami Taksal at Guru Har Gobind Sahib Ji Gurudwara Tividale, Birmingham and the International Seminar on the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, Sacramento, America.

These events have taken place independently of each other and the primary driver has been to educate the masses on the importance of the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib. After many years whereby a unusual hate campaign has been directed towards the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, several individuals and organisations have decided to give befitting replies to these campaigns.

More importantly the Samprayadas who fully respect and accord the highest reverence to the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib are behind the two programmes in England. The Damdami Taksal and the Akali Nihangs who at several of their Gurudwaras undertake prakash of the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib together with the Sri Guru Granth Sahib are now ensuring this practice is more understood in the UK.

The two Takhts of Sikh Polity, Takht Patna Sahib and Takht Hazur Sahib also presently house both Granths and Hukumnama is taken from both Granths as well. In the presentation of GSMANN UK (at the International Seminar of the Sri Dasam Granth), the 300 Year History of the Dasam Granth he also showed how both Granths had been venerated in equal terms during the 18th and 19th Century.

In view of this Akali Nihang Sukha Singh was one the individuals who was presenting and showcasing the importance of the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib at the Bir Ras Kirtan Durbar 08. Bhai Sukha Singh who was recently given a Farla, one of the highest accolades to be given by the Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal Panjvah Takht Sahib, is a distinguished individual who at a young age has mastered the knowledge and wisdom of both Granths.

Akali Sukha Singh undertook a presentation of the Sri Dasam Granth whereby he described the banis from the Sri Dasam Granth -as well as the meaning, purpose and history behind them. Kirtan was undertaken by Bhai Kulwant Singh and Jatha and Bhai Harjinder Singh Lailee. Hukumnama was taken from Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Sri Dasam Granth as well.


The schedule was as follows at Gurdwara Baba Sang, Saint Pauls Road, High Street, Smethwick, West Midlands B66 1EE.

For Pictures, please visit: http://www.SriDasamGranth.com