NIRANKARI SAMAGAMS
The gathering of Mission’s devotees in large numbers periodically to celebrate the essence of enlightenment; also intending to share it with other brothers and sisters across the world is what we know as Samagam. Nirankari Samagams have become synonymous with selfless service, discipline, togetherness along with spiritual and ethical discourse, everything contributing to manifest a blissful festival of brotherhood in the most quintessential way. In no uncertain terms, these Samagams are microcosms of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which literally means ‘The whole world is our family’. The family-like feeling is so vividly evident at these Samagams, that even the one-time visitors are left beaming with, both surprise and joy after witnessing the spirit of oneness that grips these hubs of spiritual bliss. The presence of Satguru at the Samagams makes it a divine celebration of sorts, wherein devotees are filled with spiritual rapture on receiving the ‘Darshan’ (audience) of their master. It is a wonderful platform where devotees not only reinforce their understanding and faith on ‘Gyan’ (God-Knowledge), but also take time to self-introspect and analyse their own journey on the path of righteousness.
ANNUAL SANT SAMAGAM
Having started in 1948 under the divine aegis of Shahenshah Baba Avtar Singh Ji, the Annual Nirankari Sant Samagam has come a long way. From a small gathering of merely a few hundred back then, this festival of love and oneness today witnesses an overwhelming participation by around a million devotees from across the world. The annual samagam has seen a change in venue from Nirankari Colony to Idgah to Ram Lila Grounds to the backside of Lal Qila to large grounds of Burari and now presently being held at Mission’s own massive land at Samalkha, Haryana. The yearning for the upcoming Annual Samagam begins immediately after the conclusion of the previous Samagam. Devotees participate in sewa of various kinds, months before the samagam is held. The Satguru blesses the samagam with opening of the Samagam Sewa around a month before the declared dates. The annual samagam, which virtually takes the shape of a small city usually in the month of November each year, is characterized with huge congregations, Sewadal Rally, General Body Meeting, Shobha Yatra and Guru Vandana programs. The beauty of this Samagam lies in the organic merger of various languages and cultures through a variety of media including speeches, hymns, poems, skits and dances. Free community kitchen along with many subsidized canteens serve quality food throughout the day and night. Other facilities include free medical help, railway and flight ticket booking, ATMs and publications etc. The exhibition centre is another attraction for the visitors, showcasing history, ideology and the journey of the mission and its masters.
