THE SIKHI

"EVEN KINGS AND EMPERORS WITH THE HEAPS OF WEALTHS AND VAST DOMINATION CANNOT COMPARE WITH AN ANT FILLED WITH THE LOVE OF GOD." 

                                                  - GURU NANAK DEV JI

The faith Sikhi followed by the Sikh religion. The fifth largest religion in the entire world. It was founded 550 years ago by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first of the ten Gurus in the 15th Century. Over 2% of the Indian population belong to the Sikh Religion. Over 25 million of the Sikh people reside all over the world. This religion is practiced in Asia and America. They are identified by the Turban, the pride of the Sikh Religion. This religion preaches us to love, maintain peace and equality in the eyes of God. They follow the teachings of the ten gurus and their holy book 'Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji' which is designated as the 11th Guru of the Sikh Religion. The Sikh Religion eliminates the caste system and guarantees equality among men and women. 

                                                         Source: independent.co.uk

THE 5 KAKKA'S

The year 1699, the day of Vaisakhi, the last living Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the KHALSA at the time of AMRIT SANCHAR (Sikh Ceremony of Initiation). He also commanded that all the 5 symbols of faith are needed to be wore by the Khalsa Sikh at all times. 

Source: watanpunjab.com

The 5 symbols of Faith are named as:

1) Kesh (Uncut Hair)- The Kesh is a sign of Spirituality. It means that a Sikh can easily be identified. The hair are not cut by the Sikhs as a respect to the God Creation. They are nicely tied up in the turban that is worn by both men and women. The turban is also a sigh of courage and self-respect.

2) Kanga (Wooden Comb)- The Kanga is a wooden comb mostly tied up in the hand or kept in the head under the hair. It reminds the Sikh that theyu need to keep themselves neat and tidy. The Kanga is to untie the hair and is usually used twice a day.

3) Kirpan (Short Dagger)- The Kirpan is short dagger worn by the Baptists Sikh at all times over their bodies. It symbolises bravery and is kept for defense. It is also kept to protect the weak and the innocent and those who are treated unjustly.

4) Kara (Steel Bangle)-  Just as a circle has no beginning and an ending, the Kara symbolises and reminds every Sikh that God is infinite too. It also reminds to be in the advice of the Guru.

5) Kachera (Specific Style of Undergarments)- The Kachera is a constant reminder of control over lust, one of evils in the Sikh Philosophy. It is a symbol of the Sikh willingness to be ready for a battle at any moment.

THE HOLY BOOK- SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI

Inside the Gurudwara, there are no idols and statues, no bells and other pictures but the main focus is the Takht Sahib, where the book of Sikh Scripture i.e., SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI, the Holy Book and the Eleventh Guru of the Sikh Religion is placed in the central prominent position. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the compilation of 1430 pages and contains the actual words spoken by the founder of the Sikh Religion. 

 SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI- The 11th Guru

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the compilation of spiritual truth and moral teachings, the hymns composed by Sikh Gurus along with the hymns of Non-Sikh and Muslims. The Guru Granth Sahib Ji starts with the MOOL MANTAR, which defines the basic beliefs of the Sikhs. 

The first edition of the Granth was compiled by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji from 1601 to 1604. it was compiled at Ramsar, now known as Amritsar. It was later installed at Harmandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) on the occassion of Diwali, 30th August, 1604. The second edition of the Granth was compiled by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (The Tenth Guru of the Sikh Religion) in 1706, Damdama Sahib. (Source: bradfordgurdwara.com )

The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is kept in a separate room of its own at night and carried in a procession to the main hall at the start of day's worship. it is placed on a raised platform known as the TAKHT SAHIB and covered with a silken cloth when not being read. Each and every person bows in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the very first thing and touching the floor with their forehead. Thus, showing respect and indicating that they submit themselves to the truths contained in the Holy Book. 

THE HOLY PLACE- GURUDWARA

The word Gurudwara itself implies 'The door to the guru'. The holy place where each and every person of any caste, religion, gender and race can come and worship the Guru. It is the spiritual place where we can feel the actual presence of God. It provides food, shelter and companionship to those who need it. Each Gurudwara has been built to depict the courageous history of all the ten gurus. Each Gurudwara has 4 doors and each and every door symbolizes one or the other thing. 

Door 1- Door of Peace

Door 2- Door of Learning

Door 3- Door of Grace

Door 4- Door of Livelihood 

The first Gurudwara was built by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (First Guru of the Sikh Religion) in 1521 at Kartarpur Sahib. Before the time of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Fifth Guru of Sikh Religion), the Sikh religious activities were known as a DHARAMSHALA, meaning 'THE PLACE OF FAITH'

THE GOLDEN TEMPLE, AMRITSAR
 

THE LANGAR HALL -THE HOLY KITCHEN

Source: huffintonpost.ca

Langar Hall is the community kitchen where people irrespective of caste, creed, race, and gender have the privilege to eat the food without charge. Every gurudwara has its own attached langar hall. Mainly, vegetarian food is served by the volunteers, fish and eggs are non-vegetarians and hence excluded. 

The tradition of Langar was initiated by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and later on formulated by Sri Guru Amardas Ji (3rd Guru of Sikh Religion) at Goindwal Sahib, Tarn Taran. The Golden Temple has the largest kitchen in the whole world which serves more than 50,000 people per day and the kitchens are functional all day long. 

                          An examplary painting of the Mughal Emperor of India sharing the meals with his nobles and servants along with "Sangat" during his visit to Goindwal Sahib to have Darshan of Guru Amardas Ji. (Source: www.goldentemple.org)

Each and every person irrespective of caste, creed and race can be a volunteer in serving the langar and cleaning the utensils. everyone is welcomed as a GURU'S GUEST in the langar hall. The main belief of langar is to maintain equality, sharing love and kindness among each other. The guru's guests sits on the floor together in lines known as PANGAT. 

If you have been to a Gurudwara and have had Langar, then you know that there is no Daal in the whole world tastier than “Langar wali daal”. Along with dal, chapatis, one kind of sabzi and some kheer is usually the menu followed all over the world. (Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com). 

                               KARAH PRASHAD 

In Sikhi, Karah Parshad is an offering made by the Sikh Gurudwara volunteers to the visitors. It is a mixture of equal portions of wheat, sugar and ghee. It symbolises a vital part of hospitality.  Maintaining the humility and respect, each visitor receive the offering by sitting with their hands raised and cupped. This offering should never be refused as it is regarded as a food blessed by the Guru.

Source: so.city

Those who prepare it bathe beforehand and recite hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib Ji as they make it. When cooked, it is covered with a white cloth which is sprinkled with water as a symbol of cleanliness. It is then placed near the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. During the Ardas, at the end of worship it is stirred with a small Kirpan (sword). It is then given to all who are present as a sign of their equality and unity. Offering kara parshad also makes sure that no one leaves the Guru's presence empty handed.

The recipe was given by Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the experience of receiving the Guru's Parshad is a reminder that all blessings come by Guru's kirpa (grace) and that everything we receive in life is sweet to us because it comes from the Guru. (Source: sikhwiki.com)

TO EVERY GURU WHO BLESSED US WITH SUCH A BEAUTIFUL AND BRAVE LIFE, IT IS ALL BECAUSE OF YOU THAT WE ARE BEING RESPECTFUL AND HUMBLE TO EVERY RELIGION.