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1111 Arts ProjectArts ProjectArts ProjectArts Project

2222 Diwali Diwali Diwali Diwali

3333 Leeds Asian Leeds Asian Leeds Asian Leeds Asian

FestivalFestivalFestivalFestival

4444----5555 LeafletsLeafletsLeafletsLeaflets

6666 VolunteersVolunteersVolunteersVolunteers

We wish all our Service Users ,Partners and

Members a very Happy Diwali

Ripaljeet Kaur

A group of Sikh Elders ladies are enjoying a nice cup of tea�

Sikh Elders Service organised a project called ‘A Nice Cup of Tea’ at Ramgharia Sikh Centre starting on Tuesday 23rd September. A group of ladies, over 15 weeks will devise and make a piece of artwork on the theme of ‘Tea’, with all its meanings. The project includes trips to galleries and museums for inspirations and culminates in a celebratory event and exhibition/installation, bringing the groups together and taking their work to a wider public.

Edition 6

October 2011

Diwali or Dīpāvali is a significant festival in Sikhism, Hinduism and Jainism. It is also popularly known as the Festival of Lights. This year Diwali is on Wednesday, 26th October 2011.

I was reading the below article on the Wikipedia website and thought would put it in this quarters newsletter to show our readers the other significance of Diwali in the Sikhism.

MARTYRDOM OF BHAI MANI SINGH JI

(from Wikipedia) An important Sikh event associated with Diwali is the martyrdom of the elderly Sikh scholar and strategist Bhai Mani Singh in 1737. Bhai Mani Singh was the Granthi(keeper/reader of Sikh scripture) of Harmandir Sahib (popularly known as the Golden Temple). He transcribed the final version of Guru Granth Sahib ji dictated to him by Guru Gobind Singh in 1704.

Bhai Mani Singh assumed charge of Harmandir Sahib’s management in 1708. In 1737, he received permission from Zakariya Khan, the then Mughal governor of Punjab, to hold a religious gathering of the Khalsa for celebrating Bandi Chhorh

Diwas on the auspicious day of Diwali for a large tax of 5000 Rupees.

He expected to put together the required sum from contribution made by the Sikhs who would assemble that day. But on discovering Zakariya Khan's plot to kill the Sikhs during the gathering, he sent out messages warning them not to turn up for the meeting. As a result the tax could not be paid and Zakariya Khan ordered Bhai Mani Singh's execution at Lahore.

Ever since the Bandi Chhorh Diwas celebrated during Diwali is also commemorated the martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh. It is also believed that this event along with other Sikh martyrdoms gave further momentum to the Khalsa struggle for freedom and eventual success in establishing the Khalsa rule in the north of Delhi.

Chand Singh

Sikh Elders Service jointly with Community Development service did a stall at the Asian Mela on Sunday, 18

th September at Roundhay Park

Leeds. The aim was to promote the Sikh Elders Service and encourage volunteers to join the service. It was reasonably well attended given the unpredictable weather and mixture of sunny and down pour. There was variety of other stall holders with range of services, goods, and plenty of different types of food.

There were also live performances by Punjabi Singers and lots of entertainment for children as well. All in all a good day.

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