Samabula Gurudwara set for inauguration
The Samabula Gurudwara (temple) on Ratu Mara Road, may well be a heritage site if Head Priest Preetam Singh Shokar has his way.
This is given the fact that it’s almost a century old and has stood the test of time.
This Sunday, March 31, will be another milestone for the temple. That’s when the remodelled temple, with five newly-installed domes from Amritsar, Punjab, the spiritual home of the Sikh faith, will be inaugurated.
Mr Shokar said such scenic architecture had never been assembled in Fiji.
Established in 1923, the temple bears the hard work and perseverance of devotees.
“As recalled by elderly Sikhs, the 1923 building was constructed with massive tenacity and will, since the Samabula location was overshadowed with hills, forests and soapstone,” he said.
The temple has some significant features as well. The Samabula Gurudwara has a well running underneath it, which serves as a water reservoir. “Given the mass of water running underneath the Gurudwara area, it is a blessing that the buildings have not sunk even an inch,” Mr Shokar said.
During water shortage crisis in the earlier decades, water was collected and used from the same well.”
As for the celebrations this Sunday, Mr Shokar says it will be a major one.
“It will feature a Nagar Kirtan, that is a lively parade of Sikh culture, religion and arts via Ono Street, Ratu Mara Road and up the front stairs of the Gurudwara,” he said.
Nagar Kirtan is a Sikh custom involving the processional singing of holy hymns throughout a community.
While practiced at any time, it is customary in the month of Visakhi (or Vaisakhi).
The official inauguration ceremony will include a multi-faith gathering.
Edited by Epineri Vula