LOS ANGELES: The Sikh Temple of Los Angeles on Lankershim Blvd. brought in the New Year 2008 with a well organized and very well attended program. The temple grounds were beautifully lit and were sparkling in the cool night and the hard work of the volunteers that put up the thousands of lights made it special.

The program started at 5pm with recitation of Sukhmani Sahib and a short break for tea and snacks was taken to start the evening celebrations. Rehras was performed at 6:30 pm and after Paath, things really shifted in to high gear. From 7 pm onwards, children's jathas from the Lankershim Punjabi School sang Shabads and performed Keertan, with a fascinating show of Tabla playing by the students who had learnt Tabla very recently. S Jagmeet Singh who was a student himself not too long ago is now a mentor and ably assisted the junior artistes in showing off their accomplishments.

There was melodious Keertan performed by Bhai Gurmukh Singh and Jatha of Delhi and also by Bhai Swinder Singh Jee and the father and daughter duo of S Rajinder Singh and Bibi Lekberg Kaur and they all had the Sangat, which had filled the Durbar Sabib joining in.

The Hazoori Ragi Jatha of Bhai Gurdeep Singh, Karnail Singh and Sucha Singh then took the stage around 11:15 pm and got the Sangat joining in singing and asking for Blessings from Waheguru Jee. Bhai Gurdeep Singh Jee explained in detail the Shabad he was performing and the intrinsic meaning of The Word.

The countdown had begun and the Sangat was eagerly awaiting the magic hour and then exactly at midnight, with loud Chants of "Bole Sonihal" the Sangat and all present showered Sri Guru Grant Sahib Jee with flowers. This time again the Sangat participated wholeheartedly to usher in the New Year at the Gurdwara.Langar, milk and jalebis were provided by S Gurdeep Singh Malik and family and it was appreciated by all.