Gurudwaras of World
Gateway to Sikhism proudly launches
Gurudwaras of World @ www.worldgurudwaras.com
Gateway to Sikhism proudly launches Gurudwaras of World @ www.worldgurudwaras.com on auspicious day of Khalsa Sajna Divas , Vaisakhi April 14th 2012. Worldgurudwaras.com will strive to be most comprehensive directory of Historical Gurudwaras and Non Historical Gurudwaras around the world.
The etymology of the term 'gurdwara' is from the words 'Gur (ਗੁਰ)' (a reference to the Sikh Gurus) and 'Dwara (ਦੁਆਰਾ)' (gateway in Gurmukhi), together meaning 'the gateway through which the Guru could be reached'. Thereafter, all Sikh places of worship came to be known as gurdwaras.
It is a work in progress and We strongly urge the Sikh Cyber Community to contribute to this project by submitting contact information, details, images of Gurudwaras around the world to make this a comprehensive directory.
Sikhism FAQs
Sikhism FAQs:Is there any organized priesthood in Sikhism?
Q116. Is there any organized priesthood in Sikhism? |
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Guru Amardas organized the propagation of the Sikh faith. He divided
the country into 22 dioceses - Manjis - each in the charge of a devout
Sikh. Daily Kirtan was held by all congregations (Sangats). The Guru himself
trained many traveling missionaries, including women, they were moved
into different parts of India to spread Sikhism.
These missionaries, then called 'masands' collected offerings from the
Sikhs for the Guru, and sometimes misappropriated them for their personal
use. In due course, they became powerful as a separate group and started
harassing the poor and innocent Sikhs. They moved about like Jagirdars,
and Zamindars, with pomp and pageantry, and accompanied by their servants
and retainers.
Guru Gobind Singh received several complaints regarding the misdeeds of these 'masands' from Sikhs living in different parts of India. He looked into the complaints made against each one. The guilty were duly punished and the order of masands was abolished.
Since that time there has been no professional priesthood, in any form,
among the Sikhs. The idea of clericalism as opposed to secularism, of
a different morality for the churchman and for the layman has no place
in Sikhism. There are neither hereditary priest nor monks. Sikhism does
not prescribe a particular dress or uniform for a saint. It does not enforce
the vow of celibacy. In its temples, any one can perform the services
for Kirtan and Katha. The person known as a 'Granthi' is merely a reader
of Guru Granth Sahib. He is a Pathi. Kirtan-groups generally consist of
amateurs. Even those who are professionally-trained as singers cannot
be priests, because there is no such office or designation.
Woman are allowed to take part in Kirtan and Katha on equal terms with
the men. They may lead and participate in all ceremonials like baptism,
marriage and funeral, where readings from the Guru Granth Sahib are common
to all such functions.
It is not generally understood that all Sikhs are under a sacred duty
to try to impart a knowledge of their religion (SIKHISM) to the rest of
the world.
