The first big endeavor was the 300th celebration of Vaisakhi (Birth of the Khalsa) about 300 families attended the free event sponsored by a few Sikh families. From a handful of Sikhs to over a hundred families our community has blossomed. Because of all the support of these families a spectacular Gurudwara was inaugurated in April of 2006. From 2006 to now we have formed a loyal and still growing
Sangat (the families) and we also have a place where anyone can go to pray or to find out more about the Sikh religion, or even just to see the building and learn about the culture. The Gurudwara is a place where all are welcome, it doesn’t matter what your faith is as long as you respect our traditions of removing your shoes and covering your head we are happy to invite everyone to see it. We encourage people to learn about the Sikh religion, because the Grand Rapids and Muskegon sangat confidently say, “We are Proud to be Sikhs.” The Gurudwara is a place where you can achieve spiritual bliss, we believe all good fortune and happiness comes from this. If in the back of your mind you’re wondering “what is the essence of Sikhism?” In my understanding it is that that god is one, Ik Onkar, no matter how you perceive him. The biggest and most important proof of this is the martyrdom of 9th Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who sacrificed himself to protect another religion, Hinduism. And in his footsteps followed his son the 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who sacrificed everything he had for these principles. But all of these great sacrifices stand on the shoulders of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 1st Guru and founder of Sikhism, without his simple and enlightened teachings there would be no Sikh religion. All of the 10 gurus live through a holy scripture, but not just a scripture, an 11th guru and a way of life, the teachings of all the gurus are in this holy scripture which gives us the guidance we need to make it across the ocean of this worldly life successfully.
