Virus forces home delivery of Sikh holiday fare and prayers

Silver Spring (US) Apr 13 (AP) This year the temple gathering, and the pizza that highlights the children's menu at the Guru Nanak Mission's Vaisakhi celebration will be home delivery.

Vaisakhi, set for April 14, marks the day in 1699 when Sikhism took its current form. Like other religions that are altering celebrations of significant spring holidays, the Sikhs are considering how to acknowledge the day in a time of social distancing and closed houses of worship. Gone are the group prayers, services and history reflections at the gurdwaras (temples). Gone too are the processions filled with hymns.

In Oakland, New Jersey, for example, the Guru Nanak Mission service normally includes prayer and worship, but also arts, crafts and special foods. "It's festival like," said Guldeep Singh Sethi, the mission's general secretary. "It's very significant. It's definitely a celebration. It's a happy time." For adults that means Indian cuisine. Children have a less traditional menu: pizza and pasta.

Instead, Sikhs will join Christians, Jews, Muslims and Hindus in taking services for major holidays online, Sethi said.

Plans were scuttled to host two preachers from India for the holiday because of travel restrictions the Indian government imposed. "The preachers that were coming especially for this are not able to travel," Sethi said. Instead, the Granthi, or main pastor, will livestream the message in Punjabi to the members from an empty hall. Music will be provided by three singers, all keeping their distance from one another.

"The main thing is it should be safe," Sethi said. "Right now, everyone is at home." Pardeep Singh Gill, president of the Sikh Religious Society, Palatine, Illinois, said the gurdwara –- place of worship -– would usually be used to celebrate the holiday April 19, the closest upcoming weekend. "This year no programs are planned," he said.

The message going out to worshipers by livestream is simple: "Please don't come to gurdwara. Under the circumstances, that's the best option." (AP) CPS