celebrating the life and legacy of sri guru nanak …...celebrating the life and legacy of sri guru...

Celebrating the life and legacy of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

7th - 11th August 2019University of Birmingham

Sikhi Sikhya Gur Vichar‘A Sikh is one who accepts and practices the Guru’s teachings’

Event Guide

www.UK550.co.uk #GuruNanak550 #UK550Please treat this booklet with respect.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was the founder and first Guru of the Sikhs.

He was born in 1469 in the Punjabi village of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib, not far from present day Lahore in Pakistan. His mother was Mata Tripta Ji, and his father Mehta Kalu Ji, who worked as an accountant. Guru Nanak Dev Ji had one sister five years his senior, called Nanaki. According to traditional accounts, when Guru Nanak Dev Ji enetered the world, the mist cleared and light scattered all around, the stars dissapeared and the darkness dispelled. The room was filled with joy and the laughter of the baby Guru. Throughout his life, Guru Nanak Dev Ji travelled far and wide sharing the message of the One True Creator who lives within and beyond all of creation.

The Sikh way of life is based on a heritage of teachings and practices initated and inspired by the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It offers humanity a response to the questions: ‘Where have we come from? Where are we going? What are we here to do?’. Over time, Sikhs have come to sum up this way of living with the threefold motto: ‘naam japo, kirat karo, vand ke chhako’. Put very simply, this means, pray, work, share’. It encourages people to live with a prayerful mind, hardworking hands and a generous heart.

Welcome to Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th Birth Anniversary Celebrations

The UK Sikh community welcomes you to celebrate the life and legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji on this historic occassion.

Over the course of this five-day immersive retreat, the beautiful Edgbaston campus of the world prestigious University of Birmingham has been transformed into a spiritual and learning hub in order to host the celebrations.

Above: Depiction of Guru Nanak Dev Ji with his two lifelong friends, Bhai Mardana Ji (a Muslim, left) and Bhai Bala Ji (a Hindu, right). Painting by 20th Century artist Sobha Singh.

Contents:

Introduction to Guru Nanak 3

Observing Gurudwara Etiquette 4

Darbar Sahib Schedule & Workshops 6

Symposium and Seminars 8

Transport 10

Shuttle Bus Service Timetable 12

Pedestrian Route Map 16

Chancellor’s Court Marquee Plan 18

Activities include:

• Prayer services & hymns

• Exhibitions

• Workshops and youth events

• Symposium and seminars

• Langar (vegetarian meals available to all for free)

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Before You Arrive please ensure you:

• Are dressed modestly & have some form of head covering, (scarves for both men and women are available should anyone forget)

• Do not have any form of meat, fish or eggs in your possession

• Are not under the influence or in possession of alcohol, nicotine or any other recreational drugs

Observing Gurudwara EtiquetteBefore entering the Darbar Sahib, please ensure you:

• Remove your shoes

• Wash your hands

• Have your head covered

On entering the Darbar Sahib:

• Walk up the aisle towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

• Devotees bow by touching their forehead on the floor before the Guru; visitors may remain standing and show respect in their own individual manner in which they feel comfortable – they may put their hands together or give a slight bow

• If you wish (this is not obligatory), you may put money in the donation box

• Sit on the floor facing Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, either cross-legged or in a comfortable position, ensuring that your feet are not pointed towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

While you are in the Darbar Sahib:

• Either the scripture will be recited, hymns may be sung, or sermons may be delivered.

• A volunteer will come over to offer you ‘parshad’, a sweet mixture of butter, flour, sugar, and water, which is distributed to all who visit the Guru’s abode, irrespective of caste or creed – it represents the sweet blessing of the Almighty, the hospitality of the Guru’s abode and the equality of all humanity.

• If you cup your hands in front of you, the volunteer will understand that you wish to recieve parshad; once you receive it in your cupped hands please ensure you eat it all, we do not waste it since it has been blessed – hence please do not accept it if you do not intend to finish it.

• If you do not wish to receive parshad, simply keep your hands folded together to indicate this; it is not disrespectful for visitors to decline receiving parshad.

