INSIDE THE GURU'S GATE - Anpere

In the evening of the gurpurub the congregation usually hosts invited ragi musicians
to perform kirtan for about six to seven hours in a row. Although people will be
coming and going throughout the evening, the gurdwara is rapidly filled with hundreds
of devotees of all ages at midnight. As the clock approaches the time of the
Guru’s birth all participants listen to the auspicious ending of Guru Granth Sahib, the
sound of which echoes from loudspeakers on the second floor. Simultaneously the
gurdwara employees start walking around with baskets to distribute huge amounts
of marigold petals to all devotees inside and outside the gurdwara. When the recitation
comes to a final completion the ragi performers immediately begin to sing the
composition Arti. On this occasion all participants pay extra attention to two verses of
the composition that are derived from Dasam Granth:
The great sages became pleased and received comfort in meditating on
the gods. The sacrifices are being performed, the Vedas are being recited
and for the removal of suffering, contemplation is being done together.
The tunes of various musical instruments like cymbals big and
small, trumpet, kettledrum and Rabab are being made harmonies.
Somewhere the Kinnars and Gandharvas are singing and somewhere
the Ganas, Yakshas and Apsaras are dancing.
With the sound of conches and gongs, they are causing the rain of
flowers [phulon ki barka]. Millions of gods fully decorated, are performing
arti and seeing Indra, they show intense devotion.Giving gifts and
performing circumambulation around Indra, they are applying the
frontal-mark of saffron and rice on their foreheads. In all the city of
gods, there is much excitement and the families of gods are singing
songs of feliciations. 664
When the musicians are singing the words “rain of flowers” in the beginning of the
second verse, all people gathered rush towards the Guru Granth Sahib, throwing
flower petals over the throne while loudly shouting with joy. In that moment the
crowd is moving forward like a wave at the utterance of the words and within a few
seconds the gurdwara virtually turns into a sea of saffron-colored flowers. The first
time I participated in the nocturnal celebration, one of the granthis said: “People are
expressing their happiness. From the last month Akhand Path has been going and they
are just happy for the blessing they got.” Afterwards the granthi will complete the
program by reading an Ardas, repeat the daily Hukam, and perform the Sukhasan
ceremony where the scripture is wrapped in robes and put to bed. Large amounts of
karah prashad are distributed to all visitors, who, at about 1.45 am, leave the gurdwara
664
The two verses are found on page 79 in Chandi Charitar of Dasam Granth. Here I have used
the translation by Kohli 2003: 184.
413
Published on www.anpere.net in May 2008