Santa Ana
California
Add an Article
Add an Event
Edit
Sikh Center of Orange County
The Sikh Center of Orange County is situated in a spacious building-2530, West Warner Avenue, Santa Ana (CA 95704) This building previously used as Church, was purchased by the trustees of the center and the Sikh Center (A Gurudwara) was started in April, 1990. A subcommittee of trustees helped by volunteers and few employees manages the center affairs.
The Center holds three regular congregations every week. There are two sessions one from 8 to 10 A.M and the other from 11.30 A.M. to 1.30 P.M. on every Sunday. A group of Ragis (singers) sing (do kirtan), accompanied by harmonium and other instruments, "Asa Di Var" the Morning Prayer and sacred hymns. Prayer by Head Priest follows this while all others stand with folded hands. After this is reading of a randomly selected stanza (hukamnama /Vaq) from Guru Granth Sahib and distribution of sweet pudding (prasad). On some days learned speakers explain the meaning of text of Guru Granth Sahib from selected chapters. Breakfast and then Lunch is offered by one or more of the families.
The third session is held every Friday evening from 7 P.M. onwards. This starts with recitation of evening prayer "Rehras"follwed by Kirtan. Towards the end, the whole congregation jointly recites the bedtime prayer (kirtan sohela). The day ends with Guru Granth Sahib being respectfully folded and taken to its resting place. Common Kitchen provides dinner funded by some devotee and all take meals together irrespective of cast, creed and religion or economic status.
Center also performs marriages as per Sikh rites and other ceremonies as desired by concerned parties. Birthdays of some Sikh Gurus and Baisakhi Festival are zealously celebrated. On these occasions ' Akhand Path'- 48-hour non-stop recital of complete " Guru Granth Sahib" is performed and the attendance of devotees is normally more than double.
Sunday School for teaching of Punjabi language and Sikh History and culture is run every Sunday from 11 A.M. to 1P.M. by volunteer teachers in the center. A huge library containing 4000 books in English and Punjabi on Sikh History and religion is a special feature of the center. It is open on every Sunday.
The Center holds three regular congregations every week. There are two sessions one from 8 to 10 A.M and the other from 11.30 A.M. to 1.30 P.M. on every Sunday. A group of Ragis (singers) sing (do kirtan), accompanied by harmonium and other instruments, "Asa Di Var" the Morning Prayer and sacred hymns. Prayer by Head Priest follows this while all others stand with folded hands. After this is reading of a randomly selected stanza (hukamnama /Vaq) from Guru Granth Sahib and distribution of sweet pudding (prasad). On some days learned speakers explain the meaning of text of Guru Granth Sahib from selected chapters. Breakfast and then Lunch is offered by one or more of the families.
The third session is held every Friday evening from 7 P.M. onwards. This starts with recitation of evening prayer "Rehras"follwed by Kirtan. Towards the end, the whole congregation jointly recites the bedtime prayer (kirtan sohela). The day ends with Guru Granth Sahib being respectfully folded and taken to its resting place. Common Kitchen provides dinner funded by some devotee and all take meals together irrespective of cast, creed and religion or economic status.
Center also performs marriages as per Sikh rites and other ceremonies as desired by concerned parties. Birthdays of some Sikh Gurus and Baisakhi Festival are zealously celebrated. On these occasions ' Akhand Path'- 48-hour non-stop recital of complete " Guru Granth Sahib" is performed and the attendance of devotees is normally more than double.
Sunday School for teaching of Punjabi language and Sikh History and culture is run every Sunday from 11 A.M. to 1P.M. by volunteer teachers in the center. A huge library containing 4000 books in English and Punjabi on Sikh History and religion is a special feature of the center. It is open on every Sunday.