Sikh kids

The word Sikh means "student" or "disciple" in the Punjabi language. Sikhs are students and followers of Guru Nanak (born 1469), the founder of the Sikh tradition. Guru Nanak was succeeded by nine Gurus or holy teachers.

Since 1708, the Sikh Guru has been their religious scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhism is the youngest of the world's major religions, being founded in the 15th Century. (Guru Nanak, their first 'spiritual teacher' or Guru was born in 1469)

There are over 23 million Sikhs worldwide, making Sikhism the fifth largest organized religion in the world. There are about 800,000 Sikhs in the United Kingdom and about 1,200,000 Sikhs in North America. Almost 18 million Sikhs live in the Punjab district in what is now India and Pakistan.

Sikhism teaches that there is one God, all people are equal and good actions are important for a Sikh. Sikhs also believe in honesty, truthfulness, charity, and the constant remembrance of God. They consider that empty religious ceremonies have no real meaning in life. Consequently they avoid pilgrimages, fasting and statue worship. .....More

Important Links:

Learning Gurmukhi/Punjabi

• Listen & Learn Gurmukhi Letters (Pain'tee)
• Click, Listen and Speak each letter
• Link to the Learning Index
• Full Punjabi Learning Course
• Animated Stories in Punjabi
• Click & Listen: Numbers in Punjabi
• Guru Granth Sahib with English translation pdf file
• Blog: Project: Gurmukhi

Part of the Guru's sangat - Listening and reading the Guru's message
Jas Kaur on Flickr

Wali throws a rock at the Guru

After travelling through Arabia and many other countries, in 1521 A.D during the summer season, Guru Nanak reached a place called Hasan Abdal.

This place is about fifty kilometres from Rawalpindi in Pakistan to the west side of the mountains. This is hilly area and some places here have natural fountains which flow from the ground.

Guru ji with Bhai Mardana and a small party halted at this place at the foot of a hill. Under a shady cool tree, Guru Nanak and Bhai Mardana started reciting Kirtan as was their normal practise. Slowly, the local devotees began to gather around the Guru.

Soon, a large crowd of people began regularly to gather around the Guru. He talked to them about God and the true path of the holy. He told them about the greatness of God and His creations. More and more people began to gather around him every day.

On the top of the nearby hill, there lived a Muslim pir (priest). His name was Bawa Wali Qandhari. Wali Qandhari had established a celebrated dera (holy place) at this hill at Hasan Abdal, near a natural fountain. .....More