SIKHISM
 Sikhism
is one of the youngest world religion. It is a strictly monotheistic
faith, preaching the existence of only one God, and teaching
universally acceptable ideals of honesty, compassion, humility,
piety, social commitment, and above all tolerance for other
religions. The word 'Sikh' goes back to Sanskrit 'Shishya',
meaning disciple or leader. In Pali, Shishya became Sissa.
The Pali word Sekh (also Sekha) means a pupil or one under
training in a religious doctrine. A Sikh believes in One God
and the teachings of the Ten Gurus, embodied in the Eternal
Shabad Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Sikhism had its birth in Punjab. The founder of the Sikh
faith, Guru Nanak (1469-1539) belonged to Punjab, a region
where Hindus and Muslims had come in closer contact than
in any other part of India. Nanak was born into a Hindu
family in 1469 in the Punjab region. Since childhood he
loved to travel, learn and preach humanity. In those days
people who taught and preached were titled Guru meaning
teacher, his followers became to be known as Sikhs meaning
learners. And so Guru Nanak developed a new religion and
it also included beliefs from the two dominant religions
in the Punjab region, Hinduism and Islam. Some claim that
Guru Nanak tried to developed a new religion and included
in it what he thought were the good beliefs of these two
religions. Like in Islam the belief in the existence of
one invisible God. Like in Hinduism the belief in Karma
and reincarnation, meaning your actions in this life will
decide your fate in the next incarnation. The Sikhs also
cremate their dead ones as is done in Hinduism.
The Sikhs are recognized by their beards and turbans. They
value these as the signs of their religious faith. These
symbols are an essential part of the Sikh way of life. They
are tall and well-built; the men all grow beards and wear
turbans over their long hair which is never cut. Every Sikh
considers it obligations to wear a Kara (steel bangle).
There are other religious injunctions, like abstaining from
tobacco, which are obeyed rigorously.
In Sikhism everyone has equal rights irrespective of caste,
creed, color, race, sex or religion. Sikhism rejects pilgrimage,
fasting, superstitions and other such rituals. Sikhism does
not have a clergy class as it considers this as a gateway
to corruption. However they have readers and singers in
their temples. Guru Angad, the follower of Nanak Sahib,
popularised the Gurumukhi script while Guru Ram found Amritsar
and the Golden temple and Guru Arjun Dev made the Granth
Sahib, their holy book. However, it was Guru Govind Singh,
the tenth Guru, who made Sikhs into a militant group in
an attempt to halt persecution of Sikhs in the 16th century.
A brotherhood known as Khalsa was formed.
Gurdwara (the door or abode of the Guru) is the name given
to the Sikh place of worship, commonly addressed as Sikh
temple in the western world. In the Gurdwara, the Sikh scripture
is recited and sung and its exegesis done. Guru Granth Sahib
is placed on a high palanquin under a canopy in the middle
of one end of the hall. The Gurdwara is a place where the
"Word of the Guru" reins supreme, not only in
its recitation but also in practice. All the ceremonies
relating to birth, initiation, marriage, death and celebration
of festivals centers around the Gurdwara. Sikhism emphasis
community services and helping the needy. One of the distinct
features of Sikhism is the common kitchen called Langar.
In every Gurdwara there is a Langar. Every Sikh is supposed
to contribute in preparing the meals in the free kitchen.
The meals are served to all and are eaten sitting on the
floor and this is to emphasis the point that all are equals.
 Guru
Nanak who established Sikhism was its first Guru. After him
there were nine more Gurus who were the highest religious
authority. The last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, proclaimed that
after him the Guru of the Sikhs would be the holy book of
Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Nanak not only preached the
importance of "Satnam & Waheguru" (true name
or one god) but also that having a right guru (teacher) is
important for self realisation. He neither believed in idol
worship nor in casteism or asceticism and was a believer in
'Karma' as the only means of attaining 'moksha'. Guru Govind
Singh introduced the 5 symbols or kakars of identification,
which the Sikhs always carry. They are (i) Kesh - Long hair
tied in a turban (ii) Kangha - (symbol of saintliness), the
wooden or ivory comb - (symbol of cleanliness) (iii) Kuchha
- shorts (symbol of alertness) (iv) Kara - the steel bracelet
(symbol of determination) and (v) kripan - the sword (for
the defence of the weak).
Today, many Sikh practices are common to Hindus. Intermarriages
between the two communities are also common. However the
Sikh community has its own unmistakable identity. Though
the Sikhs constitute less than 2 percent of the Indian population,
they have become a distinct element in the configuration
of the Indian religious tradition and the Indian society.
FESTIVALS
Gurupurab: - Also known as ' Guru Nanak
Jayanti ', it is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak who
founded the Sikh faith. Guru Nanak Jayanti falls in the
month of Kartik (October / November). Sikhs decorate their
home with lamps and lights and special services are held
at gurudwaras.
Vaisakhi: - Vaisakhi is the Sikh New Year
festival. It's also the anniversary of the founding of the
Khalsa on Vaisakhi 1699 by the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.
