“In loving memory of Sobha,” reads e-cards as local Sikh community members gathered at Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur in Madera, a suburb in California, the US, Sunday, to pray for their horse’s departed soul — “rest in peace”.For the Sikh community in Fresno and Madera, especially children and youths, “Sobha” wasn’t just an ordinary horse at the gurdwara, but their “Jaan Bhai” (as dear as life).“Sobha was our Jaan Bhai…our companion. We don’t know why it came into our lives. But the horse was a special one, and lucky to have spent its last days at a gurdwara. As per the principles of Sikhi, which hold all living souls as equal, we organised a prayer meet for Sobha. We were blessed to have Sobha,” Manjot Kaur, a local community member, told The Indian Express.Story continues below this adSobha died recently due to colic-related issues, which ageing horses commonly develop (Express Photo)Sobha died recently due to colic-related issues, which ageing horses commonly develop.Manjot, along with other children and local community members, organised a “Sehaj Paath Bhog” (prayer meet) for their horse at the gurdwara on Sunday.“Brought to the gurdwara in February, Sobha became the soul of the shrine. Children would play with the horse for hours and ride it too,” Simrat Kaur Brar, 19, said.Sehaj Paath held at local Gurdwara for Sobha’s peace (Express Photo)“From cleaning to feeding to playing, children and youngsters had taken the entire responsibility of the horse. So, when it died, a part of us died too. While visiting the gurdwara, the first thing we did was to meet the horse and ask ‘Hor kiwen haan Sobha‘? (How are you doing, Sobha?). The horse was calm, especially with children,” said Simrat, who used to visit the gurdwara in chilly foggy mornings to feed the horse.Story continues below this ad“We named the horse ‘Sobha’ because it was the most beautiful soul gracing the gurdwara,” she adds.Why children call Sobha their “Jaan Bhai” has deep roots in Sikhism, as horses are deeply connected to Sikh Gurus and their history, especially from the time of the sixth master Guru Hargobind.Sikh community children with Sobha at the gurdwara (Express Photo)In the Sikh tradition, horses are revered companions, and not just a mode of transport.The name “Jaan Bhai” was given to one of two horses rescued by Sikh warrior Bhai Bidhi Chand. The name was given by Guru Hargobind, who had named the second horse as “Suhela”, meaning a dear companion.Story continues below this adTenth Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh’s famous blue horse (Neela Ghora) is central to the Sikh folklore, and the Guru is affectionately called “Neeley Ghore Wala”.For the Sikh community in Fresno and Madera, especially children and youths, “Sobha” wasn’t just an ordinary horse at the gurdwara, but their “Jaan Bhai” (as dear as life) (Express Photo)Earlier, several gurdwaras, especially those related to Sikh Gurus, used to keep horses but now it’s rare.Khushnoor Singh Dhillon, 24, got Sobha to the gurdwara from a stable in Madera, where it was being raised as “Benao” by its Mexican caretaker.“Horses have been an integral part of Sikhism, and everyone in our community agreed that we should have a horse at our gurdwara, so we got Sobha on February 17. The horse was over 20 years of age when we brought it. We first got a shed constructed at the gurdwara and made other preparations. Once the horse came, it became the soul of the gurdwara. The horse’s name was ‘Benao’, but we changed it to ‘Sobha’,” Dhillon said.Story continues below this adAdvocate Japneet Singh, another local, said the tradition to keep a horse at the gurdwara would continue, even after Sobha died. “Seeing how much we adored Sobha, a community member who owns a stable has expressed interest in donating a horse to the gurdwara soon,” Japneet added.