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*....that [[Guru Gobind Singh]] fought 4 battles and won all of them. Another fact is that, in all the battles they were the defensive force. So it were always the others who attacked Guru Ji.
*....that [[Guru Gobind Singh]] fought 4 battles and won all of them. Another fact is that, in all the battles they were the defensive force. It was always the others who attacked Guru Ji.


*....that [[Guru Nanak Dev]] Ji visited upto Azerbaijan in their 4th Udasi.
*....that [[Guru Nanak Dev]] Ji visited upto Azerbaijan in their 4th Udasi.


*....that it is believed that [[Guru Nanak Dev]] Ji were around 7 feet tall.
*....that it is believed that [[Guru Nanak Dev]] Ji was around 7 feet tall.


*....that Sant [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] memorised the following Bani’s: Sidh Gosht & Dakhani Oankar in 1 day, Sukhmani Sahib in 13 days and Asa Di Vaar in 8 hours.
*....that Sant [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] memorised the following Bani’s: Sidh Gosht & Dakhani Oankar in 1 day, Sukhmani Sahib in 13 days and Asa Di Vaar in 8 hours.


*....that [[Guru Gobind Singh]] Ji were not that tall in height. They were probabably around 5f 4. (according to Yogi Bhajan the exact height was 5" 4.2')
*....that [[Guru Gobind Singh]] Ji was not that tall in height. He wwas probabably around 5ft 4inches. (according to Yogi Bhajan the exact height was 5' 4.2")


*....that [[Guru Gobind Singh]] Ji weren't tall, but they had extraordinary & superhuman strength, stamina and wisdom. They usually breathed after one minute and they could wield two swords so swiftly that no arrow could strike their body while they weilded the swords.  
*....that although [[Guru Gobind Singh]] Ji wasn't tall, he had extraordinary & superhuman strength, stamina and wisdom. He usually breathed after one minute and could wield two swords so swiftly that no arrow could strike his body while He weilded the swords.  


[[image:Guru_hargobind.jpg|thumb|150px|right|{{c|'''Guru Har Gobind Sahib]]
[[image:Guru_hargobind.jpg|thumb|150px|right|{{c|'''Guru Har Gobind Sahib]]


*....that it is evident from [[Guru Har Gobind]] Ji's kachhera and other clothing, that they were 6'7" (about 2m 0.7 cm) and had a chest of size of 56 inches!   
*....that it is evident from [[Guru Har Gobind]] Ji's kachhera and other clothing, that he was 6'7" (about 2m 0.7 cm) and had a chest of size of 56 inches!   


*....that there are 240 million '''[[Nanakpanthi]]s''' in the world! Most of them live in Sindh ([[Pakistan]]), Uttar Pradesh, [[Bihar]] and other remote parts of [[India]]. They are being neglected by our own 'mainstream' [[Sikh]]s and many are converting to other religions due to lack of Parchar by Sikh religious body.
*....that there are 240 million '''[[Nanakpanthi]]s''' in the world! Most of them live in Sindh ([[Pakistan]]), Uttar Pradesh, [[Bihar]] and other remote parts of [[India]]. They are being neglected by our own 'mainstream' [[Sikh]]s and many are converting to other religions due to lack of Parchar by Sikh religious body.
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*....that  the [[Guru]] has pronounced that [[Kirtan]] is the magical formula that keeps the human soul afloat in the dark era of [[Kaljug]] provided the devotee sings with his mind focussed thus: ''"Kaljug meh kīrṯan parḝẖĝnĝ. Gurmukẖ japī­ai lĝ­ė ḝẖi­ĝnĝ. In this Dark Age of Kaljug, '''[[Kirtan]]''' is supreme when the devotee sing with focus"''
*....that  the [[Guru]] has pronounced that [[Kirtan]] is the magical formula that keeps the human soul afloat in the dark era of [[Kaljug]] provided the devotee sings with his mind focussed thus: ''"Kaljug meh kīrṯan parḝẖĝnĝ. Gurmukẖ japī­ai lĝ­ė ḝẖi­ĝnĝ. In this Dark Age of Kaljug, '''[[Kirtan]]''' is supreme when the devotee sing with focus"''


