Thousands Attend Annual Darbar-e-Khalsa in Los Angeles

POMONA, Calif. — Thousands of Sikhs from across California descended upon the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds here to participate in Darbar-e-Khalsa and celebrate the 349th birthday of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Dec. 25.

The International Institute of Gurmat Studies hosted the morning and afternoon festivities at the Pomona Fairplex, which featured prayers, chants and a ceremonial send-off of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib by helicopter. Darbar-e-Khalsa is considered one of the largest gatherings of Sikhs in Southern California.

Attendees shuttled back and forth between the courtyard and main hall. Several booths lined the far edge of the courtyard area, where vendors such as Wallis State Bank, Covered California, and Sikh advocacy groups interacted with attendees. A langar area occupied the remainder of the courtyard space, where attendees were treated to free food and mingled.

Inside the main hall was where thousands of people entered throughout the day to pay respects to Sikhism’s religious text, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and participated in the Shabad Kirtan, where various youth groups, gurudwaras, and individuals performed chants and prayers to demonstrate how Guru Gobind Singh Ji inspired their respective lives.

Jagmohan Singh trekked from Bakersfield to Pomona to attend the Darbar-e-Khalsa festivities. It was his first-ever visit to the Khalsa event in Pomona. He said the event was the ideal venue for Sikhs from all over to connect with each other and celebrate community, togetherness, and purity.

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