PACHMI PARKASH - Global Sikh Studies

At 12 noon a meal from the free kitchen would be taken to Baba Ji’s hut. In the
afternoon they would bathe again and they go out for a ride on their horse and on
return they would sit outside and listen to prays of Rehras Sahib and Arthi with the
congregation that had gathered. The congregation would follow by singing Guru’s
words followed by religious discourse then from 9 to 11 pm Baba Ji would again go
to the river bank and sit in a deep meditative state in pure loving bliss.
Baba Ji’s meals in the evenings were always eaten with the saints and devotees, which
was a small meal with warm milk before resting for the night. Many a time they
would bring their bed out to under the night sky. Now this routine continued with a
1.30am start to their meditation continuing throughout the day and evening and night.
The beginning of celebrations at Hoti Camp
At the camp of Hoti there were two main celebrations which were celebrated; one was
Vaisakhi and the other the 10th of Assu which falls in September. The latter was the
day that Dhan Guru Nanak Ji Maharaj had left his physical form and returned back to
Lords abode (Sach Khand). These were the major celebrations apart from the Gurus
Birthdays (Gurupurabs), which were all celebrated so that devotees could meet and
bond from different areas. On these two days the congregation would come from far
away cities for a beautiful vision of Baba Karam Singh Ji Maharaj.
Now the first time the celebrations of the the Tenth was celebrated everything was
done by the Guide Regiment in Mardan and as news spread of these celebrations
many devotees made their way towards Hoti with many learned Scholars and Ragi’s
amongst them and it lasted three days.
At around 5am the congregation from Mardan had arrived to escort Baba Ji to the
open tent were the program was to be held, with great respect they took Baba Ji in a
throne and made their way to Mardan. This celebration was huge with all the roads
and street decorated with fresh scented flowers and coloured drapery and instrumental
bands playing in the procession. The streets were lined with many different people all
bearing gifts of sweets, fruits and flowers. Many devotees showered rose petals from
the roof tops over the procession and Baba Ji.
Baba Ji dismounted from the throne at a distance from the tent and with congregation
surrounding them they made their way by foot to Guru Maharaj Ji. Guru Granth Sahib
Ji Maharaj had been decorated in beautiful silks with sweet scented flowers
surrounding them. Sweet nectar rained from the heavens as the pray of Asa Di Var
was sung in raag. This open gathering was situated at the spot which use to be a
jungle, were the devotees of Mardan had found Baba ji in deep meditation when
searching for him.
Baba Ji bowed in respect to Guru Maharaj Ji with a small gift and then went and sat in
Guru Ji’s service doing chaur sahib.
The food had already been prepared with many beautiful dishes which were served to
all. Many people took food home for those who weren’t able to come whilst many
others who thought of themselves took extra home for themselves. The sheer huge
numbers of the congregation became worrying as the devotees in charge were unable
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