*....that [[Bhai Baghel Singh]] (d. 1802), who in 1765 succeeded Karora Singh as leader of the Karor singhia [[misl]] or chiefship, is celebrated in [[Sikh history]] as the vanquisher of [[Mughal]] Delhi.
*....that [[Bhai Baghel Singh]] (d. 1802), who in 1765 succeeded Karora Singh as leader of the Karor singhia [[misl]] or chiefship, is celebrated in [[Sikh history]] as the vanquisher of [[Mughal]] Delhi. And that he was resposible for the construction of many of the city's Gurdwaras to honor the Sikh Shaheeds who were martryed in Delhi.


*.... that [[Guru Nanak in Nepal|Guru Nanak went to Nepal?]] The temple in his honour is left to bird to sing to their hearts content and the occasional visitor who either knows it is there or has stumbled here by chance and has come upon the small weathered sign which says, “[[Guru Nanak in Nepal|Guru Nanak Math (27°43'31"N 85°18'19"E)]]”....
*.... that [[Guru Nanak in Nepal|Guru Nanak went to Nepal?]] The temple in his honour is now left to birds who make their home there and sing to their hearts content and the occasional visitor who either knows it is there or has stumbled there by chance after coming upon the small weathered sign which says, “[[Guru Nanak in Nepal|Guru Nanak Math (27°43'31"N 85°18'19"E)]]”....


*....that '''[[Pearl S Buck]]''', Nobel Laureate, when writing about the '''[[Sri Guru Granth Sahib by Dr Gopal Singh|English translation]]''' of [[Guru Granth Sahib]] said: ''"I have studied the scriptures of other great religions, but I do not find elsewhere the same power of appeal to the heart and mind as I find here in these volumes...."''
*....that '''[[Pearl S Buck]]''', Nobel Laureate, when writing about the '''[[Sri Guru Granth Sahib by Dr Gopal Singh|English translation]]''' of [[Guru Granth Sahib]] said: ''"I have studied the scriptures of other great religions, but I do not find elsewhere the same power of appeal to the heart and mind as I find here in these volumes...."''
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*....that '''[[Anand Karaj]]''' is the name given to the [[Sikh]] wedding [[Sanskar|ceremony]], literally translated as "Blissful Occasion". Sikhs regard [[Anand karaj|marriage]] as a sacred bond of mutual dependence between a man and a woman.
*....that '''[[Anand Karaj]]''' is the name given to the [[Sikh]] wedding [[Sanskar|ceremony]], literally translated as "Blissful Occasion". Sikhs regard [[Anand karaj|marriage]] as a sacred bond of mutual dependence between a man and a woman.


*....that the '''[[Sikh name]]''', '''Ajit''' or '''Ajeet''' means ''"Invincible"'' or ''"unconquerable"'' in [[Punjabi]]. DO you know the meaning of ''"Amardev"'' or ''"Satpreet"''?. Why not explore our database of over 1000 Sikh names '''[[Sikh names|here]]'''
*....that the '''[[Sikh name]]''', '''Ajit''' or '''Ajeet''' means ''"Invincible"'' or ''"unconquerable"'' in [[Punjabi]]. Do you know the meaning of ''"Amardev"'' or ''"Satpreet"''?. Why not explore our database of over 1000 Sikh names '''[[Sikh names|here]]'''


.... that the [[Basic Tenets of Sikhism|three basic requirements]] of a Sikh are: [[Naam Japo|Nam Japna]] - Rise in the Amrit Vela and meditate on God's Name; [[Kirat Karo|Dharam Di Kirt Karna]] - Earn one's living righteously by the sweat of the brow or the industry, effort and conscientiousness of the mind and [[Vandh Chako|Vand Chhakna]] - Share what one has with others  
.... that the [[Basic Tenets of Sikhism|three basic requirements]] of a Sikh are: [[Naam Japo|Nam Japna]] - Rise in the Amrit Vela and meditate on God's Name; [[Kirat Karo|Dharam Di Kirt Karna]] - Earn one's living righteously by the sweat of the brow or the industry, effort and conscientiousness of the mind and [[Vandh Chako|Vand Chhakna]] - Share what one has with others.


