With the blessing of Guru Sahib and the seva of our sangat, a new Nishan Sahib now stands at Guru Ka Niwas. Here is how it was built, step by step: from Ardas and groundwork to the moment it was raised.
The Nishan Sahib is the flag that marks every Gurdwara. It tells anyone passing that here is a place of refuge, where all are welcome and Langar is shared.
Putting up a new one is real building work. It needs a deep reinforced-concrete footing to hold the pole safely upright in all weathers. Over recent weeks sevadars, tradespeople and the sangat have worked together to make it happen.
The Nishan Sahib, meaning "exalted flag", is the Sikh flag. It flies on a tall pole outside every Gurdwara. It bears the Khanda emblem, and the pole is wrapped in a cloth covering called the Chola Sahib.
The tradition goes back to Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, who raised a Nishan Sahib at Sri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar in the early 1600s, around 1606.
The Nishan Sahib tells anyone passing, from far away, that here is a Gurdwara, a place where all are welcome. Anyone may come in for shelter, a moment of peace, and Langar, whatever their background. It also stands for Miri and Piri, the spiritual and worldly sides of Sikh life, held together.
The sangat show respect to the Nishan Sahib, and the Chola Sahib is renewed with seva, traditionally around Vaisakhi.
Before a single spade went into the ground, the sangat gathered beside the site for Ardas, asking for Guru Sahib's blessing on the seva ahead.
Karah Parshad was prepared and shared, and the work began in the spirit of humility and togetherness.
A mini digger opened up the ground in front of the Gurdwara, and the pit for the foundation was dug out and shored with timber.
A cage of steel reinforcing bars was set into the pit. On top, a timber template holds the anchor bolts in exactly the right position, so the base of the Nishan Sahib would sit level and true.
Everything was checked with a spirit level before any concrete was poured.
Ready-mixed concrete was delivered on site and poured straight into the pit around the steel cage, filling the foundation from the bottom up.
The surface was levelled and finished, with the anchor bolts standing ready. The concrete was then left to cure and gain its full strength.
Once the foundation had cured, the octagonal plinth was built and clad, and the steel base plate of the Nishan Sahib was bolted down onto the anchor bolts.
In the evening the Nishan Sahib was raised into place using its built-in hydraulic ram, slowly lifting the pole from horizontal to upright.
It now stands in front of the Gurdwara, ready for the Nishan Sahib (flag) and Chola Sahib.
To the sevadars who dug, carried, swept and stayed late into the evening; to the tradespeople, craftsmen and suppliers; and to the whole sangat for your Ardas and support. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.
Visit the GurdwaraPhotographs and video by the sangat. Vehicle number plates and personal contact details have been blurred.
From Westbury Street to Rothesay Gardens.
