Source: The Argus

On April 14, 2003 The Argus reported that a "stream of two lines flowed beyond the entrance to the Fremont [CA] gurdwara, or temple, as hundreds of Sikhs waited their turn to bow before the holy scripture... The ritual is a daily practice in the faith, but Sunday's services were special. It was on this day 304 years ago that Sikhs were given the identity known as Khalsa, or pure ones... Sikhs believe that a series of 10 gurus, or spiritual leaders, laid the foundation for the faith in the Indian state of Punjab in the 18th century. Sunday marked the birth of the 10th guru, Gobind Singh, who formalized the religion... The daylong celebration includes prayer and meditation, along with fellowship and food."