Happy Gurpurab

ਸ੍ਰੀ ਗੁਰੂ ਰਾਮਦਾਸ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ ਪੁਰਬ ਦੀਆਂ ਲਖ - ਲਖ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ 

Wishing one and all on the auspicious occasion of the birthday of Guru Ramdas ji.

 Guru Ramdas ji  was the fourth Guru of the Sikhism. He was planner and creator of the township of Ramdaspur which became the Sikh holy city of Amritsar. He founded it in 1574 on land he bought for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. Earlier Guru Ram Das had begun building Santokhsar Sarovar, near the village of Sultanwind in 1564 (according to one source in 1570). In 1574, Guru Ram Das built his residence and moved to the new place. At that time, it was known as Guru Da Chakk. (Later, it came to be known as Chakk Ram Das). In Amritsar, he designed the gurdwara Harmandir Sahib, which translates as "The Abode of God" also known as the Golden Temple.

He was the author of Laava, the four hymns of the Sikh Marriage Rites. In all Guru Ramdas ji composed 688 hymns which are part of the Guru Granth Sahib ji. and were introduced in the Adi Granth by his son and successor Guru Arjan Dev ji.

Come and celebrate at the Golden Temple, light the candles at deepmala in evening and view the fireworks. 

Mural paintings inside the Golden Temple

The Mural paintings on the walls of the Golden temple show a characteristic pattern used then. The paintings usually depict animals, flowers, some human figures and and a strip bordering the paintings. The paintings are now covered on the walls by glass for protection.

Sewa at the Golden Temple daily!

Daily in the afternoon, sewadars and devotees fold up their sleeves and wash the inside and outside parikarmas of the Golden Temple. No one is bothered about their clothes being drenched with water, such is their devotion. Some people fill up buckets from the sarover and pass on to people who throw that water on the area to be cleaned. Others come with brooms and big wipers and just wipe the area clean. This happens daily without fail and helps keep the gurudwara neat and clean even with a countless footfall.

Terror unleashed by mother nature in Uttarakhand

Our hearts go out for the thousands of people stuck in Uttarakhand calamity affected areas and thousands of those who have eyes laid out in search of their loved ones stuck out there. Its a tragedy beyond words.
We hope and pray that, all the people who are still waiting to be rescued in and near Hemkund Sahib, Joshimath, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamnotri, return back as soon as possible. With rains predicted for monday, these are testing times for everyone as who are stuck face survival threat against cold , hunger, no shelter, and more rains ahead. Those in the rescue teams have a race against time.
Waheguru Mehr karo!!

Advance bookings OPEN for the Holiday Season ahead!

As we near the summer holidays...we expect busy and houseful days. Kindly confirm your bookings in advance. Please contact the following for the same.

Tanmeet Singh +9195600 90200

www.gurjeetguesthouse.com

Shopping in Amritsar!!

 

THINGS TO SHOP IN THE MARKETS OF AMRITSAR

The traditional clothing specially for women which includes patiala salwar and other dress material can be bought at pocket friendly rates from the different bazaars (specially the Kapda bazaar ) in the Hall Gate near the Golden Temple.


One can buy Punjabi Juttis (shoes), bangles and other trinkets which go really well with the punjabi traditional dresses.
The best woolens, shawls, sweaters, sweater dresses and mufflers are available in Amritsar’s Hall bazaar.
Hand-woven carpets, blankets can also be purchased here.
Dry fruits, Jams, jellies and pickles of Punjab are famous. Also "Papad" is a thing not to be missed.
For gold ornaments and sandalwood carvings , one must head to the Guru Bazaar.

*February Special*
20% discount on internet bookings
Contact: tanmeetsingh@gurjeetguesthouse.com

Hukumnama 30th September, 2011

ਰਾਗੁ ਧਨਾਸਿਰੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੩ ਘਰੁ ੪ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ਹਮ ਭੀਖਕ ਭੇਖਾਰੀ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੂ ਨਿਜ ਪਤਿ ਹੈ ਦਾਤਾ ॥ਹੋਹੁ ਦੈਆਲ ਨਾਮੁ ਦੇਹੁ ਮੰਗਤ ਜਨ ਕੰਉ ਸਦਾ ਰਹਉ ਰੰਗਿ ਰਾਤਾ ॥੧॥ਹੰਉ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੈ ਜਾਉ ਸਾਚੇ ਤੇਰੇ ਨਾਮ ਵਿਟਹੁ ॥ਕਰਣ ਕਾਰਣ ਸਭਨਾ ਕਾ ਏਕੋ ਅਵਰੁ ਨ ਦੂਜਾ ਕੋਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਬਹੁਤੇ ਫੇਰ ਪਏ ਕਿਰਪਨ ਕਉ ਅਬ ਕਿਛੁ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕੀਜੈ ॥ਹੋਹੁ ਦਇਆਲ ਦਰਸਨੁ ਦੇਹੁ ਅਪੁਨਾ ਐਸੀ ਬਖਸ ਕਰੀਜੈ ॥੨॥ਭਨਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਭਰਮ ਪਟ ਖੂਲ੍ਹ੍ਹੇ ਗੁਰ ਪਰਸਾਦੀ ਜਾਨਿਆ ॥ਸਾਚੀ ਲਿਵ ਲਾਗੀ ਹੈ ਭੀਤਰਿ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਸਿਉ ਮਨੁ ਮਾਨਿਆ ॥੩॥੧॥੯॥

