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MORE
WORK, LESS TALK AT SINDHI NIJ THANW
By
V.N. Chhiber
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NIJ THANW (from "Gurbani
meaning 'your own abode') is the name of the magnificent
edifice at the Patel Nagar end of Pusa Road. Built by Dada
Chellaram in 1954, the marble temple is a landmark amidst
populous colonies of Rajinder Nagar, W.E.A., Inderpuri and
Patel Nagar.
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FLASHBACK
:
As
a flashback, the scene is in Karachi, way back in 1934, in Gurmandir
where some staunch devotees-Sindhis, all believing in Granth
Saheb - would informally gather and sing to their hearts content.
'Bani' would be interpreted through 'vichar'. The 1947 partition
scattered them to distant places. History repeats itself,they
again gather in the Nij Thanw temple. The project of Nij Thanw
temples, costing lakhs of rupees, has been possible through
the steadfastness and ingenuity of Chellaram, one among the
group at Karachi Chellaram saw to the founding of Nirguna Balik
Satsang Mandal (institution of the children of God) in New Delhi.
It controls the chain of temples in India. He believed in showing
what is done rather than saying what he could do - more work
and less speech. Political discourse is taboo; so are religious
debates. The New Delhi Nij Thanw devotees dress in white (black
wollens in winter). They are pledged to simple living, bordering
on austerity, aiming at total surrender at Guru Nanak's feet.
Some 500 folk visit the temple every day. Their liberal charecter
makes them celebrate with equal zest festivals, such as Janmashtmi
and Ram Naumi and Guru Nanak's birth anniversary when devotees
pour in from outstation temples. There is daily kirtan (mostly
from "Gurbani") from 4.30 a.m. to 8.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m. to
9.00 p.m. I found a remarkable activity - it is the Gurbani
study classes where some 100 students (including children) study
to complete an academic course. Proficiency examination are
held annually. The poor are fed and clothed on important occassions,
besides the 'langar' for the sangat. Milk is distributed to
hundreds of children on Founder's Day (May 3rd). Special care
is taken of the needy. In New Delhi Nij Thawn I found no paid
employee (save the mali) on the expansive campus. Devotees pride
in doing things themselves. The bathroomwas spick and span and
I immediately moved on to the main temple to see how the mosaic
floor or the colourful walls shone. People go about their work
with quiet efficiency and busy themselves with more work than
allotted. Frequently there are 'prabhat pheris' (4 a.m. to 5
a.m.). The kirtan in Nij Thanw is of special type. A simple
orchestra comprising tanpuras, ghanti, khartals and tabla is
the background against which kirtan and bhajans are sung in
semi-classical style. There is melody and rhythm. The kirtan
party and the audience at times sing in turn. The kirtan party
performs outside also by invitation and for free. |
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MARRIAGE
:
A remarkable activity at Nij Thawn is the performance of marriage
- 'anand karaj'. First 'shabad' is read and 'ardas' offered,
which is followed by the couple going round the Granth Saheb
four times - they are then declared husband and wife and given
'shiksha' (marital instruction). An entry in the register showed
an expenditure of Rs 1.25 in one case. Maha kirtan yagya for
one month every year is jointly organised by all the temples
in celebration of Diwali and Guru Nanak's birth anniversarsy
by rotation at New Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. This year it is New
Delhi's turn. The main portion of the Nij Thanw temple has a
painted portrait of Guru Nanak and the Granth Saheb. There are
two 'paath' rooms for men and women and a place for Bhaagwat
Gita, Ramayana, Koran and the Bible where people of different
faiths could come and read. |
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PUBLICATIONS
:
Nij Thanw specialises in translation and publication of spritual
material. "Nam Sandesh" (monthly) is their official journal
in English, Hindi, Gurmukhi and Sindhi, and "Nirguna Sandesh"
(quarterly) is their journal in Sindhi. Their other publications
are Japji, Asadivar, Nit Nem, Rahras, Gurbani, Ninth Guru Saheb's
Bani, My Religion, etc. These are mostly in English in originals
of translations by Dada Chellaram, the founder. Donations to
the temple as anywhere else are voluntary. Membership subscription
is nominal at Rs. 1.50 per month per family and Rs. 2.00 extra
per annum for those who subscribe to the journal. With the founder's
passing away Miss Radhika Devi is now incharge of the headquarters.
The Nij Thanw is at 11/11, Pusa Road, New Delhi - 110005. |
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Delhi
Circle
Head Quaters,
Nij Thanw
11/11, Pusa Road,
New Delhi -110005
Tel : 5781643
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Mumbai
Circle
Nij Thanw, 9th Road,
T.P.S -III,
Behind Hotel Oriental Palace,
Khar, Mumbai - 400052
Tel : 6407361, 9402653
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Pune
Circle
Nij Thanw,
381, Bhawan Peth,
Near Old Motor Stand
Pune -411042
Tel : 651415
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Dada
Chellaram Ji
Ashram Niraguna Balik
Saproon
( Near Solan )
Himachal Pradesh
Click
here...
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