Travel
Sikh-Kiwis Celebrate Sixth Anniversary of Takanini Gurdwara
by HARJINDER SINGH BASIALA
Sri Kalgidhar Gurdwara consists of a magnificent building housed on 8.6 acres of prime flat land in the Takanini suburb in Auckland.
This gurdwara has over 8000 regular attendees visit it over any given weekend, thus again making it the most visited place of worship in the country.
The foundation stone of this temple was laid by the traditional Punj Piaras in the presence of the then Prime Minister Helen Clark who was a regular visitor throughout her tenure as the leader of the nation. This project was completed in a record time of 2.5 years under the able leadership of Daljit Singh.
The building houses a modern stainless steel 220 sq. metre kitchen and a langar hall on the ground floor, with the main assembly hall on the first floor where a congregation in excess of 5000 can assemble and listen to kirtan in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib.
There is also a three bed-room accommodation for the granthi. And, outside is a field designed to cater to cricket, soccer, volleyball and kabbadi.
The official opening ceremony was held on the 13th of March, 2005 and, ever since, its annual anniversary is celebrated with great devotion around the middle of March. As of today, the total assets on this site are about $10 million and the New Zealand Sikh Society of Auckland, which is a registered charitable trust, manages the day to day operations.
Recently, the sixth anniversary was celebrated with great enthusiasm. The festivities spanned over a week with events planned for each day, culminating in a large function over the weekend where over 8000 people paid obeisance and partook langar.
A noted Sikh scholar, Bhai Pinderpal Singh, had specially come all the way from Punjab to interact with the community and share his knowledge. The in-house kirtan jatha led by Bhai Jeet Singh and Bhai Gurpreet Singh also regaled the audience with mesmerising kirtan.
After a week-long string of religious functions, the celebrations were culminated with games traditionally popular with Punjabis, such as kabbadi, soccer and volleyball. There was also a kabbadi competition for young children, as well as a musical chairs competition.
The annual kabbadi competition is soon finding a place on the international kabbadi circuit as two international teams, one from Australia and the other from Punjab had specially flown in to participate. The final trophy was won by the team from Punjab after beating the Australian team. The following local teams participated - Doaba Club, Kalgidhar Club, Sikh Sports Club, Des Punjab, Dashmesh Sports Club, and Waikato Sports club.
In the final match, the Sikh Sports Club Tauranga wrested the trophy by defeating Kalgidhar Sports Club Auckland in a nail biting 31-27 win.
In volleyball, the final was between Pukekohe Spikers and Kalgidhar Lions in which the team from Pukekohe won the trophy. In soccer, Massey United defeated Auckland lions and lifted the trophy.
Prabhjot Singh Kalkat was nominated as the best soccer player and Dilawar Singh Haripuria was declared the best kabadi player. A team of highly trained and specialist umpires and referees were on hand. The commentary was being done by Jarnail Singh Rahon from Hamilton and the well known Makhan Ali had been flown in specially from the subcontinent.
Well known Punjabi singer Mangal Singh Hathoor entertained the crowds from the stage. Another high point of the day was the breathtaking and fiery display of gatka by the group from Tauranga, referred to as Dashmesh Akhara. A 10-year-old boy named Harshbir Singh Samra was the shining star in the gatka performance and left the crowd speechless as he deftly controlled the sword and displayed his talent of using it.
Overall, it was a day surely etched in the memory of the Sikh community in New Zealand. This has been an excellent endeavour of the management committee to involve the young and old in the celebrations and give it an all-inclusive community feel to the whole show. It is pertinent to mention that many non-Sikhs also participated in the celebrations.
March 18, 2011