Detroit, USA - Thousands of Sikhs from the five temples in Metro Detroit will gather at a single event for the first time today, at what leaders say is likely the largest assembly of members of the faith ever in southeastern Michigan.
The occasion, in Plymouth, commemorates a seminal event in Sikhism, a religion that originated in India 500 years ago when a guru, or teacher, established a monotheistic faith, based on love and the universality of mankind. The faith, Sikhs say, was in sharp contrast to the caste and gender differences and rituals of Indian society at the time.
Nine other gurus perpetuated the faith until 300 years ago, when the 10th guru decreed that the Sikh scriptures -- the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji -- would be the final teacher. The book, which is venerated by Sikhs whenever they enter one of their temples, contains the teaching of all 10 gurus, as well the wisdom of other respected leaders, including Hindus and Muslims.
Since that determining decree, issued Oct. 20, 1708, the scriptures have been respected by all Sikhs as the ultimate wisdom of their faith, along with the teachings of the 10 gurus, and no human guru has followed.
"The actual day is Oct. 20, but due to the magnitude and size of the function, and trying to get all of the Sikhs together, we are holding it at this time," said Jasvir Singh, of the Sikh Society of Michigan.
"This function is all five gurduaras -- which is the name for our churches or temples -- coming together for the first time and doing a joint program that we have been planning for two months now," Singh said. "We expect about 2,000 Sikhs to gather and, obviously, these functions are going on not only in Detroit but in India and all over the world, wherever Sikhs are present."
Sikhs first came to the United States in the late 1800s, mostly as agricultural workers who gathered in California.
The first gurduara in Metro Detroit was established in Madison Heights in 1979. Significant immigration occurred -- based on persecution in the Punjab, in India, and economic opportunity in Metro Detroit -- throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
There are now about 5,000 Sikhs in the area, according to Sikh leaders. There are about 150,000 Sikhs in the United States and 24 million worldwide.
Earlier this month, the Sikh Society of Michigan, in Madison Heights, broke ground on a 4.5-acre plot at Dequindre and 14 Mile in Sterling Heights for a 23,000-square-foot building that will include a prayer hall, community dining area, library, offices and classrooms for children.
The other temples from which Sikhs will gather today are in Brownstown Township, Canton Township, Plymouth and Rochester Hills.
"I think that these events are a time for everyone to come together and refocus on many things, spirituality, religion, scripture and so many different parts of this whole event," said Raman Singh, of West Bloomfield.
"This is the first time we have tried this, and if it goes well they might try to make a joint program like this an annual or biannual event, on one of our bigger holidays.
"But nothing is quite as big as a 300th anniversary," Singh said.