A SHORT JOURNEY
WITH
SIRI SINGH SAHIB
1971
Harbhajan Singh Yogi is given the title "Siri Singh Sahib" at Akal Takhat in Siri Amritsar by Sant Chanan Singh, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak (SGPC) President and Sant Fateh Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal President, on March 3, 1971. Above, Siri Singh Sahib is pictured with Mahinder Singh Giani, SGPC Secretary.
(Photo: Unknown, The Man Called Siri Singh Sahib)
(Photo: Unknown, The Man Called Siri Singh Sahib)
1974
During the historic tour of Sikh communities in the United States, Canada, England, Holland
and France hosted by Siri Singh Sahib, Siri Guru Shatabdi Committee President Hukam Singh
and SGPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra issue the above communique, mentioning
"the S.G.P.C. appreciated the work done by 3HO and the Akal Takhat decorated
the leader as Siri Singh Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogi and recognized him as
the head of the Sikh Dharma mission in the Western Hemisphere."
and France hosted by Siri Singh Sahib, Siri Guru Shatabdi Committee President Hukam Singh
and SGPC President Gurcharan Singh Tohra issue the above communique, mentioning
"the S.G.P.C. appreciated the work done by 3HO and the Akal Takhat decorated
the leader as Siri Singh Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogi and recognized him as
the head of the Sikh Dharma mission in the Western Hemisphere."
1974
On November 13, 1974, Siri Singh Sahib is awarded the title of "Bhai Sahib" at Akal Takhat Sahib for his selfless missionary work. Siri Singh Sahib afterwards jokes that the Sikh leadership had hoped by making him Bhai Sahib he would give back his unique and more controversial title of Siri Singh Sahib, but this he refused to do for the sake of the legacy of the Office of Siri Singh Sahib.
(Photo: Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa, The Man Called Siri Singh Sahib)
(Photo: Sardarni Guru Amrit Kaur Khalsa, The Man Called Siri Singh Sahib)
1976
On October 8, 1976, the SGPC, the foremost religious body of Sikh dharma approves
the constitution of Sikh Dharma Brotherhood (subsequently renamed "Sikh Dharma")
based in the United States, with the Siri Singh Sahib as chief office holder.
the constitution of Sikh Dharma Brotherhood (subsequently renamed "Sikh Dharma")
based in the United States, with the Siri Singh Sahib as chief office holder.
1977
In response to a libelous article in Time magazine that called into question the title of Siri Singh Sahib,
S.G.P.C. Secretary Mahinder Singh Giani and Sardar Hukam Singh address the editor of the publication
with a telegram and official letter.
S.G.P.C. Secretary Mahinder Singh Giani and Sardar Hukam Singh address the editor of the publication
with a telegram and official letter.
1980
Siri Singh Sahib in Punjab with Bhai Amrik Singh (left), President of the All India Sikh Students Federation, and Baba Nihal Singh (right), Jathedar of the Taruna Dal of Nihung Khalsa. Siri Singh Sahib makes frequent visits to Punjab pre-1984 to bring people to build bridges and speak reason in the face of the Indian Government's increasingly destructive actions toward the Sikhs. Amrik Singh is martyred in the Indian Government's 1984 assault on the Golden Temple. Nihal Singh is arrested and grievously tortured.
(Photo: Unknown, Wiki Media Commons)
(Photo: Unknown, Wiki Media Commons)
1981
An informal counsel of Sikh leaders: (seated, from left to right) Baba Nihal Singh, Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale - Jathedar of the Damdami Taksal, Sardar Gurcharan Singh Tohra - President of the SGPC, Bhai Sahib Gurdial Singh Ajnoha - Jathedar of Akal Takhat Sahib, Siri Singh Sahib, Bhai Amrik Singh. Jarnail Singh is martyred with Amrik Singh in the Indian Army attack on the Golden Temple in 1984. Gurcharan Singh is imprisoned for several months. (Photo: Unknown, Beads of Truth)
1981
Siri Singh Sahib, Baba Kharak Singh, Giani Mahinder Singh and others taking a walk around
Harimandir Sahib. (Photo: Unknown, Wikimedia Commons)
Harimandir Sahib. (Photo: Unknown, Wikimedia Commons)
1984
Siri Singh Sahib at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, January 1984. He continues his efforts for peace even as the situation deteriorates. (Photo: Unknown, Beads of Truth)
1984
Siri Singh Sahib offers thanks and a silver crucifix as a gift to Pope John Paul II for raising the world's awareness of the killing of innocent pilgrims at the Golden Temple by the Indian Army in June.
He and Pope John Paul II had formed an instant bond when they first met in 1983.
(Photo: Unknown, Sacred Collection)
He and Pope John Paul II had formed an instant bond when they first met in 1983.
