September 10, 2004

Sikh temple’s grand opening: A joyous celebration

By Bea Baechle
Editor

A typically tranquil stretch of Quimby Road burst to life as thousands of Sikh Americans from Northern California joined a procession on Aug. 29 that transported their Guru Granth Sahib—the Sikh holy scripture—to a magnificent new temple in the Evergreen foothills.

The new Sikh temple or gurdwara is the reward of 10 years of tireless fundraising and some excellent real estate deals. The five acres previously owned by the Sikhs west of their elegant new surroundings sold for a cool $6.75 million in two separate transactions in 2003 and 2004. Situated on 40 acres of land, the new $10 million structure is the most expensive Sikh temple in the United States.

To commemorate the grand opening, the booming reverberations of the Evergreen Valley High School marching band enticed curious neighbors along Quimby to catch a glimpse of history in the making. Representatives from the Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim and Hindu faiths joined the procession.

Sikh American men, women and children sang in their native tongue with each symbolic step, representative of a step on the path towards the eternal. “I take one step, and God takes a thousand steps toward me,” explained one of the celebrants.

The Sikh Americans also carried signs stating basic tenets of their faith: “Sikhs believe in justice for all,” “Sikhs believe in one God” and “Remember God, do honest labor, and share your earnings with others.”

A few barefooted men carried nishan sahibs, saffron-colored flags with an emblem of a double-edged sword, surrounded by two curving swords and an iron ring. As part of their religious attire, they wore turbans to cover the unshorn hair on their head. Sikh religious code also requires them to sport both an unshorn mustache and beard.

Although appearances and religious customs differ, the Sikhs have worked hard to erase the confusion of many who associate them with the Muslim extremists in the Middle East. The Sikhs comprise a completely different religion.

Sikh means student or seeker of truth. The founder of the Sikh religion was Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 in Punjab, South Asia (now India). Preaching a message of love, understanding and worship of one God devoid of rituals, Guru Nanak passed on the enlightened leadership of this new religion to nine successive Gurus.

It was the tenth Sikh prophet, Guru Gobind Singh, who before his death in 1708 passed on the leadership of the Sikh nation to the Guru Panth—the collectivity of all initiated Sikhs—and to Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture that was respectfully transported to the new Sikh temple in Evergreen as if it was a living guru.

Once the two-hour procession reached 3636 Murillo Rd., and the holy book was safely tucked beneath the onion-shaped domes, it was a time for celebration. Blue and saffron-colored balloons floated to the heavens. An airplane towed a banner with a congratulatory message. Some headed to pray while others opted to get in line for langar, a free communal meal eaten together by everyone visiting the gurdwara.

Bob Dhillon, a San Jose planning commissioner and building committee chairperson for the temple, noted that invitations were sent to all neighboring temples, including those in Modesto and Stockton. This resulted in a steady flow of people arriving most of the day, spilling well over the temple’s 470 parking spaces.

Sensitive to the noise and parking concerns expressed during the temple’s planning stages, he noted that the average attendance will be significantly less than on this celebratory opening day.

All Evergreen residents are welcome to explore the grounds, bask beneath the cascading waterfall, or grab a simple meal added Dhillon.