रागु धनासिरी महला ३ घरु ४ੴ सतिगुर प्रसादि ॥हम भीखक भेखारी तेरे तू निज पति है दाता ॥होहु दैआल नामु देहु मंगत जन कंउ सदा रहउ रंगि राता ॥१॥हंउ बलिहारै जाउ साचे तेरे नाम विटहु ॥करण कारण सभना का एको अवरु न दूजा कोई ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥बहुते फेर पए किरपन कउ अब किछु किरपा कीजै ॥होहु दइआल दरसनु देहु अपुना ऐसी बखस करीजै ॥२॥भनति नानक भरम पट खूल्हे गुर परसादी जानिआ ॥साची लिव लागी है भीतरि सतिगुर सिउ मनु मानिआ ॥३॥१॥९॥

One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:I am just a poor beggar of Yours; You are Your Own Lord Master, You are the Great Giver.Be Merciful, and bless me, a humble beggar, with Your Name, so that I may forever remain imbued with Your Love. ||1||I am a sacrifice to Your Name, O True Lord.The One Lord is the Cause of causes; there is no other at all. ||1||Pause||I was wretched; I wandered through so many cycles of reincarnation. Now, Lord, please bless me with Your Grace.Be merciful, and grant me the Blessed Vision of Your Darshan; please grant me such a gift. ||2||Prays Nanak, the shutters of doubt have been opened wide; by Guru's Grace, I have come to know the Lord.I am filled to overflowing with true love; my mind is pleased and appeased by the True Guru. ||3||1||9||

Hukumnama 29th September, 2011 (from Harmandir Sahib)

ਟੋਡੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੫ ॥ਹਰਿ ਬਿਸਰਤ ਸਦਾ ਖੁਆਰੀ ॥ਤਾ ਕਉ ਧੋਖਾ ਕਹਾ ਬਿਆਪੈ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਓਟ ਤੁਹਾਰੀ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਬਿਨੁ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਜੋ ਜੀਵਨੁ ਬਲਨਾ ਸਰਪ ਜੈਸੇ ਅਰਜਾਰੀ ॥ਨਵ ਖੰਡਨ ਕੋ ਰਾਜੁ ਕਮਾਵੈ ਅੰਤਿ ਚਲੈਗੋ ਹਾਰੀ ॥੧॥ਗੁਣ ਨਿਧਾਨ ਗੁਣ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਗਾਏ ਜਾ ਕਉ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਧਾਰੀ ॥ਸੋ ਸੁਖੀਆ ਧੰਨੁ ਉਸੁ ਜਨਮਾ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਸੁ ਬਲਿਹਾਰੀ ॥੨॥੨॥

टोडी महला ५ ॥हरि बिसरत सदा खुआरी ॥ता कउ धोखा कहा बिआपै जा कउ ओट तुहारी ॥ रहाउ ॥बिनु सिमरन जो जीवनु बलना सरप जैसे अरजारी ॥नव खंडन को राजु कमावै अंति चलैगो हारी ॥१॥गुण निधान गुण तिन ही गाए जा कउ किरपा धारी ॥सो सुखीआ धंनु उसु जनमा नानक तिसु बलिहारी ॥२॥२॥

Todee, Fifth Mehl:Forgetting the Lord, one is ruined forever.How can anyone be deceived, who has Your Support, O Lord? ||Pause||Without meditating in remembrance on the Lord, life is like a burning fire, even if one lives long, like a snake.One may rule over the nine regions of the earth, but in the end, he shall have to depart, losing the game of life. ||1||He alone sings the Glorious Praises of the Lord, the treasure of virtue, upon whom the Lord showers His Grace.He is at peace, and his birth is blessed; Nanak is a sacrifice to him. ||2||2||

The holy Guru Granth Sahib ji

             The hand written "Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji" placed on the first floor of the Golden Temple.

Darshan Deori of The Golden Temple

  Darshani Deori is an arch that stands at the shore end of the bridge which takes to the main shrine of Shri Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple). The door frame of the Darshan Deori extends to 10 ft in height and 8.6 ft in breadth. The panes of the door are festooned in an artistic manner. The picture above is the view of the main shrine of the Golden Temple from the darshan deori and people in que to enter the shrine and pay their respects.

