Baisakhi  13.04.09 Birth of Guru Nanak Dev
                           02.11.09

Sikhism is the youngest of the world's religions, being founded in the 15th Century. It has approximately 20 million followers worldwide, with the majority living in the Punjab district in what is now India and Pakistan. In Britain there are about 500,000 Sikhs.

Followers of Sikhism believe in one God who guides and protects them. They believe that everyone is equal before God. Sikhs aim to work honestly, share with others and lead a truthful life as part of their community. They consider that empty religious ceremony has no meaning. Consequently they avoid pilgrimages and statues.

Sikhism is based on the teachings of Guru Nanak and the teachings of the other nine gurus who were his successors. The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh declared that there would be no other living Gurus but instead Sikhs could look to their holy scriptures for guidance.

The collection of Sikh holy scriptures is called the Guru Granth Sahib. This is a collection of teachings and writings by Guru Nanak and other Gurus as well as Sikh, Hindu and Muslim saints. These scriptures are written in Punjabi and are greatly respected by all Sikhs as the living word of God.

The Guru Granth Sahib is kept on a raised platform under a canopy in the place of worship. Sikhs take off their shoes in the presence of the holy scriptures and also never turn their back on them. At every festival, they are read continuously from beginning to end, which takes about 48 hours.

Any building where the Guru Granth Sahib is kept is a Sikh place of worship. It is called the Gurdwara ('Gateway to the Guru'). Sikh services are generally held on a Sunday in this country and are based on the writings in the Guru Granth Sahib, together with chants and prayers from the Gurus known as Keertan. The service ends in a langar (shared meal).

What are the 'Five Ks'?
In order to become a Sikh and join the Khalsa ('Community of the Pure'), people need to follow the panj kakke (Five Ks):

• Kesh: uncut hair as a mark of holiness and submission to God's will
• Kangha: a small wooden comb in the hair as a sign of cleanliness
• Kara: a steel bracelet, a reminder that they are connected to God
• Kachhera: short cotton underwear, more practical for daily life than the traditional dhoti worn in India
• Kirpaan: a sword, for protection.

What are the Sikh rites of passage?

• At birth:
  When a baby is born a special prayer is read and a drop of Amrit (holy water) is placed on the baby's tongue. At a ceremony at the Gurdwara, the name of the baby is chosen by opening the Guru Granth Sahib at random: the name must begin with the first letter of first word of the Hukamnama on the left hand side of the page. Singh ('Lion'), a reminder to be courageous, is added to boys' names while Kaur ('Princess'), to stress dignity, is added to girls' names.
• At puberty:
  When a person is aged between 14 and 16, an initiation ceremony called the Dastaar Bandi (wearing of the first turban) takes place. Young Sikhs are allowed to join the Khalsa. Khalsa Sikhs observe the Five Ks. A special solution of sugar and water, known as Amrit, is prepared in an iron bowl whilst the five Banis (special prayers) are recited by five Sikhs in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. During the ceremony the Amrit is blessed and sprinkled on the hair and eyes, a prayer is said and a meal is eaten together.