.... that the [[Panj Granthi]] is a [[pothi]] or small book containing five chosen texts, from the [[Guru Granth Sahib]]. The word "[[panj]]" means "five" and "granthi" is the diminutive form of "granth" (holy book)
.... that the [[Panj Granthi]] is a [[pothi]] or small book containing five chosen texts, from the [[Guru Granth Sahib]]. The word "[[panj]]" means "five" and "granthi" is the diminutive form of "granth" (holy book)
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.... that the tercentenary celebration of the [[Guruship]] of [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]] is to be undertaken on a massive scale in October 2008 at [[Hazoor Sahib|Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib]] in [[Nanded]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]].
.... that the tercentenary celebration of the [[Guruship]] of [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]] is to be undertaken on a massive scale in October 2008 at [[Hazoor Sahib|Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib]] in [[Nanded]], [[Maharashtra]], [[India]].


.....that one of the '''five forts''' in [[Anandpur Sahib]] built by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] was called '''[[Keshgarh Fort]]'''.
.....that one of the '''five forts''' in [[Anandpur Sahib]] built by [[Guru Gobind Singh]] was called '''[[Keshgarh Fort|Keshgarh]] and that saying Keshgarh Fort is redundant as Garh means fort in Punjabi'''.


.....that '''[[Guru Ram Das]]''' ji was born at Chuna Mandi Bazaar, [[Lahore]] on 24th September 1534 and spent the first seven years of his life here and that his name before obtaining Guruship was '''Bhai Jetha''' which means '''the first born'''.
.....that '''[[Guru Ram Das]]''' ji was born at Chuna Mandi Bazaar, [[Lahore]] on 24th September 1534 and spent the first seven years of his life here and that his name before obtaining Guruship was '''Bhai Jetha''' which means '''the first born'''.


..... that it is every Sikh's duty to defeat the '''[[Five vices]]''': [[Kam]] ('''Lust'''), [[Krodh]] ('''Rage'''), [[Lobh]] ('''Greed'''), [[Moh]] ('''Attachment''') and [[Ahankar]] ('''Ego'''). Also that the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] gives clear warning about these five plundering you - read [[Guru Granth Sahib against lust]] on this issue.
..... that it is every Sikh's duty to defeat the '''[[Five vices]]''': [[Kam]] ('''Lust'''), [[Krodh]] ('''Rage'''), [[Lobh]] ('''Greed'''), [[Moh]] ('''Attachment''') and [[Ahankar]] ('''Ego'''). Also that the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] gives clear warning about these five plundering your life - read [[Guru Granth Sahib against lust]] on this issue.


[[Image:Sikhi1.jpg|thumb|200px|left|{{cs|'''A graphic displaying some important Sikh concepts'''}}]]
[[Image:Sikhi1.jpg|thumb|200px|left|{{cs|'''A graphic displaying some important Sikh concepts'''}}]]
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..... that [[Siropa]] is a term adopted from Persian '''sar-o-pa''' (head and foot) or '''sarapa''' (head to foot) meaning an honorary dress and is used in Sikh vocabulary for a garment, scarf or a length of cloth bestowed on someone as a '''mark of honour'''.
..... that [[Siropa]] is a term adopted from Persian '''sar-o-pa''' (head and foot) or '''sarapa''' (head to foot) meaning an honorary dress and is used in Sikh vocabulary for a garment, scarf or a length of cloth bestowed on someone as a '''mark of honour'''.


..... that the Kashmiri Brahmins came to [[Guru Tegh Bahadar]] at [[Anandpur]] in May 1675 for protection against atrocities of [[Aurangzeb]]. '''[[Kirpa Ram]]''' led this group of Kashmiri Pandits driven to dire straits by State Persecution.
..... that the Kashmiri Brahmins came to [[Guru Tegh Bahadar]] at [[Anandpur]] in May 1675 for his council against their threatened forced conversion by [[Aurangzeb]]. And that '''[[Kirpa Ram]]''' led this group of Kashmiri Pandits driven to dire straits by the Moghul's persecution.


