Punjabis celebrate four days of Diwali at Palatine Gurdwara, Illinois

October 31, 2022

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Lamp Lighting ceremony, Savi Singh & Rupi Kaur with Sikh Hindu community members at the Palatine Gurdwara Diwali celebrations held from Oct. 23-26, 2022. Photo: Asian Media USA

The Sikh Religious Society, Palatine Gurdwara hosted a four-day celebration for Diwali from Sunday October 23, 2022 to Wednesday October 26, 2022 in Palatine IL. Diwali was on Monday October 24, 2022 and New year was on Wednesday October 26, 2022.

Preparing rotis for the thousands who came for the four-day Diwali celebrations at Palatine Gurdwara, Illinois, organized by the Sikh Religious Society, Oct. 23-26, 2022. Photo: Asian Media USA

More than 2,000 people attended the celebration from around the Midwest, according to a press release from Asian Media USA. The gurdwara was decorated with diyas and a fireworks display was also part of the celebrations.

Prajesh Patel receiving plaque at Palatine Gurdwara celebrations held October 23-26, 2022. Photo: Asian Media USA

The events included deepmala as well as katha and kirtan by Bhai Rajinder Singh, and Jatha by Bhai Parminderjit Singh and Bhai Inderjit Singh Khalsa.

Getting food ready for langar at Palatine, Illinois Gurdwara where Sikh Religious Society held four-day Diwali celebrations Oct. 23-26, 2022. Photo: Asian Media USA

The daily kirtans were followed by langar seva where hundreds of volunteers of all age groups served hot meals to all the attendees. This year’s Diwali Seva at the Gurdwara was hosted by the Savi Singh Attal family of Chicago who have been hosting langar and doing seva for more than 36 years.

Volunteers serving food at the langar in Palatine Gurdwara, Illinois, where Sikh Religious Society held four-day Diwali celebrations Oct. 23-26, 2022. Photo: Asian Media USA

President Jairam Singh Kahlon and Religious Secretary Tarlochan Singh Multani recognized members from the Sikh & Hindu Community for contributing $50,000 towards Repairs/Maintenance for Gurdwara. Donors were Anoop & Amita Mamtani, Savi Singh and Rupi Kaur Attal, the Mrs. Illinois American 2022, Gulzar S. Multani, Ketu Amin, Neal Patel and Prajesh Patel.

Daily kirtans and jatha held at Sikh Religious Society four-day celebration of Diwali at Palatine Gurdwara, Illinois. Photo: Asian Media USA

The Palatine Gurdwara needs estimated $1million for repairs and maintenance and will hold a Fundraiser in 2023, the press release said.

The Sikh Religious Society, a non-profit organization, in Palatine, Illinois was formed in 1974 and its first formal Prakash Divas (the ceremonial acceptance of Guru GRANTH Sahib {Sikh’s holy scripture/book} at this new place of worship was celebrated in 1975. The organization focuses on Sikh religious services, Punjabi language/ Kirtan classes. Another focus of this society is on the community service, charity and other Non-Profit endeavors to promote the Punjabi culture and heritage.