Kar sewa at Harimandir Sahib Amritsar
My late father Sdr Vas Dev Singh was affectionately addressed as 'Bhagat Ji' by his near and dear. So was addressed his brother late Sardar Inder Jit Singh and to be precise 'Chhote Bhagat Ji'. Both the brothers enjoyed their childhood under the strict eyes and control of their Bhua Bibi Kishoree Bai (the maternal grand mother of Late Sardar Hari Singh). My grandfather late Lala Bhagwan Dass was advised to refrain from non-vegetarian food and Alcohol so as to get the blessing of a son. After the birth of his first son ie my father Sardar Vas Dev Singh in 1919, his near and dear encouraged him to resort to the debarred food. As the story is narrated to me by grandmother and confirmed by many of my older generation people that Lala Bhagwan Dass fell sick immediately after intake of non-veg food and after a brief period of about one month left for his heavenly abode. As the children grew up and followed the tradition of restraining the non-veg food through their life time, most of their kith addressed them as 'Bhagat'. In my family we have still the tradition of eating only vegetarian food.
I would like to mention it over here that meat eating has been a taboo with us. In the family of Sdr Vas Dev Singh, no meat was ever served in the marriages of his daughters, even if there was a lot of pressures from the boys side. All my sisters and me have been blessed with a son except in one case we served non-veg food on the eve of marriage. Incidentally she was blessed only one issue ie a girl.
And Sdr Inder Jit Singh's two daughters, non-veg food was served at the time of marriage, they were only blessed with daughters. At the marriage of his first son Tarlochan Singh, again non-vegetarian food was served and again two daughters were blessed to him. after this the other brothers decided not to have non-veg food and are blessed with two sons each.There is no scientific reasons for all this, I am only trying to figure out the facts though.
I would like to mention it over here that meat eating has been a taboo with us. In the family of Sdr Vas Dev Singh, no meat was ever served in the marriages of his daughters, even if there was a lot of pressures from the boys side. All my sisters and me have been blessed with a son except in one case we served non-veg food on the eve of marriage. Incidentally she was blessed only one issue ie a girl.
And Sdr Inder Jit Singh's two daughters, non-veg food was served at the time of marriage, they were only blessed with daughters. At the marriage of his first son Tarlochan Singh, again non-vegetarian food was served and again two daughters were blessed to him. after this the other brothers decided not to have non-veg food and are blessed with two sons each.There is no scientific reasons for all this, I am only trying to figure out the facts though.
Sh Vas Dev Singh 1919-1997
At the beginning of the year 1923 one youth committed suicide at the Sarovar. His body went deep inside and got struck in the silt at the bottom. It was during this time that Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee decided of performing the Kar Sewa.
On Sunday 17th June 1923 the sewa was started with the five beloved one’s heading a Nagar Kirtan which started from Pipli Sahib. After performing Ardaas at Har Ki Pauri, Five Golden Shovels along with five silvers vessels were carried on the head by the five beloved one’s.
Darbar Sahib with Clock Tower under construction
ca. 1860's, albumen print, SSB Collection
On Sunday 17th June 1923 the sewa was started with the five beloved one’s heading a Nagar Kirtan which started from Pipli Sahib. After performing Ardaas at Har Ki Pauri, Five Golden Shovels along with five silvers vessels were carried on the head by the five beloved one’s.
After which the entire Sikh community consisting of common people, intellectuals, Ex rulers, performed the Sewa, with devotion. The entire gathering exceeded to almost six lac’s.
Bibi Kishoree Bai undertook this pilgrimage along with Bibi Kesar Devi, two children Vas Dev Singh Nad Inder Jit Singh to participate in the 'Kar Sewa' in 1923. Sdr Vas Dev Singh often told me how enjoyful was the first 'Kar Sewa' when he as growing kid along with his mom, aunt and toddler brother undertook it with great enthusiasm.
About fifty years later in 1973 SGPC passed on the resolution of performing the Sewa at the Sarovar , responsibility of which was given to Baba Jiwan Singh Ji. On Saturday 31st March 1973 under the guidance of the Five beloved one’s Nagar Kirtan started from Gurdwara “Shaheed Baba Deep Singh”. Sewa at the Sarovar started after ardaas was performed by the Five beloved one’s, who went down the Sarovar with Five Golden Shovels and five silver vessel’s and initiated the Kar Sewa. In this Sewa nearly ten lac’s of people participated. My dad was very excited and was ever waiting to join the same which he ultimately did. It was at this time that he remembered the first 'Kar Sewa'.
In the year 1984 on 4th, 5th, 6th June operation Blue Star was conducted at Harmandir Sahib during which the dead bodies and blood of various Sikh martyrs including women and the children’s fell into the Sarovar thus making it un-sacred and dirty. Therefore a decision was taken by the five beloved to perform Sewa at Sarovar ,responsibility of which was given to Baba Kharag Singh and his descendent Baba Darshan Singh. On 12th October at about 12.0 Clock in the afternoon Sewa started with the help of five Golden shovels and five Silver vessels. All the people including the women and the children’s performed the Sewa by removing the silt with the help of vessels and even with the help of their own hands. In this Sewa people from all over the world participated included the Hindus and the Muslims. After 1984 the social as well as political situation in the entire state of Punjab went through lot of disturbance. The Harmandir Sahib complex also faced some problems. Due to this need was felt to perform Sewa here. Therefore the intellectuals who were already participating in the sewa of the Akal Takhat Sahib performed Sewa. In this Sewa again people from the entire city of Amritsar and the entire world participated He was thus three-time-lucky when he participated in May 1988 'Kar Sewa'.
When the Kar Sewa for the construction of Savorer at Bangla Sahib Gurdwara New Delhi was being performed in 1977, my Dad emphasized again to participate. So in 1979, My dad, me, Harvinder and Shivpreet all went to join hands for doing our bit in the construction of Savorer.
He felt proud to see all of us joining hands for performing an act of rare opportunity. Kar Sewa reflects the serving nature of the community and it strengthens the unity among people. It creates an awareness among the people regarding the selfless service. Time from the starting period till now many times Kar Sewa has been performed at Harmandir Sahib. Sdr Vas Dev Singh guided us to learn humility by indulging in this act of selfless service for mankind, by shredding our ego, proud, status or wealth.
To be continued and edited ...
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