....that '''[[Tarn Taran]]''' (31°27'N, 74°56'E) is an important centre of Sikh pilgrimage 24 km south of [[Amritsar]], which was founded by [[Guru Arjan]] in 1596. Six years earlier, on 13 April 1590, he had inaugurated the conversion of a natural pond lying along the [[Delhi]] [[Lahore]] highway into a rectangular tank.
....that '''[[Tarn Taran]]''' (31°27'N, 74°56'E) is an important centre of Sikh pilgrimage 24 km south of [[Amritsar]], which was founded by [[Guru Arjan]] in 1596. Six years earlier, on 13 April 1590, he had inaugurated the conversion of a natural pond lying along the [[Delhi]] [[Lahore]] highway into a rectangular tank. And of all things, that the bricks and thir kilns produced for the Sarovar and Gurdwara were stolen and used by the Moghuls to build a city. Which city Sikhs later tore down and reclaimed the bricks.


[[Image:Laava6-M3.jpg|150px|left]]
[[Image:Laava6-M3.jpg|150px|left]]
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....that '''[[Anandpur Sahib]]''' ('''City of Bliss''') is one of the holiest places of the [[Sikh]]s, second only to [[Amritsar]].
....that '''[[Anandpur Sahib]]''' ('''City of Bliss''') is one of the holiest places of the [[Sikh]]s, second only to [[Amritsar]].


....that the '''[[Panj Piare]]''' ('''five beloved ones''') is the name given to the five [[Sikh]]s, [[Bhai Daya Singh]], [[Bhai Dharam Singh]], [[Bhai Himmat Singh]], [[Bhai Mukham Singh]] and [[Bhai Sahib Singh]] who took [[Amrit]] in [[1699]]...
....that the '''[[Panj Piare]]''' ('''five beloved ones''') is the name given to the five [[Sikh]]s, [[Bhai Daya Singh]], [[Bhai Dharam Singh]], [[Bhai Himmat Singh]], [[Bhai Mukham Singh]] and [[Bhai Sahib Singh]] after offering their heads to Guru Gobind Singh  were the first to take [[Amrit]] in [[1699]] and in turn initiated the sixth Khalsa, Sant-Soldier Guru Gobind Singh ji!...


....that the [[Makindu Sikh Temple]] is located about 100 miles (160km) from Nairobi on the main Nairobi-Mombasa Road and that it was built in 1926 by the [[Sikh]]s who were working on the construction of the railway line from the coast (Mombasa) inland to Lake Victoria and beyond to Uganda.
....that the [[Makindu Sikh Temple]] is located about 100 miles (160km) from Nairobi on the main Nairobi-Mombasa Road and that it was built in 1926 by the [[Sikh]]s who were working on the construction of the railway line from the coast (Mombasa) inland to Lake Victoria and beyond to Uganda.


[[Image:Mian Mir.jpg|150px|left|Hazrat Mian Mir]]
[[Image:Mian Mir.jpg|150px|left|Hazrat Mian Mir]]
..... that '''Hazrat [[Mian Mir]]''' was a famous [[Muslim]] Sufi saint who is highly respected by the Sikhs. He was a close friend of the Sikh leader [[Guru Arjan Dev]], upon whose invitation he laid the foundation stone of the famous Sikh [[Golden Temple]] in [[Amritsar]] on 3 January 1588.
..... that '''Hazrat [[Mian Mir]]''' was a famous Sufi Saint [[Muslim]] who is highly respected by the Sikhs. He was a close friend of the Sikh leaders [[Guru Ram Das]] and [[Guru Arjan Dev]]. It was upon the wish of the former and the invitation of Guru Arjan that in his patchwork vestments he laid the foundation stone of the famous Sikh [[Harmandir Sahib]] now [[Golden Temple]] in [[Amritsar]] on 3 January 1588.


..... that the word [[Singh]] from [[Sanskrit]] '''sinha''' which means '''Lion''' and is an essential component of the name for a Sikh male.
..... that the word [[Singh]] from the [[Sanskrit]] word '''sinha''' means '''Lion''' and is an essential component of the name for a Sikh male after taking [[Pahul]].


