Over 10,000 Sikhs visit the Takanini Gurudwara every month, making it Sikhism’s nodal place of worship in New Zealand. This grandeur and opulence of this impressive monument that stands on a sprawling 8.6 acres of land is worth seeing. It is the culmination of many years of dedicated effort by the Sikh community of Auckland under the guidance and leadership of then president S. Daljit Singh, JP and Secretary S. Pargat Singh along with Manpreet Singh and Rajinder Singh.
This is one of the biggest Sikh Temples outside India and was dedicated to the Sikh community on Baisakhi day (March 13) 2005. A visit to this Gurudwara is an unforgettable spiritual experience and there is a free community kitchen (langar) operating on a 24/7 basis 365 days a year. It is pertinent to mention that Sikhs were one of the first Indian immigrants into New Zealand in the late 1800s and Takanini Gurudwara bears testimony to their sheer perseverance and resilience.
Recently, noted Sikh preacher Bhai Ram Singh Ankhi was honoured by the New Zealand Sikh Society and the Supreme Sikh Council of New Zealand for his religious preachings at Gurdwaras Takanini and Otahuhu during a full house ceremony.
A robe of honour (Siropa) was presented on behalf of the gathering by Baba Tejinder Singh (Akhand Kirtani Jatha), the father of S. Kharag Singh, a well-known Sikh golfer. Sikh businessmen Avtar Singh Tari and Manohar Singh presented Bhai Ram Singh Ankhi with a shawl as a mark of respect.
The NZ Sikh Society and the Supreme Sikh Council also gifted a cheque of $1000. The preacher felt humbled by all this respect bestowed upon him and thanked the President of the NZ Sikh Society, Rajinder Singh. He also specially thanked Daljit Singh, JP, head of the Supreme Sikh council who has been a tireless worker for the cause of Indians in general and Sikhs in particular.
For more info about the Gurudwara Sahib or the NZ Sikh Society, please contact Daljit Singh, JP, on 021803512 or email him daljit@xtra.co.nz .