Encourage Use of Solar Energy

Solar Energy!! .... hmmm.... yes it was part of our science chapters in secondary school syllabii. But did you know that are people really using it or was just supposed to be read about and burried back into books?
Little did we know that a small city of India, Amritsar had few people really implementing the solar energy applications and benefitting in real life.
So Gurjeet guest house management applied brains and came out with conclusion that by using solar energy we could not only save on some electricity which is in great shortage these days  but also make use of abundant solar energy waiting to be used. We set up solar panels on our rooftop and our benefitting in great way. I think we should encourage all to head towards these renewable sources of energy before and save on other non renewable sources which are running short in supply .
According to Economic times, even US is showing keen interest to promote use of  renewable sources of energy and US Commercial Counselor at US Embassy, New Delhi said that the American firms are ready to set up units in partnership with industries in Punjab and in other parts of India. 

World Cup Cricket Champions 2011

Congratulations to the Indian Cricket Team for winning the Cricket World Cup 2011. We are very proud of  you!!

Congratulations to the Indian Cricket team 2011!!

We, at Gurjeet guest house, give our heartiest congratulations to our "men in blue", our Indian cricket team. Winning the crucial match against Pakistan today at Mohali, you (the Indian team) have made us proud of our players and also shown  your unquestionable ability to win the World Cup 2011. We wish you the best of luck and hope you make our dreams come true of bringing the World cup home this 2011. Your hardwork will surely pay dividends.
ALL THE BEST TO THE MEN IN BLUE!!

BAISAKHI CELEBRATIONS!!

The exuberant festival of Baisakhi is celebrated with great pomp and show specially in Punjab. Guru Amar Das had first institutionalized Baisakhi in 1567 as one of the special days when all Sikhs would gather to receive the guru's blessings at Goindwal. On this day in 1699, their tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, organized the order of the Khalsa. He discontinued the tradition of Gurus in Sikhism by declaring the Granth Sahib to be the eternal Guru of all Sikhs. It also marks the arrival of harvesting season and the beginning of the new year of Hindus.Baisakhi traditions and customs are followed with sincerity and devotion.
People visit the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) for to pay respects at the shrine and for the holy dip. Farmers come here, take blessings and then they start harvesting.
Baisakhi possessions are carried out in local neighbourhoods. People enjoy the joyous festive mood with teh energetic performances of bhangra and gidda to the beat of dhol.
Check this link to know about the significance of Baisakhi in different cultures and religions in India.
http://astrobix.com/festivals_of_india/vaisakhi/Vaisakhi_Festival.aspx

Welcome to Amritsar, Punjab on 14th April to be a part of the vibrant and colourful  festive celebrations. For a relaxed and comfortable stay in Amritsar with in peaceful surroundings next to the Golden Temple, plan your accommodation at the "Gurjeet Guest House".

How to reach Amritsar:

By Air: The airport at Amritsar named Raja Sani International Airport offers excellent services. The airport is well connected by other parts of the country by regular flights. Now Jet Airways, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Air India also offer flights to Amritsar from Delhi, Birmingham and London.
By Rail: Amritsar is directly connected to Delhi via rail route. It takes about 8 to 10 hours to reach Amritsar by train.
By Road: Grand Trunk Karnal Road connects Delhi to Amritsar. Regular buses are available from I.S.B.T. Delhi to Amritsar. You can choose from local, semi deluxe, deluxe and super deluxe buses offered by bus station.
If you want to reach Amritsar from places other than Delhi, then you have to change your bus at a midway destination and then board again in the corresponding bus, train or airplane.

All Prayers for the people of Japan

We at Gurjeet guest house have our hearts poured out for the the people of Japan. And we hope that after so much destruction, atleast they be saved from the possible nuclear disaster. The tsunami this time has struck very hard and has caused the worst possible effects. All our thoughts go out for them. God help them. Waheguru mer kare!!
http://cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/03/14/nhk.vo.quake.damage.friday.nhk

Hola Mohalla 2011

Holla Mohalla, is commemorated on the first day of the lunar month of Chet in the Nanakshahi calendar. The festival was started by the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh allowing the Sikhs to practice their military exercises and conduct mock battles. It is observed on the day after Holi and is celebrated across three days. The festival is largely celebrated in Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib towns in north-eastern Punjab. In 2011, Hola Mohalla officially starts on Monday, March 14th and concludes Sunday, March 20th.
It reminds the people of valour and defence preparedness, concepts dear to the Tenth Guru who was at that time defending the Sikhs from the attacks of the Mughal empire.
In Anandpur sahib,on this three-day grand festival, mock battles, exhibitions, display of weapons, etc., are held followed by kirtan, music and poetry competitions. The participants perform daring feats, such as Gatka (mock encounters with real weapons), tent pegging, bareback horse-riding, standing erect on two speeding horses and various other feats of bravery. On the last day a long procession, led by Panj Pyaras, starts from Takhat Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five Sikh religious seats, and passes through various important Gurdwaras like Qila Anandgarh, Lohgarh Sahib, Mata Jitoji and terminates at the Takhat (Keshgarh).