..... that the [[Sikh]] concept of '''[[Sarbaht dah Phahla]]''' which means '''"Blessings for Everyone"''' or literally '''"May everyone Prosper"''' is a new concept for many people and is not common knowledge for many followers of the Sikh religion.
..... that the [[Sikh]] concept of '''[[Sarbaht dah Phahla]]''' which means '''"Blessings for Everyone"''' or literally '''"May everyone Prosper"''' is a new concept for many people and is not common knowledge for many followers of the Sikh religion.


.....that '''[[Guru Ram Das]]''' ji was born at Chuna Mandi Bazaar, [[Lahore]] on 24th September 1534 and spent the first seven years of his life here and that his name before obtaining Guruship was '''Bhai Jetha''' which means '''the first born'''.
.....that '''[[Guru Ram Das]]''' ji was born at Chuna Mandi Bazaar, [[Lahore]] on 24th September 1534 and spent the first seven years of his life there and that his name before obtaining Guruship was '''Bhai Jetha''' which means '''the first born'''.


.....that the word '''[[Ardas]]''' is derived from the Persian word 'Arazdashat', meaning '''a request''', a '''supplication''', a '''prayer''', a '''petition''' or '''an address to a superior authority'''.
.....that the word '''[[Ardas]]''' is derived from the Persian word 'Arazdashat', meaning '''a request''', a '''supplication''', a '''prayer''', a '''petition''' or '''an address to a superior authority'''.
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[[Image:DamdamaSahib1.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Sri Damdama Sahib]]
[[Image:DamdamaSahib1.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Sri Damdama Sahib]]


.....that '''[[Takhat Damdama Sahib]]''' is one of five [[takhat]]s or '''Seat of Authority''' of the [[Sikh]]s. This [[takhat]] is situated at [[Batinda]] in [[Punjab]], [[India]] and is the place where [[Guru Gobind Singh]], the tenth Guru of the [[Sikh]]s prepared the full version of the [[Sikh Scripture]]s called [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]] in 1705. What are the names of the other four [[Takhat]]s?
.....that '''[[Takhat Damdama Sahib]]''' is one of five [[takhat]]s or '''Seat of Authority''' of the [[Sikh]]s. This [[takhat]] is situated at [[Batinda]] in [[Punjab]], [[India]] and is the place where [[Guru Gobind Singh]], the tenth Guru of the [[Sikh]]s prepared the full version of the [[Sikh Scripture]]s called [[Sri Guru Granth Sahib]] in 1705. Do you know the names of the other four [[Takhat]]s?


.... that '''[[Bhai Joginder Singh Riaar]]''' Ji (Ludhiana wale) and partners are a [[ragi]] [[jatha]] who are well known to most [[Sikhs]] globally. Bhai sahib is from [[Gurdaspur]] district in [[Punjab]] and is an exceptional vocalist and very able [[harmonium]] player and they have enlightened [[sangat|Guru-ki-sangat]] in [[India]] and other parts of the world with their beautiful [[kirtan]].
.... that '''[[Bhai Joginder Singh Riaar]]''' Ji (Ludhiana wale) and partners are a [[ragi]] [[jatha]] who are well known to most [[Sikhs]] globally. Bhai sahib is from [[Gurdaspur]] district in [[Punjab]] and is an exceptional vocalist and very able [[harmonium]] player and they have enlightened [[sangat|Guru-ki-sangat]] in [[India]] and other parts of the world with their beautiful [[kirtan]].

Revision as of 08:34, 20 April 2008

This page is mostly for youth (under 20) to know some less known and/or amazing fact's about Sikh Gurus, Sikh Shaheeds, Sikh Bhagats, Sikh History etc.


Did you know...