At the University of Birmingham, we have been able to create a temporary Gurudwara within the marquees. A Gurudwara is the ‘gateway to the Guru’ or ‘Guru’s abode’. The Guru’s Darbar Sahib, or Guru’s court is where the sacred scripture, known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Eternal Guru of the Sikhs, is enthroned as the focal point for all prayer services.

For Sikhs, the same spiritual light which originated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji was passed through the nine successive human Gurus. In 1708, the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, passed this spiritual light to the Sacred Scripture and Eternal Guru, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, who is now the highest authority for all Sikhs.

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Day Time Activity DarbarWed7thAug

8am Arambh of Kirtan Main10am Arrival & Parkash of Guru Granth Sahib Ji Main10.45am Jap Ji Sahib Jaap Main3pm School Children’s Kirtan Darbar Main5pm Rehras Sahib in Kirtan Main5.45pm Youth Kirtan Darbar Main9.15pm Samapathi Main

Thurs8thAug

2.45am Parkash & Hukamnama Main3am Asa Di Var Main5am Sri Akhand Paath Sahib Arambh Main6am Parkash & Hukamnama Darbar 26.15 am Kirtan Darbar Darbar 29am Children’s Kirtan Darbar Darbar 210am Sukhmani Sahib Paath Darbar 212pm National Ladies Satsang Darbar 24.15pm So Dar Di Chonki Darbar 25pm Rehras Sahib Darbar 25.30pm Kirtan Darbar Darbar 210pm Samapathi Darbar 2

Fri9thAug

All Day Sri Akhand Paath Sahib Main4.45am Parkash & Hukamnama Darbar 25am Nitnem Darbar 26am Asa Di Var Darbar 28.15am Kirtan Darbar Darbar 22pm Mool Mantar Jaap Darbar 24pm So Dar Di Chonki Darbar 25pm Rehras Sahib Darbar 25.30pm Kirtan Darbar & Katha Darbar 210pm Samapathi Darbar 2

Darbar Sahib ScheduleDay Time Activity DarbarSat10thAug

5am Sri Akhand Paath Sahib Bhog Main5.30am Aarti Main6am Asa Di Var Main8am Kirtan Darbar Main9am Amrit Sanchar Darbar 23pm Kavi Darbar Main4.15pm So Dar Di Chonki Main5pm Rehras Sahib Main5.30pm Kirtan Darbar & Katha Main10pm Samapathi Main

Sun11thAug

3.45am Parkash & Hukamnama Main4am Nitnem Main5am Amritvela Simran Main6am Asa Di Var Main8.45am Kirtan Darbar & Katha Main3.30pm Final messages, Samapathi & Departure

of Guru Granth Sahib JiMain

Pre-Booked WorkshopsWed 7th Aug - Sat 10th Aug

Workshop Time RoomKirtan 10am - 1pm Marquee 4

7pm - 9pmTabla 2pm - 5pm LG33 / LG34 /

Dome7pm - 9pmPunjabi (Gurmukhi) 2pm - 5pm G33

7pm - 9pm

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Day Time Event Title RoomWed7thAug

5.45pm - 7pm How to Implement Oneness Across Sikh Organisations and Youth for Current and Future Generations

G30

Thurs8thAug

11am - 12pm Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Life and Legacy Opening Symposium

C-Block

12pm - 1pm The Significance of Guru Nanak’s Teachings Today

C-Block

2pm - 3pm Deep adaptation as a framework for meeting the challenges of climate breakdown

C-Block

3pm - 4pm Impact of Climate Change C-Block5pm - 6pm The Political Philosophy of Guru Nanak

Dev Ji and its Contemporary RelevanceC-Block

6.30pm - 8.30pm

AV Talk on Allegory, A Tapestry of Guru Nanak’s Travels

WG05

7pm - 8pm Langar – From Birmingham to Barcelona - a case study

C-Block

7pm - 8.30pm Implementing Faith Values through Social Activism, a Discussion

G30

Fri9thAug

10am - 12pm Organ Donation in Asian Communities WG1210am – 12pm Faith-Led Teachings in Health and

ParenthoodSeminar Room

11am - 12pm The younger generation, spirituality and social action

C-Block

12pm - 1pm Nishkam Sewa in action – from Wolverhampton to the world

C-Block

1pm - 3pm Faith-Led Teachings in Health and Parenthood

Seminar Room

1pm - 3pm How can faith values help tackle mental illness in our society?

