Sant Giani Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale: teacher of the Damdami Taksal

This day celebrates the birth of Sant Giani Kartar Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, who led the Damdami Taksal, a seminary of Sikh learning, from 1969 until his death in 1977. He is remembered above all as a teacher of the Guru's bani, its correct pronunciation and its meaning.

The Damdami Taksal

The Damdami Taksal traces its tradition to Damdama Sahib, where Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji had Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji written out in 1706 and, by tradition, taught its meaning to a group of Sikhs led by Baba Deep Singh Ji. Over the centuries the Taksal, which takes its name from a mint, became known for training granthis, kathavachaks and kirtanis in santhiya, the careful study of how each word of the bani is pronounced and understood. In the twentieth century it was led by Sant Sunder Singh Ji Bhindranwale and then Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, the name coming from the village of Bhinder Kalan.

A life of teaching

Kartar Singh Ji was born in 1932 at Bhure Kohna, near Amritsar, and studied under Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji, becoming one of his leading students. As head of the Taksal he travelled widely, giving katha of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and of the Sikh histories, and many of his recorded katha sessions are still listened to today. He encouraged Sikhs to take Amrit and to keep the rehat, and trained many students in santhiya. He set up the Taksal's headquarters at Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash at Mehta Chowk.

His passing

He died in a road accident in 1977, and was succeeded by Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale.

How the day is observed

The day is observed with Akhand Paath, kirtan and katha, especially at Mehta Chowk.