by Mandeep Gaygoat
Today Sardhana was a must. Snatam Kaur was playing first, followed by Chardi Kala Jatha, who recited the Assa Di Vaar. It was sung in three stages today was the first.
Afterwards, we popped to Wholefoods in Santa Fe to pick up some groceries, Sangeet is making Aloo pronthe for dinner.
Back at Shanti phenji's house, Sangeet made aloo pronthe. Everybody enjoyed them and apparently the 'aloo pronthe party' is still being talked about!!
It was great fun for us all to share a meal together, chat and have much laughter!
by Mandeep Gaygoat
Early start, here in Espanola Sardhana starts at 3:40 am, at 4am there is a Kundalini yoga set, followed at 4:45 with chanting, the Gurdwara programme starts at 6am.
Afterwards we went back to the house where Shanti phenji had made a very tasty breakfast, it was great to see the whole family taking time out of their busy schedule to eat together. Something we should all take on board.
We then got ready and off to the Gurdwara, it so feels like we have been away on holiday and now come back home to Espanola. The sangat are amazing, so warm and friendly. After the programme where we were fortunate to hear kirtan by Chardi Kala Jatha, we had lungar. It was very nice talking to the sangat, they all came over said Fateh and gave us big hugs.
The children always participate in the programmes
For the evening we had planned to go to the cinema with Harijot Singh, to watch superman. Others were mentioning about a drum party. Which also sounded like fun.
As we had a few hours spare we drove to Tesuque village, an upmarket area outside Santa Fe. The houses are all adobe and looked huge.
Sangeet had been finding the desert heat during the day very intense so decided to take it easy at Shanti phenji's house. I met Harijot Singh at the Gurdwara. They were celebrating the birthday of Pritpal Singh. Harijot also mentioned the drum party, we agreed that we can go to the cinema any day. At the drum party we met Gurjot Singh and his wife, it was great to see them.
Later that night I dropped Gurjot and his wife home and Harijot at the Gurdwara. It was great catching up with everybody.
by Mandeep Gaygoat
After checking out of the motel we drove to the Gurdwara on Bogue Road.
Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Temple
2269 Bogue Road
Yuba City, CA 95993
Tel: (530) 671-9816
The Gurdwara is situated in a great location, in between orchards and is built in ten acres of land which was donated by a member of the local Sikh community.
After bowing before the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, we had lungar.
Afterwards we walked around the Gurdwara grounds outside and some elderly Sikh community members called us over and asked where we are from, what are we doing in Yuba, have we family in Yuba…the usual! Then a gentlemen called Gurbax Singh came over, he had brought hot samosas for all. As I was very full from lungar I declined and just had some coke. He went on to say ‘all the orchards do not mean we are rich we are also in debt…..’ not sure what brought this on, I think he thought we were interested in moving to Yuba City to start farming. He then asked me what caste am I?!?! (As Sikhs we do not believe in a caste system) I just replied saying I am a Sikh…he then guessed from my turban style that I was from East Africa (I am very proud to be from East Africa) I said yes and he gave me a lecture on Idi Amin!
The time spent with the elderly sangat members was very enjoyable – between them they gave us a positive and negative perspective on the farming business.
Sri Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Yuba City, California was opened in April 1980 and serves over 15,000 Sikhs in the area since the area is home to many Sikhs. 10 acres of land was donated by Chanchal S. Rai to construct the Gurdwara and a committee was formed. This Gurdwara is also 6 miles away from another Gurdwara in Yuba City on Tierra Buena Rd (we went there yesterday). The Gurdwara has a main Langar hall, and prayer hall and welcomes those from all faiths (or none!).
By the way, we received an email from our close sister, she mentioned that Chardi Kala Jatha will be doing Kirtan in Yuba city this weekend, something not to be missed!
As we were travelling to the Gurdwara we saw a couple of shops Delhi Fashions and Apna Bazaar. So after the Gurdwara we went to the shops. Delhi fashions, as you can imagine was an Indian clothes shop. Apna Bazaar was selling the usual Indian spices. From the bazaar we bought a kulfi lolly each. Mine was pistachio and Sangeet’s was cream of milk mmmmmm tasty!!!
We said our goodbyes to Yuba City and headed south on interstate 5 to Sacramento, the state capital of California.
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