(Photo: Unknown, Sacred Collection)
1985
Siri Singh Sahib leading a prayer with a "Siri Sahib" or sword in his hands. After the
Golden Temple attack and imposition of martial law in Punjab, the Siri Singh Sahib makes efforts to bring aid and support to the suffering. (Photo: Soorya Kaur Khalsa,
The History of Sikh Dharma in the Western Hemisphere)
Golden Temple attack and imposition of martial law in Punjab, the Siri Singh Sahib makes efforts to bring aid and support to the suffering. (Photo: Soorya Kaur Khalsa,
The History of Sikh Dharma in the Western Hemisphere)
1986
SGPC President Kabal Singh writes Siri Singh Sahib to appreciate his establishment of an annual "Peace Prayer Day" at Ram Das Puri, New Mexico, USA.
1986
From 1984 to 1993, travel to Punjab is prohibited, but Baba Joginder Singh Moni, Jathedar of
Takhat Siri Hazoor Sahib from 1956 to 1984, is able to travel abroad and pay his respects.
(Photo: Sat Simran Kaur Khalsa, The History of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere)
Takhat Siri Hazoor Sahib from 1956 to 1984, is able to travel abroad and pay his respects.
(Photo: Sat Simran Kaur Khalsa, The History of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere)
1993
Siri Singh Sahib, always building bridges, sits between former Indian President Giani Zail Singh (right) and M.P. Surenderjeet Singh Ahluwalia. Siri Singh Sahib considered Zail Singh innocent of the former Prime Minister's vicious designs against the Sikhs of Punjab. At the time of the Golden Temple attack, many said Zail Singh should resign, but Siri Singh Sahib cautioned that should he resign, all Sikhs would be targeted as anti-national and a bloodbath of even greater proportions would commence. (Photo: Soorya Kaur Khalsa, The History of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere)
1995
Welcome banner outside Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar.
(Photo: Soorya Kaur Khalsa, The History of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere)
(Photo: Soorya Kaur Khalsa, The History of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere)
1995
Two generations of Western-born Sikhs take advantage of the re-opening of Punjab
to pay their respects at the Golden Temple. (Photo: Soorya Kaur Khalsa,
The History of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere)
to pay their respects at the Golden Temple. (Photo: Soorya Kaur Khalsa,
The History of Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere)
1999
At the 300th anniversary of Khalsa, celebrated by hundreds of thousands in Anandpur Sahib in 1999,
Siri Singh Sahib is given another, and final, title in recognition of his lifelong dedication and service:
"Panth Rattan" - Jewel of the Nation. Here, he is pictured with SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur.
(Photo: Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa, Sikhnet)
Siri Singh Sahib is given another, and final, title in recognition of his lifelong dedication and service:
"Panth Rattan" - Jewel of the Nation. Here, he is pictured with SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur.
(Photo: Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa, Sikhnet)
2004
The passing of Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, Panth Rattan is felt around the world. In Amritsar, the SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur officially expresses her condolences and SGPC offices are closed for a day. In New Mexico, flags fly at half mast. Plans are launched to name a roadway the
"Yogi Bhajan Memorial Highway." In the following months, a resolution "Honoring the life and
contributions of Yogi Bhajan, a leader of Sikhs, and expressing condolences to the Sikh community on his passing" passes both U.S. Houses of Congress by unanimous votes, placing Siri Singh Sahib
in the rare company of Martin Luther King Jr, Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II.
The inspiration and teachings of Siri Singh Sahib live on in his international mission, in his many contributions to human wellness and peaceful co-existence, in the increased recognition of Sikh dharma as a world religion, in his enterprises such as Sikhnet, the Kundalini Research Institute, Yogi Tea Incorporated,
and Miri Piri Academy, in the communities her helped found, and in the hearts of the many thousands
he has brought to a healthier, happier, holier way of life. (Image: Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa, Sikhnet)
"Yogi Bhajan Memorial Highway." In the following months, a resolution "Honoring the life and
contributions of Yogi Bhajan, a leader of Sikhs, and expressing condolences to the Sikh community on his passing" passes both U.S. Houses of Congress by unanimous votes, placing Siri Singh Sahib
in the rare company of Martin Luther King Jr, Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II.
The inspiration and teachings of Siri Singh Sahib live on in his international mission, in his many contributions to human wellness and peaceful co-existence, in the increased recognition of Sikh dharma as a world religion, in his enterprises such as Sikhnet, the Kundalini Research Institute, Yogi Tea Incorporated,
and Miri Piri Academy, in the communities her helped found, and in the hearts of the many thousands
he has brought to a healthier, happier, holier way of life. (Image: Gurumustuk Singh Khalsa, Sikhnet)