People
Texan Nihang:
Harsangat Raj Kaur
YUDHVIR RANA
Born to a Christian mother and Muslim father of Iranian descent in Texas, Harsangat Raj Kaur should have been just another kid in the US, dealing with issues that come with growing up in an interracial family. Instead, she has adopted a totally different identity and lifestyle now.
Harsangat has become a Nihang, member of the Sikh sant-sipahi (saint-soldier) order famous for its extraordinary victories in historical wars.
She takes pride in calling herself a Persian-Scandinavian Sardarni who was born and raised in Texas. Today, she is a mounted archer in true Sikh sant-sipahi tradition.
Inspired by another Nihang, Harsangat not only adopted the lifestyle but also completed the initiation to become a Nihang herself. She was initiated by Buddha Dal Jathedar Joginder Singh in 2012 during his first visit to the United Kingdom.
She has been riding horses since she was five. Trained as an archer too, she was fascinated by what she calls "the brotherhood of the horse" and slowly got attracted to the Nihang way of life. She says she finds this lifestyle to be natural, and today, she can easily recite gurbani. She has also visited Takht Sri Damdama Sahib and tried her hand at Gurmukhi.
"My father's native tongue is Farsi, so it's an advantage for me with Punjabi and Gurmukhi at times," she says.
On how her family reacts when they see her in the flowing robes of a Nihang, she says, "It's not their favorite image of me." However, she admits that ever since she embraced Sikhism, there have been several changes in her lifestyle.
"My life has changed for the better and I give my thanks to Waheguru each day," she says.
Harsangat is not surprised that some Sikhs have suffered attacks from racists in the US. "Growing up, I had to hide the fact of being Persian. I personally don't like the attention that it (dressed as a Nihang) can bring," she says.
She aspires to have her own dal (group) of Nihangs in Texas with horses. "I want a place where the sangat can come and meditate," she says.
[Courtesy: Times of India. Edited for sikhchic.com]
May 10, 2017
Conversation about this article
1: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), May 10, 2017, 5:40 PM.
Here is a perfect picture of chardi kalaa on horseback. A script for an Oscar-winning picture of a galloping, immortalized Sardarni.
2: Dr K.N. Singh (Johor Baru, Malaysia), May 10, 2017, 7:54 PM.
Back to basics is the only way ... Guru Sahib will guide her to set up a Nihang Texan Ranch!
3: Harinder Singh (New Delhi, india), May 11, 2017, 5:28 AM.
Fortunate to share such pictures / stories / write-ups with our readers. Amazing efforts - yes, this does not happen overnight. Such ideas are offered to thousands of young people, but only a few bring them to fruition. Ergo ... Harsangat Raj Kaur. Well done, well done! Our entire team at 1469 Workshop congratulates you, and your family.