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.
Welcome to Gateway to Sikhism
Introduction to Sikhism
Over twenty million Sikhs follow a revealed, distinct, and unique religion born five centuries ago in the Punjab region of northern India. Between 1469 and 1708, ten Gurus preached a simple message of truth, devotion to God, and universal equality. Often mistaken as a combination of Hinduism and Islam, the Sikh religion can be characterized as a completely independent faith:
Q110. What is the Sikh baptism - Amrit? |
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Baptism is necessary before joining the Khalsa Panth. Guru Gobind Singh initiated the practice with the establishment of the order of the Khalsa in 1699.
The Amrit ceremony (baptism) is held in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. Five baptized Sikhs known for their piety are called Panj Piyaras, all wearing the five symbols - Kesh(long hair), Kanga (Comb), Kachehra (Knickers), Kara (Iron wristband), and Kirpan (Sword) sit in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. One of the five explains the principles of Sikhism to those who want to be baptized. After the candidates have signified their acceptance, one of the five offers Ardas. Then all the five sit round an iron-vessel containing fresh water an a quantity of sweets - Patasas. They recite the five Banis: the Japji, Jap, ten Swayyas, Chaupai and Anand Sahib. The reciter stirs the water with a double-edged sword, a Khanda, which he holds in his right hand. After recitation is over, the five initiators stand up, holding the vessel in their hands. Each one of them then offers prayer (one of the five Banis) for the nectar just prepared.
As each candidate receives five handfuls of Amrit (holy water) which
he drinks shouting Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh. The Amrit
is put five times in his eyes and five times on his hair while he repeats
the above greeting. The Amrit that remains is sipped by all candidates
to remove caste prejudice. The five initiators repeat the Mul Mantra five
times, this is then repeated by the candidates. Then one of the five explains
the vows of Sikh discipline - Rahat. The candidates are to regard themselves
as sons of Guru Gobind Singh and Mata Sahib Kaur. Their home is Anandpur
Sahib. They are to abstain from the four misdeeds: removing hair, eating
halal meat, adultery and using tobacco. One of the five Panj Piyaras then
offers Ardas and reads a passage from the Guru Granth Sahib. Those who
adopt Sikhism for the first time receive a new name, ending in Singh for
a male and Kaur for a female. All the baptized Sikhs then eat Karah Parsad
from the same vessel. If a Sikh has done any of the four misdeeds - Kurahats
- mentioned above, he has to be rebaptised after due confession and penance.
Yahoo News Headlines
Parliament passes marriage legislation for Sikhs 22 May 2012 | 7:09 pm Sikhs will now be able to register their marriages under the Anand Marriage Act, with Parliament assenting the legislation on Tuesday. --Read more... |
Sikhs can register marriages under Anand Act 22 May 2012 | 8:54 am Meeting a long-standing demand of the Sikh community, Parliament today passed a law allowing them to register their marriages under the Anand Marriage Act instead of the Hindu Marriage Act. --Read more... |
Sikhs in turbans can now serve Washington police 17 May 2012 | 12:01 am Washington, May 17 (IANS) Sikh police officers in the American capital will be allowed to wear turbans, beards and other religious items while on the job. --Read more... |
DC police adopt new uniform accommodations for Sikhs to don turbans, beards 16 May 2012 | 11:32 pm The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is now the first major American police department to adopt a uniform policy allowing Sikhs to wear beards and turbans while serving in uniform as law enforcement officers. --Read more... |
Kirpans now allowed in Ontario courts 16 May 2012 | 8:15 pm Sikhs will now be allowed to bring their ceremonial daggers into Toronto courthouses following a landmark settlement between the Ontario Human Rights Commission and three law enforcement bodies. --Read more... |
Sikh Siyasat
Hindutva party opposes Sikh memorial for June 1984 22 May 2012 | 1:38 am  Amritsar, Punjab (May 21, 2012): Bhartiya Janta Party, BJP, known for it’s Hindutva ideology has opposed the Sikh memorial for June 1984, known as “third Ghallughara (holocaust) of Sikh history”. In June 1984 Indian army attacked Sri Darbar Sahib, commonly known as Golden Temple of Amritsar. Thousands of civilian Sikh pilgrims were killed by Indian forces and Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, eternal seat of Sikh sovereignty was targeted with tanks, bombs and rockets and was badly damaged. It was followed by various phases of genocidal violence against Sikh population in Punjab and India,... | AISSF & SFJ Launched “1984 Yes It’s Genocide” Campaign To Collect Signatures In Support of Petition 20 May 2012 | 9:08 am  Bhai Daljit Singh talking to 1984 Sikh genocide survivor Bibi Jagdish Kaur, who is prime witness against Congress (I) leader Sajjan Kumar in genocide related case Amritsar, Punjab (May 20, 2012): While Damdami Taksal laid the foundation stone in the memory of Shaheed Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Shaheed Bhai Amrik Singh former President AISSF, Shaheed General Shubeg Singh and countless others Sikhs who were martyred in June 1984, All India Sikh Students Federation (PeerMohammad) and “Sikhs for Justice” (SFJ) a human rights group, Under the directions and patronage of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, has launched “1984 Yes It’s Genocide” campaign... |
Karseva of June 1984 memorial begin at Darbar Sahib complex 20 May 2012 | 8:48 am  Amritsar, Punjab (May 20, 2012): The karsewa began today at Sri Darbar Sahib complex in Amritsar in memory of martyrs of Armed attack on Darbar Sahib in June 1984. The Indian Army’s attack was code named as “Operation Bluestar” in 1984. Thousads of civilian Sikh were killed during this attack. Baba Harnam Singh (head of Mehta faction of Damdami Taksal), jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh and and SGPC head Avtar Singh Makkar began the karsewa. A large number of Sikh devotees and representatives of various Sikh religious organizations gathered at the Darbar Sahib complex to participate in the karsewa. Shiromani... | Poster narrating a decade long journey to raise the memorial released 19 May 2012 | 10:38 pm  Amritsar, Punjab (May 20, 2012): Dal Khalsa today released a poster narrating a decade long journey to raise the memorial of June 1984 martyrs marking its inauguration ceremony at Akal Takht. |
The cold-blooded murder of Jaspal Singh 17 May 2012 | 11:33 pm  [Note: Sirdar Gurtej Singh is a well known Sikh scholar and author of various scholarly works. He has shared following write-up on his blog: singhgurtej.blogspot.com. Readers/Visitors of Sikh Siyasat may visit the blog to find more artilcles etc of Sirdar Gurtej Singh.] Thursday, May 17, 2012 On an earlier occasion, I had written to more than two newspapers of the region protesting against the distortion that has almost become second nature of the Indian Media when it carries news and views pertaining to the Sikhs and the Sikh issues. I am compelled to write... | Fact finding report of LFHRI in the incident of police firing which took place in Gurdaspur on 29th March 2012 17 May 2012 | 11:35 am  Ludhiana, Punjab (May 17, 2012): Lawyers for Human Rights International is a Human Rights body. It has recently released a fact-finding report regarding 29 March, 2012 Gurdaspur incident where Punjab police opened fire on Sikhs and a Sikh Youth Jaspal Singh was received fatal bullet injuries while another Ranjeet Singh was badly injured. Sikh Siyasat has received the copy of this report that is reproduced below in verbatim:
Dated: 16th May... |
