As new Bradshaw Road Gurdwara nears completion, Elk Grove Mayor honored by Sikh High Priest from India

Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen (third from left) was honored by Jathedar Raghbir Singh (fifth from left). |

With much of its exterior complete and work on the interior underway, the new Sikh Gurdwara on Bradshaw Road in Sacramento was visited this morning by the Jathedar Raghbit Singh from India. During his visit and tour of the new facility, he also conducted a service to honor Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, who follows the Sikh faith.

Conducted in the existing Gurdwara at the same site, Ms. Singh-Allen was honored in a Siropa ceremony. A Siropa is a saffron-colored scarf about two and a half meters in length that are bestowed as a "recognition of piety or as an acknowledgment of unswerving devotion to a moral or philanthropic purpose."

Jathedar Raghbit Singh was formerly the high priest Golden Temple, Amritsar, India, the holy city for Sikhs. Currently, he serves as the Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib in India and is touring other Gurdwaras in the U.S. 

Singh-Allen, who was first elected Elk Grove mayor last year, made history by being the first directly elected Sikh woman mayor in the U.S. 

Speaking on behalf of the Bradshaw Gurdwara, Gurjatinder Randhawa, who is also a member of the City of Elk Grove's Diversity and Inclusion Commission, noted the importance of the timing of Jathedar Raghbit Singh's visit. 

"Today, on the 400th anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, the 9th Guru in the Sikh religion, Raghbir Singh traveled far from Punjab India, and was honored alongside Bobbie Singh Allen, the new mayor of Elk Grove," Randhawa said. "The Sikh community is proud to have the attendance of the head priest and the first Sikh women elected mayor in the United States."

During the ceremony, spoken in Punjabi, Singh-Allen said, "I want to thank my community for your tremendous support. My victory is your victory. I promise to continue to lift our faith in "Chardi Kala" eternal optimism. I'm honored to be recognized by the high priest from India. His blessing and hope for me to serve the City well and continue In the service of others were humbling. I vow to continue to serve the best interests of Elk Grove every day."  

Construction on the Bradshaw Gurdwada will be finished in about four months. Services are held on Sundays and attract about 2,000 congregants include school and fellowship meals.  

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