  • ....that Guru Gobind Singh fought 4 battles and won all of them. Another fact is that, in all the battles they were the defensive force. It was always the others who attacked Guru Ji.
  • ....that Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited upto Azerbaijan in their 4th Udasi.
  • ....that it is believed that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was around 7 feet tall.
  • ....that Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale memorised the following Bani’s: Sidh Gosht & Dakhani Oankar in 1 day, Sukhmani Sahib in 13 days and Asa Di Vaar in 8 hours.
  • ....that Guru Gobind Singh Ji was not that tall in height. He wwas probabably around 5ft 4inches. (according to Yogi Bhajan the exact height was 5' 4.2")
  • ....that although Guru Gobind Singh Ji wasn't tall, he had extraordinary & superhuman strength, stamina and wisdom. He usually breathed after one minute and could wield two swords so swiftly that no arrow could strike his body while He weilded the swords.
Guru Har Gobind Sahib
  • ....that it is evident from Guru Har Gobind Ji's kachhera and other clothing, that he was 6'7" (about 2m 0.7 cm) and had a chest of size of 56 inches!
  • ....that there are 240 million Nanakpanthis in the world! Most of them live in Sindh (Pakistan), Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other remote parts of India. They are being neglected by our own 'mainstream' Sikhs and many are converting to other religions due to lack of Parchar by Sikh religious body.
  • ....the Significance of Vaisakhi - For many 1000's of years, April has been the time when farmers have put their sickles to harvest and collected the precious life saving crops...
Sardarji joke
  • ....that the Guru has pronounced that Kirtan is the magical formula that keeps the human soul afloat in the dark era of Kaljug provided the devotee sings with his mind focussed thus: "Kaljug meh kīrṯan parḝẖĝnĝ. Gurmukẖ japī­ai lĝ­ė ḝẖi­ĝnĝ. In this Dark Age of Kaljug, Kirtan is supreme when the devotee sing with focus"
  • ....that Bhai Baghel Singh (d. 1802), who in 1765 succeeded Karora Singh as leader of the Karor singhia misl or chiefship, is celebrated in Sikh history as the vanquisher of Mughal Delhi. And that he was resposible for the construction of many of the city's Gurdwaras to honor the Sikh Shaheeds who were martryed in Delhi.
  • .... that Guru Nanak went to Nepal? The temple in his honour is now left to birds who make their home there and sing to their hearts content and the occasional visitor who either knows it is there or has stumbled there by chance after coming upon the small weathered sign which says, “Guru Nanak Math (27°43'31"N 85°18'19"E)”....
  • ....that Pearl S Buck, Nobel Laureate, when writing about the English translation of Guru Granth Sahib said: "I have studied the scriptures of other great religions, but I do not find elsewhere the same power of appeal to the heart and mind as I find here in these volumes...."
  • ....that Anand Karaj is the name given to the Sikh wedding ceremony, literally translated as "Blissful Occasion". Sikhs regard marriage as a sacred bond of mutual dependence between a man and a woman.
  • ....that the Sikh name, Ajit or Ajeet means "Invincible" or "unconquerable" in Punjabi. Do you know the meaning of "Amardev" or "Satpreet"?. Why not explore our database of over 1000 Sikh names here

.... that the three basic requirements of a Sikh are: Nam Japna - Rise in the Amrit Vela and meditate on God's Name; Dharam Di Kirt Karna - Earn one's living righteously by the sweat of the brow or the industry, effort and conscientiousness of the mind and Vand Chhakna - Share what one has with others.

.... that the Panj Granthi is a pothi or small book containing five chosen texts, from the Guru Granth Sahib. The word "panj" means "five" and "granthi" is the diminutive form of "granth" (holy book)

.... that Alahunian is the name given to the Bani by Guru Nanak. It is a composition in measure Vadahans in the Guru Granth Sahib on page Page 578 and refers to a dirge (funeral song) wailingly sung in chorus by women mourning the death of a close relation. Etymologically, the word means an "utterance in praise of a departed person".

..... that Siropa is a term adopted from Persian sar-o-pa (head and foot) or sarapa (head to foot) meaning an honorary dress and is used in Sikh vocabulary for a garment, scarf or a length of cloth bestowed on someone as a mark of honour.

....that the Panj Piare (five beloved ones) is the name given to the five Sikhs, Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mukham Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh who took Amrit in 1699...

Sri Damdama Sahib

.....that Takhat Damdama Sahib is one of five takhats or Seat of Authority of the Sikhs. This takhat is situated at Batinda in Punjab, India and is the place where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs prepared the full version of the Sikh Scriptures called Sri Guru Granth Sahib in 1705. What are the names of the other four Takhats?