This festival marks the ripening of the Rabi harvest. Unlike
other Sikh festivals, Vaisakhi doesn't move around the Western
calendar and has always been celebrated on 13 or 14 April.
Hola Mohalla: - An annual Sikh martial
festival, Hola Mohalla is celebrated in the month of Phalguna
(March), a day after Holi. Hola Mohalla serves as an occassion
to reaffirm their commitment to the Khalsa Pantha. It is
also a community festival that brings people together in
an atmosphere of sharing and caring.
Maghi: - Celebrated in January, Maghi
is the occassion when Sikhs commemorate the sacrifice of
forty Sikhs, who fought for Guru Gobindh Singh Ji.
Lohri: - This festival marks the end of
winter and is celebrated in January. It is especially dear
to unmarried women who pray that they will find good husbands
and make an excellent marriage. Lohri is celebrated after
the harvesting of the Rabi (winter) crops and give in to
relaxing and enjoying the traditional folk songs and dances.
Bandichorrh Diwas (Diwali):- Bandi Chorrh
Divas or "Divali" means “release of the
detainees". Sikhs celebrate "Bandi Chorrh Divas"
to mark the return of sixth Guru from detention in the Gwalior
Fort. Bandi Chorrh Divas coincides with Hindu festival of
Diwali. The festival celebrates the victory of good over
evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance,
although the actual legends that go with the festival are
different in different parts of India.
SIKHISM PILGRIMAGE
SITES
Hemkund Sahib, Uttar Pradesh: - The high
altitude Lokpal lake, known as Hemkund (4329 mts.) lies
in heavenly environs. A steep trek from Ghangharia leads
one to this spot in about four to six hours. It is an important
pilgrimage for both Hindus and Sikhs, as well as for people
from other faiths. There is a Sikh Gurudwara and a Lakshman
temple built on the bank of the lake. Encircled by seven
snow clad peaks and their associated glaciers, it reflects
its surroundings enchantingly on its crystal clear serene
waters. The glaciers from Hathi Parvat and Saptrishi peaks
feed the lake and a small stream called Himganga flows out
of this lake. As alluded to, in the holy Granth Sahib, Guru
Govind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikh faith had meditated
on the bank of this lake in one of his earlier births.
Paonta Sahib, Himachal Pradesh:- A city
founded by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs,
Paonta sahib is situated on the Yamuna River in Sirmour,
Himachal Pradesh and is a bustling township with growing
industries. The word 'Paonta' means 'space for a foot hold'.
This place holds significance as it has been the holy Guru
Gobind Singh's abode for over 4 years. It is here, where
he penned the `Dasam Granth'. The Gurudwara houses some
interesting spots that traces the events in the life of
Guru Gobind Singh. There is Shri Talab Asthan where he disbursed
salaries, and the Shri Dastar Asthan where he judged the
turban - tying competitions. The Kavi Durbar was the venue
of the poetic symposia. A memorial dedicated to Kalpi Rishi,
and a museum showcasing the pens of the Guru and the weapons
of those times, are also located within the precincts of
the Gurudwara.
Golden Temple-Amritsar: - The Golden Temple
or Darbar Sahib or Shri Harmandir Sahib is situated in Amritsar,
Punjab, and is the most important place of holy pilgrimage
for the Sikhs. It is a powerful monument of immense historical
importance that represents the magnificence and strength
of the Sikhs spread all over the world. The glorious temple
is a living example of the spirit of tolerance and acceptance
that the Sikh philosophy propounds. The actual idea of establishing
a central place of worship had been conceived by Guru Amar
Das and he thus, designed the architecture of Sri Harmandir
Sahib. Sri Harmandir Sahib is built on a 67ft. square platform
in the centre of the Sarovar (tank). The temple itself is
40.5ft. square. Its architecture represents a unique harmony
between the Muslims and the Hindus way of construction work
and is reputed as one of the best architectural wonders
of the world. It is often quoted that this architecture
has created an independent Sikh school of architecture in
the history of art in India.
The Manikaran Gurudwara, Himachal Pradesh :-
Perched on the right bank of the roaring Parvati River,
Manikaran is situated at an altitude of 1760 m and is located
at a distance of about 45 kms, from Kullu, via Bhuntar,
in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh. Manikaran, a place
of pilgrimage for Hindus and Sikhs, has many temples and
a gurudwara. Manikaran is also renowned for its hot water
springs gushing out from below the rocks. Sri Ramchandra
temple is located in the center of the town and one can
have a very good look in and around this temple. The Sri
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurudwara provides some extraordinary
sights. One can enjoy a dip in the hot waters from the springs.
There are altogether three baths, one is located under the
Gurudwara itself and the other two are privately owned and
located in guesthouses. The place offers hiking and trekking
facilities to the tourists. It is also a good spot for trout
fishing. Manikaran offers ample shopping opportunities with
Tibetan products being the specialty.
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