I have read that he was actually born in April but the celebration takes place during the full moon in late fall, and so the date will change slightly from year to year.
The day is marked by visits to the gurdwara, singing of hymns, and firecrackers! The firecrackers haven't really stopped since Diwali, and the singing and prayers have been starting early in the morning--like 4:30 am. Between this celebration, wedding season and our closeness to a mosque, it is pretty much 24 hour action.
With the focus on Sikhism today, I thought it would be a good time to record a visit that UFV President and Vice Chancellor, Mark Evered. made to Punjabi University when he was here a couple of weeks ago. George accompanied Mark and Satwinder but I did not. We were in the midst of planning for the Awards Ceremony.
This unique building, Guru Gobind Singh Bhawan, is located on the university campus which is in Patiala, about 70 km southwest of Chandigarh.
I understand that the building houses many books about religion, and there is conference seating for large groups of people in this bright central dome area.
Mark is here presenting a gift to Dr. Avinder Chawla who is the Registrar at Punjabi U. We met Avinder not long after we arrived in India when Paul Wadhawan from Abbotsford was visiting here. Paul and Avinder went to college together and have remained friends.
The UFV Abbotsford delegation met Dr. Saroj Sharma. She is the curator of the Museum and Art Gallery that is on the campus.
The purpose of this facility is to promote the art and cultural heritage of the Punjab.
Mark is checking out a Doli and the description of it is in the photo below.
India is so rich in history, culture and spirituality. I have a sense that there is now more emphasis on preserving, displaying and sharing those features.
President Mark admiring the art work......
and examining the artifacts.
They also visited the library and saw some very old manuscripts.
Looking at the Holy Book with Mark is Prabhjot. She is connected with UFV and is here in the Punjab doing some research.
When we visited the Golden Temple some weeks ago, we learned that the Holy Book inside the temple is ceremoniously carried to its "bed" nightly and covered up. There is then a procession very early in the morning to return it to the temple to begin its day's work. It is treated very much like a person.
Mark's visit to Punjabi University also included a business meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Jaspal Singh.
George was surprised to see Professor Gurvinder Dhaliwal who had interviewed him several times on Sher-e-Punjab radio in Richmond. He is finishing some studies at Punjabi University.
Seated beside him is Prabhjot.
Dr. Jaspal Singh presented his guests with beautiful handmade traditional shawls.
Mark was quite impressed with the Vice Chancellor's vehicle with the insignia on it. He is probably trying to work something similar into his budget at UFV.
Looks like it was an interesting and productive visit.