WG12

2pm - 3pm Diversity and Leadership in Business C-Block3pm - 4pm Gender empowerment and diversity in

action in a corporate setting in the UKC-Block

Day Time Event Title RoomFri9thAug

4pm - 5.30pm AV Talk on Sikh Legacy in Pakistan WG054pm - 6pm Faith-Led Teachings in Health and

ParenthoodSeminar Room

4.30pm - 6pm Aligning Faith and Creative Expression G306.30pm - 8pm Youth Conversations: Interfaith

Dialogue with the FeastSenate Room

6.30pm - 8.30pm

Screening of 2 candid documentaries: Peering Soul and Peering Warrior

WG05

7pm - 8pm Nishkam Sewa (selfless service for Humanity) in action

C-Block

Sat10thAug

10am - 1pm Yoga (please bring your own mat) Dome12pm- 1pm Interfaith dialogue or cross-cultural

friendship? A personal reflectionC-Block

12pm - 2pm Sewa of the Mind Workshops Seminar Room

2pm - 3pm Facilitating women to break through the glass ceiling in the UK

C-Block

2.30pm - 3.30pm

Redefining Health and Well-Being through Gurmat

G30

3pm - 4pm The importance of Interfaith C-Block4pm - 5.30pm AV Talk on Allegory, A Tapestry of Guru

Nanak’s TravelsWG03

6pm - 8pm Applying the life and legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in India and Pakistan

C-Block

6.30pm - 8pm Social Media and Well-Being: Challenges and Solutions

G30

6.30pm - 8.30pm

Screening of 2 candid documentaries: Peering Soul and Peering Warrior

WG05

Sun11thAug

11am - 1.15pm

Values-Led Education & Closure of Symposium

C-Block

1pm - 2.30pm Food for thought Workshops WG053pm - 5pm Toxification: Documentary WG05

Symposium and Seminars

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Parking Free parking is available at Munrow Car Park. Please note spaces are limited. Follow directions to the University Station to reach this car park. Pay and display parking is also available in the North East Car Park opposite the North Gate entrance on Pritchatts Rd, Birmingham, B15 2SB

Train The University of Birmingham has its own on-campus railway station, known as University Station. The journey between the University Station and Birmingham New Street takes approximately eight minutes.

Bus National Express have recently changed a number of services in the South of the city including services that serve the main University of Birmingham campus. More detail on these changes can be found on their website. In total there are eight local services (1A, 61, 63, X64, 76, X20, X21, X22 ) that directly serve the University and also provide links to the City Centre, local train stations and residential areas including: Solihull, Kings Heath, Kings Norton, Harborne, Bearwood and Cotteridge.

Transport

From the south From the NorthSelly Oak (2 minutes)Kings Norton (7 minutes)Northfield (9 minutes)Barnt Green (16 minutes)Alvechurch (22 minutes)Bromsgrove (17 minutes)Redditch (27 minutes)

Wylde Green (27 minutes)Sutton Coldfield (30 minutes)Four Oaks (33 minutes)Blake Street (38 minutes)Shenstone (42 minutes)Lichfield City (47 minutes)

Park and Ride There are a number of local train stations that provide car parking and direct links to University Station.

Free Shuttle Service There will be a free shuttle bus service running to and from the university on a daily basis from the following locations:

Full shuttle schedule on the next few pages.

