Thousands Of Sikhs Gather In SoCal To Mark Birth Anniversary Of 10th Guru
By Payal Kaur
POMONA, CA – Thousands of Sikhs along with members of many other communities gathered in Pomona, California, once again, on December 25thto commemorate the Prakash Utsav or birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.
Organized by the International Institute of Gurmat Studies (IIGS), this 358th birth anniversary began with the recitation of Asa Ki Vaar, which echoed both inside and outside theFairplex. Thousands enjoyed the melodious Kirtan, freshly-prepared, freefood cooked and served by members of the Sikhs sangat, and shops in the Khalsa Bazaar, which offered local vendors a platform to showcase their goods.
Attendee Manjit Bedi has been going to Darbar-E-Khalsa since its inception in 1986, and said she enjoys the opportunity to meet friends and family.
“Every year I enjoy listening to the variety of kirtan, meeting old friends and eating delicious chole bhature,”Bedi said. “It’s a wonderful day to honor our great Guru Sahib and the sacrifices he made for us. I look forward to it every year.”
A Day of Spiritual Connection and Community
The event offered visitors numerous opportunities to immerse themselves in Sikhs culture and spirituality. Youth groups from all the local Gurdwaras were empowered to perform kirtan and pay homage to the 10th Guru Sahib. Kirtan raagi jathas from across the globe took turns leading the congregation in beautiful renditions of Gurbani—much of which was written by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. This year, several raagi groups and over 150 children from various California gurdwaras participated, culminating in a remarkable joint performance by five different raagi jathas.
Youth group participant and volunteer JasNaam Singh reflected on how the event involves people of all generations and backgrounds.
“Something special about Darbar-E-Khalsa to me is the way it brings the whole Southern California community together,” Singh said. “The effort of parents bringing their kids to perform kirtan and gatka, having the opportunity to listen to ragi jathas from near and far, and of course, enjoying the wide variety of food make Darbar-E-Khalsa a welcoming and fruitful event.”
Service, Culture, and Celebration
The celebration extended beyond worship, as volunteers from Southern California gurdwaras came together to serve the community throughout the day. Their dedication highlighted the Sikhs values of service and unity.
The Khalsa Bazaar was another focal point, with vendors offering Sikh art, Punjabi clothing, jewelry, and books. Community outreach booths provided educational resources about Sikh initiatives, ensuring attendees could deepen their understanding of Sikhism.
Martial Arts and Festive Farewell
After the Kirtan program concluded with Ardaas (a prayer), the congregation moved outdoors for the Khalsa Parade and a captivating display of gatka, Sikhs martial arts. The crowd chanted inspiring slogans such as “Deg Teg Fateh” and “Bole So Nihal!” with passion and unity.
The event’s finale was marked by the respectful farewell of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, transported via helicopter, with reverence and prestige, marking the conclusion of the program.
Honoring a Visionary Legacy
The event is put on entirely by dozens of unpaid volunteers whose motivation is to give community members an opportunity to honor the contributions of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, together, attendee and volunteer Harvinder Kaur said.
“The entire team puts in a tremendous amount of hard work in putting the event together,” Kaur said. “It brings our whole community together in celebrating the lives of Dasam Pita and the Chaar Sahibzaade. It also gives everyone an opportunity to listen to wonderful kirtan all day long.”
Darbar-E-Khalsa originated 38 years ago through the vision of Capt. Kanwar Harbhajan Singh, affectionately known as “Bhapaji.” As a revolutionary thinker and the founder of IIGS, he aimed to create a space where Sikh Americans could gather to celebrate their heritage while honoring the teachings of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who founded the Khalsa in 1699.
“Bhapa Ji’s focus on Sikhs youth remains his lasting legacy,” said Bedi. “His vision has nurtured a thriving community that continues to come together in faith, service, and celebration.”
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