Guru Nanak Sikh Museum, Leicester

Sikh & Panjabi Heritage Exhibition 2005

PRESS RELEASE
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Guru Nanak Sikh Museum, the first registered Sikh Museum in Europe,
established in 1992 is organising'Sikh and Panjabi Heritage Exhibition' to
celebrate the advent of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Diwali.
Apart from the permanent displays and workshops on Traditional Panjabi
Costumes, Panjabi Foods and Indian Sangeet, the exhibition will include the
special displays on the Life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. New items relating to
ancient Panjabi life are being loaned for the display, which include
spinning wheel (Charka), working model of Water Turbine or irrigation
well used in thepast Punjab (Khooh ) milk churner (Madhani) and grain
grinder known as Chakki.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition will be held on 31 October 2005
at 7.30pm at 9 Holy Bones (1st Floor), Leicester . The Exhibition will be
open until 9 December 2005 during 7pm - 8.30pm on Monday - Saturday,
1pm - 4pm Thursdays, and on Sundays 11.30am - 1.30pm. Group visits can be
arranged by contacting the museum on Tel. 0116 262 8606 (mornings),
or visiting web site www.thesikhmuseum.com or
emailing thesikhmuseum@yahoo.com.uk

Mr. Sarbjit Singh an Education officer said "We have organised many items
from the Panjabi life and hope this will bring memories back for those who
used them in their early life and providelearning opportunity to today's young
people. We invite everyone and especially groups from educational, statutory
and voluntary organisations to visit the exhibition for the awareness and to
further their knowledge about Sikh people. The visitors take part in different
workshops and acquire knowledge and understanding of Sikh culture and way
of Life." The exhibition is supported by Leicester City Council and the Education
Service of the museum funded by 'Heritage Lottery Fund'.

Background information about the Sikh Museum

Sikh history is illustrated in different ways in the museum which houses paintings on Sikh
history ranging from portraits of the Sikh Gurus, the Sikh scholars, paintings relating to Sikh
rule in the Punjab in the Nineteenth Century and the persecution of the Sikhs. The visitors
have the privilege to view the models of The Golden Temple (Amritsar), Nankana Sahib,
the birthplace of Guru Nanak the founder of Sikhism and other five distinguished Sikh Shrines
in different parts of India known as Takhats (Seats of Authority). The photographic gallery
displays photographs of those people who took part in the struggles faced by the Sikh Nation.
Some photographs depict the role played by the Sikh soldiers in both World Wars and the
freedom fight of India. A selection of Panjabi handcraft (Fulkaries), ancient Sikh coins and
hand-written manuscripts are on display for the visitors to see. It is aimed to create, develop
and preserve a unique collection of the artefacts for the benefit of the multicultural community
of UK and Europe and for our future generations. The museum is an Educational Venue for
schools, colleges, students and other people interested in learning about the richness of the
Sikh religion, culture, language and history.

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Jathedar Sri Akal Takhat Sahib Singh Sahib, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti and Jathedar Sri Kesgarh Sahib (Anandpur Sahib), Singh Sahib Giani Tirlochan Singh Ji visited the Guru Nanak Sikh Museum Leicester on Sunday 4 September 2005. Both these prominent leaders head the seats of authority in Sikh Nation, however the Akal Takhat situated in front of the Golden Temple is the supreme seat of authority and literally means "timeless or everlasting throne" or throne of the Timeless One, i.e. God." The 6th Sikh Guru Har Gobind Sahib established the Akal Takhat in 1606 as the place from which the spiritual and temporal concerns of the Sikh community could be acted upon. The Jathedar of the Akal Takhat is the highest spokesperson of the Sikh Panth and is meant to be a spiritual leader without control or influence from any outside, politically motivated sources. The Sikhs recognize four other seats of authority namely Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur; Takhat Sri Harimandar Sahib, Patna; Takhat Sachkhand Hazur Sahib, Abchalnagar, Nanded; and Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib, Talvandi Sabo. These are connected with the life of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh (1666 - 1708).

The president of the Sikh Museum Artist Sarup Singh, the Committee members, staff, volunteers and members of congregation welcomed the visit by Singh Sahibs to the first registered Sikh Museum in Europe. Singh Sahibs viewed the paintings, manuscripts, models, coins and other artefacts with keen interest. The visiting leaders praised the Sikhs for their efforts to preserve the Sikh heritage. Sarbjit Singh the Education officer said , " The visit is a historic event in the history of the Sikh Museum and we are delighted that the Jathedars of the highest seats of authority have paid their visits during their tour of United Kingdom as recognition to the hard work of Sikhs in Leicester to preserve the Sikh heritage."

Sikh Museum to unveil an oil Painting on open day organised in conjunction with Castle Park Festival

An oil painting on the life of the 7th Sikh Guru, Guru Har Rai Ji will be unveiled during the Sikh Museum's Open Day organised in conjunction with Castle Park Festival. The unveiling ceremony will be held during the visit by the Right Worshipful, Lord Mayor of Leicester Councillor Mary Draycott at 2pm on Saturday 27 August 2005. The painting depicts the Sikh Guru bandaging a wounded person and the royal visitors waiting for the audience. The Sikh history states that Dara, the elder son of Indian Mogul Emperor Shah Jehan (1627-1658 AD), was once cured from a serious illness with herbs only available from the Guru.

The painting is commissioned from the well known Artist Devender Singh of Chandigarh (Panjab), India and will form the part of the permanent collection of the Sikh Museum. It can be viewed during the opening times of the museum on Saturdays 7.30pm - 8.30pm and Thursdays 1pm - 4pm. Group visits can be arranged by contacting the museum on Tel. 0116 262 8606 (mornings), or visiting web site www.thesikhmuseum.com or emailing thesikhmuseum@yahoo.co.uk

Mr. Sarbjit Singh an Education officer at the Sikh Museum said "We have been participating in the Castle Park Festival over ten years to provide an insight view of the Sikh way of life, culture and history. This year's Open Day will be marked by the unveiling of the special painting which will complete the collection on ten Sikh Gurus and be a valuable addition to the museum. The painting illustrates the practice of Sikh belief to serve for the welfare of human kind without any discrimination on the basis of religion culture or status."