• Gurudwara Guru Har Rai Sahib Ji 126-128 High Street West Bromwich B70 6JW

• Gurudwara Baba Sang Ji 9 St Paul’s Rd, Smethwick B66 1EE

• Baba Deep Singh Shaheed Gurdwara 5 Oakland Rd, Birmingham B21 0NA

• Gurudwara Bebe Nanaki Ji 189 Rookery Rd, Birmingham B21 9PX

• Guru Ravidas Bhawan 1 Union Row, Handsworth, Birmingham B21 9EN

• Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha 18-20 Soho Rd, Birmingham B21 9BH

• Gurudwara Babe Ke (Park and Ride) 62 Soho Hill, Birmingham B19 1AA

• Nishkam High School (Park and Ride) Great King St North, Birmingham B19 2LF

Rou

te 1

Rou

te 2

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Stop First Bus Departure Time Last Bus

Guru Har Rai Gurudwara

08.00 Every hour thereafter 19.00

Gurudwara Baba Sang Ji


Baba Deep Singh Shaheed Gurdwara


Gurudwara Bebe Nanaki Ji


Guru Ravidas Bhawan 08.50 Every hour thereafter 19.50

Route 1 Guru Har Rai Gurudwara to University of Birmingham

Route 2 Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha to University of Birmingham

Return Journeys from University of Birmingham every 30 minutes, until 10pm


Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha

08.00 Every 30 minutes thereafter 19.00

Gurudwara Babe Ke (Park and Ride)


Nishkam High School (Park and Ride)


Shuttle Bus Service Timetable

Services from Wednesday 7th - Saturday 10th August

Stop Special Arambh & Bhog Pickup

Guru Har Rai Gurudwara 03.00

Gurudwara Baba Sang Ji 03.15

Baba Deep Singh Shaheed Gurdwara 03.30

Gurudwara Bebe Nanaki Ji 03.45

Guru Ravidas Bhawan 03.50



Return Journeys from University of Birmingham Additional return journey at 7am

Stop Special Arambh & Bhog Pickup

Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha 03.00

Gurudwara Babe Ke (Park and Ride) 03.05


03.10

Additional Services for Sri Akhand Paath Sahib Arambh & Bhogon Thursday 8th & Saturday 10th August

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Guru Har Rai Gurudwara


Gurudwara Baba Sang Ji


Baba Deep Singh Shaheed Gurdwara


Gurudwara Bebe Nanaki Ji


Guru Ravidas Bhawan 08.50 Every hour thereafter 14.50



Return Journeys from University of Birmingham every 30 minutes, until 6pm


Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha


Gurudwara Babe Ke (Park and Ride)




Services on Sunday 11th August

14 15

Guru Nanak Dev Ji 550th Birth Celebration Mega Celebration Event

Pedestrian Route Plan

University Station

Munrow Car Park (Free)

Multi Storey Car Park

Edgbaston Park Hotel

Arts BuildingGuru Ji Da Virsa Programme(Children)

Chancellors CourtGNNSJ 550th Event AreaAkhand PaatKirtan & langar

Aston Webb BuildingExhibition/Seminars/Workshops

Bournbrook Student Accommodation

Coach and Mini Bus Drop Off & Pick Up Point

Car Park

Arts Building

GNNSJ Events Area

Accommodation

Aston Webb

Train Station

Railway Route

Hotel Route

Car Park Route

Combined Route

University CentreGuru Ji Da Virsa Programme(Children)

Guru Nanak Dev Ji 550th Birth Celebration Mega Celebration Event

Pedestrian Route Plan

University Station

Munrow Car Park (Free)

Multi Storey Car Park

Edgbaston Park Hotel

Arts BuildingGuru Ji Da Virsa Programme(Children)

Chancellors CourtGNNSJ 550th Event AreaAkhand PaatKirtan & langar

Aston Webb BuildingExhibition/Seminars/Workshops

Bournbrook Student Accommodation

Coach and Mini Bus Drop Off & Pick Up Point

Car Park

Arts Building

GNNSJ Events Area

Accommodation

Aston Webb

Train Station

Railway Route

Hotel Route

Car Park Route

Combined Route

University CentreGuru Ji Da Virsa Programme(Children)

Pedestrian Route Map

16 17

Chancellor’s Court Marquee Plan

Dar

bar S

ahib

(Mai

n)Marquee 4

Shoe AreaWashrooms

Darbar

Sahib 2

Langar Hall

Kitchen

Guru Ji Da Virsa (Youth educational scheme)

Symposium and

Seminars

Exhibitions

Reception

Security

Car Park

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celebrating the life and legacy of sri guru nanak …...celebrating the life and legacy of sri guru...

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