Medford, 11th Jan, 2004. It was a ceremony fit for a King. Filled with excitement to the brim, beaming with pride unimaginable, and emotions overflowing, hundreds of Sikhs gathered at the opening ceremony of the new premises of Gurdwara Sahib Medford and to give a splendid welcome to the Swari of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj as the Holy Book entered the shrine to the showers of thousands of rose petals.
The Sangat, which had waited impatiently almost one year for the $ 1.5 Million Gurdwara to be ready, began pouring in as early as 8am. One hour before the opening, the entire car park was full and many had to park in the neighbouring lots. It seemed as if the Khalsa Fauj had taken over the city.
The sewadars and children especially looked splendid with their Khalsa Banas and saffron Kamarkasas.
One could feel the excitement of a new Gurdwara, the joy of a new Guru Ghar and the satisfaction of finally having a permanent Ashram on virtually everyone’s face.
The ceremony, which was held in the langgar hall on the ground floor, began with an Ardas by Bhai Karminder Singh Ji at 10 am.
The stage secretary, Sardar Raghbir Singh then called upon the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gurdwara, Sardar Bachittar Singh Sodhi to present the opening ceremony paraphernalia and ribbon cutting material to the Gurdwara President, Sardar Jaspal Singh Pabla.
Sardar Japsal Singh Pabla cut the ribbon, thus declaring open the Gurdwara on behalf of the Sangat to a roar of Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal. The Guru Nanak Darbar Kirteni Jatha, comprised entirely of children and youth then led the sangat to sing Charan Chalo Marag Gobind, Mera Ghar Baneya and other shabads. The shabad singing sangat then lined on both sides of a red carpet to welcome three Saroops of Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj.
Soon, the entire path of the Swaris was covered with rose petals. Next, the entire procession and swaris filled into the 5,500 square feet main darbar hall. There, the Kirteni Jatha of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbarwas singing Deh Shiva Bar Mohe Ehey. The Sangat filled into the darbar hall, and the Swari of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was placed in full style and splendor in the 54 square feet marble and granite palki, the pride of Gurudwara.
An arambhak ardas followed with resounding Jaikaras - 16 in all - one each by the junior pyares, nishan sahib bearers and senior pyares, and two by the ardasia - Bhai Karminder Singh. After the hukumnama was read out, the sangat took a full half hour to bow their heads one by one and take their seats in the sangat. 15 children and youths then sang various shabads for an hour. Bhai Karminder Singh’s Jatha then did Arti Kirten for an hour.
The Diwaan ended at 1.30 pm with an Ardas. As a token of appreciation for the sewa of Bhai Karminder Singh in the building of this new Gurdwara premises, Gurdwara President, Jaspal Singh Pabla presented a siropao to Bhai Ji, who in turn dedicated the siropao to the entire sangat.
Langar was served at 2 pm. Akand path was held in conjunction with the opening on the 16th, 17th and 18th of January.