Sikhism

What is Sikhism?
The word Sikh means a disciple. A Sikh is a person who believes in One God and teaching of the Guru, enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy Book. Additionally, he or she may take Amrit, the Sikh Baptism.

Sikh History

The Sikh Religion was founded by Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 AD in the village Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib near Lahore, Pakistan. Right from his childhood his keen mind would not accept all the groundless rituals, superstitions and dogmas which passed for religion and society those days.

Guru Nanak and the nine Gurus who succeeded him, set a wonderful example of living spiritually, while yet taking an active and secular part in the world. The tenth and the last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 AD) initiated the Amrit - Sikh Baptism ceremony in 1699 AD. And thus gave a distinctive identity to the Sikhs. The first Five Baptised Sikhs (Amritdhari Sikh) were named Panj Pyare, which means five beloved ones, who in turn baptised the Guru on his request - an event hither to unknown in the history of humanity.

Shortly before passing away the Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ordained that Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy scripture would be the ultimate spiritual authority for Sikhs and the chronological authority would vest in the Khalsa Panth – The Sikh Commonwealth. Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy scripture was compiled and edited by fifth Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji in 1604 AD. This is the only Religious scripture in the world which has been compiled by the founders of a faith during their own life time. Guru Arjan Dev built the world famous Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple at Sri Amritsar which is nucleus of Sikhism.