SRI GURU RAVIDASS TEMPLE – PITTSBURG
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Ramesh Suman |
Sri Guru Ravidass Temple was opened in Pittsburg California in 1985. Founding members started working towards a goal of building our own Gurughar in California. Sidhu family, Jagur family, Bangar Family, Rattu family, Sheemar family, Dharma family, specifically Mr. O.P. Balley, Mr. Sohan Singh Damria, Mr. Hardev Singh, Mr. Mr. Gulzara Jagur, Mr. Deo Raj Sandhu, Mr. Sukhraj Chopra, Mr. Teja Singh, Late Mr. Karma Ram Dalel, late Mr. Lahori Ram, late Mr. Mulkh Raj, late Mr. Sansara Jagur, late Mr. Nasib Chand Jagur, Mr. Satya Pal Bangar and so many other families came together to help build this Gurughar.
Mr. Gulzara ' Charley' Jagur found a church for sale in Pittsburg. He negotiated the deal on behalf of the committee. He even donated his commission for this good cause.
I remember when Mr. Nasib Jagur, Mr. Satya Pal, Mr. Sansara Jagur, Mr. Moti Baru, Late Mrs. Bachani Dalel, Mrs. Seebo Dharama used to cook lungar for the sangat. It used to be a three day event. Most of the people came to Gurughar, worked on building repairs and cooked food. Children used to come and enjoy the festivities while the parents worked tirelessly to start this Gurughar. It took a few years to get this Gurughar ready for Sangat.
Mr. Moti Baru is very dedicated to Gurughar, for years he took care of the landscaping. He drove 50 miles to come to Gurughar every week to cut the grass, trim the bushes and plant flowers all year round. He donated flowers, plants, fertilizer or whatever was needed to make our Gurughar lawns look like a park. I have seen some people stop in front of the gate and admire the landscaping.
Past committees saved and paid off the loan on this Gurughar. Replaced the old roof, paved the parking lot and built a new kitchen and bathrooms. In 2005 the committee bought the adjacent building. This building used to be a gym. This building was renovated and used for major celebrations because the original Gurughar could not hold all the Sangat on these events. There was a loan on the Gurughar which was paid off by the previous committee when Ram Parkash Raju was the president.
In December 2012, committee decided to remodel this new building for the Gurughar. President Salinder Bhatia headed the project with the help of handful sewadars. Mr. Mohinder Banga was the man to get the blue prints, permits and design this Gurughar. He used his license to purchase most of the material at wholesale cost and saved us a large amount of money. Most of the sewadars worked voluntarily donating their time. Only a few skilled people were hired to do some specific job. Sangat donated for the construction with open heart, may Waheguru bless them all for their contributions.
In addition to Salinder Singh Bhatia and Mohinder Singh Banga, Santokh Madhar painted inside of the building at no charge for labor, Hardial Banga supplied free labor for tile installation and texturing, Sukhdev Banga installed the sound system. Few members lent money to buy materials. Some of the sewadars were, Ajay Chahal, Baljit Singh, Ramesh Ralh Gian Salhan, Balwinder Kumar, Rajinder Hans, Jaila Jaggi, Ravi Jaggi, Jagtar Bhatia, Shinder Pal Narabut, Raj Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, Happy Badbhaga, Ronesh Suman, Prem Saroya, Santokh Ralh, Gurdev Singh Sidhu, Assa Ram, Sarbjit Singh, Karnail Heera, Balbir Chand Mall, Dilbag Singh, Hans Raj Raipur and many others. These sewadars worked long hours pretty much every day to get this Gurughar ready for the Sangat. Shane Singh. I must say Gyan Suman was one lady to work with them shoulder to shoulder. Most of the times, Renu Madhar, Babita Chahal and Laxmi Raipur made lungar for the sangat during construction. Unfortunately, there are very few founding members left. Mr. Sohan Singh Damria and Mr. O.P. Balley are still very actively participating in the Gurughar functions. Mr. Balley is always there to offer advice and help with any correspondence.
As soon as you enter the Gurughar, you can't help saying "WOW". This is probably the biggest and the best Guru Ravidass Gurduara in California. This Gurughar can now accommodate large gatherings. It has one of the best design for the stage, the way the CHANANI is suspended from the ceiling, new Sach Khand, about 2 dozen speakers, great lighting system with some chandeliers and led bulb lights, thickest carpet for comfortable sitting, central heating, dual pane windows, new bathrooms and so much more.
Civil Marriages can also be performed at this Gurughar. Our Head Granthi Harjinder Singh Ji Rasia can make the arrangements. This will save time and hassle of going to Reno or to Courts to get the marriage certificate.
This Gurughar was opened to Sangat on May 5, 2013 on Baba Farid ji's birthday. Sri Guru Granth Sahib was brought respectfully to this Gurughar form the original Gurughar in the presence of hundreds of members and Punj Piare. These celebrations went on until the late hours of the day. Everyone was so appreciative of the workmanship. Committee did not cut any corners; they used the best of everything. There are a few new members in the present committee, they will bring some new ideas and make some positive changes. I look forward to see them succeed.
This grandeur Gurughar is a matter of great pride for our community. This is one of the big milestones in the history of our Gurughar and our sangat deserves the credit for supporting such a large commitment. Board of Directors and the Managing Committee can't do much without the support from all the members. This work is not over yet by any means, we need to continue this momentum and start the other projects like new kitchen and repair of our first Gurughar as soon as possible. We need to donate to this worthy cause as much as we can and frequently as we can.
I am glad to be a part of our community. I know we are not perfect but we are moving in the right direction. May Waheguru Sahib Sri Guru Ravidass Ji Maharaj give all of us the strength and ability to continue building our Gurughars & schools, educate our children, develop our community and increase our social and religious awareness.
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