.... that Bhai Joginder Singh Riaar Ji (Ludhiana wale) and partners are a ragi jatha who are well known to most Sikhs globally. Bhai sahib is from Gurdaspur district in Punjab and is an exceptional vocalist and very able harmonium player and they have enlightened Guru-ki-sangat in India and other parts of the world with their beautiful kirtan.

.....that the Sikhs believe that all life, including human life, comes from God. God is the Creator of the universe and the force that keeps it in existence.

.... that Langar is a free Sikh kitchen which was started by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the fifteenth century. It is designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people of the world regardless of their religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status. In addition to the ideals of equality, the tradition of Langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all humankind. "..the Light of God is in all hearts", said Guru Nanak (SGGS 282)

.... that Bani (Punjabi (Punjabi: ਬਾਣੀ)) is short for Gurbani (Punjabi (Punjabi: ਗ੝ਰਬਾਣੀ)) and is the term used by Sikhs to refer to various sections of the Holy Text that appears in their several Holy Books. These Banis are often found in small Gutkas or Small Books containing sections of Gurbani.

Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib Patiala

..... that Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib Patiala marks the place where Guru Tegh Bahadur visited village Lehal on 24 January 1672 and stayed under a banyan tree by the side of a pond. Soon the sickness in the village subsided. The site where the Guru had sat came to be known as "Dukh Nivaran" literally meaning Eradicator of suffering.

....that on 10 October, 1982, a National Protest by UK Sikhs was organised to highlight and demand the right of children to go to school wearing their turbans.

.... that the tercentenary celebration of the Guruship of Sri Guru Granth Sahib is to be undertaken on a massive scale in October 2008 at Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra, India.

.....that one of the five forts in Anandpur Sahib built by Guru Gobind Singh was called Keshgarh and that saying Keshgarh Fort is redundant as Garh means fort in Punjabi.

.....that Guru Ram Das ji was born at Chuna Mandi Bazaar, Lahore on 24th September 1534 and spent the first seven years of his life here and that his name before obtaining Guruship was Bhai Jetha which means the first born.

..... that it is every Sikh's duty to defeat the Five vices: Kam (Lust), Krodh (Rage), Lobh (Greed), Moh (Attachment) and Ahankar (Ego). Also that the Guru Granth Sahib gives clear warning about these five plundering your life - read Guru Granth Sahib against lust on this issue.

A graphic displaying some important Sikh concepts

..... that on the 5 January 2008, the Sikh worldwide will celebrate the 340th anniversary of the birth of Guru Gobind Singh.

.... that Langar is a Sikh free kitchen which was started by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the fifteenth century. It is designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people of the world regardless of their religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status. In addition to the ideals of equality, the tradition of Langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all humankind. "..the Light of God is in all hearts", said Guru Nanak (sggs 282)

.... that Bani (Punjabi (Punjabi: ਬਾਣੀ)) is short for Gurbani (Punjabi (Punjabi: ਗ੝ਰਬਾਣੀ)) and is the term used by Sikhs to refer to various sections of the Holy Text that appears in their several Holy Books. These Banis are often found in small Gutkas or Small Books containing sections of Gurbani.

Laava6-M3.jpg

....that Anand Karaj is the name given to the Sikh wedding ceremony, literally translated as "Blissful Occasion". Sikhs regard marriage as a sacred bond of mutual dependence between a man and a woman.

.... that the three requirements of a Sikh are: Nam Japna - Rise in the Amrit Vela and meditate on God's Name; Dharam Di Kirt Karna - Earn one's living righteously by the sweat of the brow or the industry, effort and conscientiousness of the mind and Vand Chhakna - Share what one has with others

.... that the Panj Granthi is a pothi or small book containing five chosen texts, from the Guru Granth Sahib. The word "panj" means "five" and "granthi" is the diminutive form of "granth" (holy book)

.... that Alahunian is the name given to the Bani by Guru Nanak. It is a composition in measure Vadahans in the Guru Granth Sahib on page Page 578 and refers to a dirge (funeral song) wailingly sung in chorus by women mourning the death of a close relation. Etymologically, the word means an "utterance in praise of a departed person".

..... that Siropa is a term adopted from Persian sar-o-pa (head and foot) or sarapa (head to foot) meaning an honorary dress and is used in Sikh vocabulary for a garment, scarf or a length of cloth bestowed on someone as a mark of honour.

..... that the Kashmiri Brahmins came to Guru Tegh Bahadar at Anandpur in May 1675 for his council against their threatened forced conversion by Aurangzeb. And that Kirpa Ram led this group of Kashmiri Pandits driven to dire straits by the Moghul's persecution.

....that Tarn Taran (31°27'N, 74°56'E) is an important centre of Sikh pilgrimage 24 km south of Amritsar, which was founded by Guru Arjan in 1596. Six years earlier, on 13 April 1590, he had inaugurated the conversion of a natural pond lying along the Delhi Lahore highway into a rectangular tank. And of all things, that the bricks and thir kilns produced for the Sarovar and Gurdwara were stolen and used by the Moghuls to build a city. Which city Sikhs later tore down and reclaimed the bricks.

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....that the Sikh wedding ceremony is called Anand Karaj and that it basically translated to "Blissful Occasion" - Also that a true partnership in marriage is made between those who are united in spirit as well as in mind and body.

....that Anandpur Sahib (City of Bliss) is one of the holiest places of the Sikhs, second only to Amritsar.

....that the Panj Piare (five beloved ones) is the name given to the five Sikhs, Bhai Daya Singh, Bhai Dharam Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, Bhai Mukham Singh and Bhai Sahib Singh after offering their heads to Guru Gobind Singh were the first to take Amrit in 1699 and in turn initiated the sixth Khalsa, Sant-Soldier Guru Gobind Singh ji!...

....that the Makindu Sikh Temple is located about 100 miles (160km) from Nairobi on the main Nairobi-Mombasa Road and that it was built in 1926 by the Sikhs who were working on the construction of the railway line from the coast (Mombasa) inland to Lake Victoria and beyond to Uganda.

Hazrat Mian Mir

..... that Hazrat Mian Mir was a famous Sufi Saint Muslim who is highly respected by the Sikhs. He was a close friend of the Sikh leaders Guru Ram Das and Guru Arjan Dev. It was upon the wish of the former and the invitation of Guru Arjan that in his patchwork vestments he laid the foundation stone of the famous Sikh Harmandir Sahib now Golden Temple in Amritsar on 3 January 1588.

..... that the word Singh from the Sanskrit word sinha means Lion and is an essential component of the name for a Sikh male after taking Pahul.

..... that the Sikh concept of Sarbaht dah Phahla which means "Blessings for Everyone" or literally "May everyone Prosper" is a new concept for many people and is not common knowledge for many followers of the Sikh religion.

.....that Guru Ram Das ji was born at Chuna Mandi Bazaar, Lahore on 24th September 1534 and spent the first seven years of his life there and that his name before obtaining Guruship was Bhai Jetha which means the first born.

.....that the word Ardas is derived from the Persian word 'Arazdashat', meaning a request, a supplication, a prayer, a petition or an address to a superior authority.

..... that the Sikh concept of "Sarbaht dah Phahla" which means "Blessings for Everyone" or literally "May everyone Prosper" is a new concept for many people and is not common knowledge for most followers of the Sikh religion.

Sri Damdama Sahib

.....that Takhat Damdama Sahib is one of five takhats or Seat of Authority of the Sikhs. This takhat is situated at Batinda in Punjab, India and is the place where Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs prepared the full version of the Sikh Scriptures called Sri Guru Granth Sahib in 1705. Do you know the names of the other four Takhats?

.... that Bhai Joginder Singh Riaar Ji (Ludhiana wale) and partners are a ragi jatha who are well known to most Sikhs globally. Bhai sahib is from Gurdaspur district in Punjab and is an exceptional vocalist and very able harmonium player and they have enlightened Guru-ki-sangat in India and other parts of the world with their beautiful kirtan.

.....that the Sikhs believe that all life, including human life, comes from God. God is the Creator of the universe and the force that keeps it in existence.

.....that for the Sikhs, the final goal of life is to reunite or merge with God (Mukti). The Sikh Gurus taught that to achieve this goal it was important to work hard at developing positive human qualities which lead the soul closer to God.---------------------------------------->