Ardas

Ardas literally means “a request” or ”supplication” or “a petition”. Ardas is humbly performed to formally communicate with Guru Granth Sahib. Ardas is performed with a specific request (i.e. to bless the sight / Naam dan / spiritual enlightenment, before start of a task, success at work or in business, blessings for wedding, birthday or holiday etc.).  Reply is received from Guru Granth Sahib through Hukamnama.

Only Ardas performed with sincerity and humility is accepted by the Guru, as Guru Ji knows everyone’s heart.

Divan

Divan literally means a "Royal Court". In Sikhism, the word is used for the congregation where Gurbani (Divine Word) is recited and religious speeches are delivered in the auspicious presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Gatka

Gatka is the Sikh martial art. It is a fake battle used to teach defence and attack techniques and in addition is a good physical exercise. After martyrdom of his father, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the 6^th Guru Guru Hargobind Ji used Gatka to prepare his Sikhs to fight the evil.

Gurdwara

Gurdwara literally means “Guru’s Door” or “Doorway to the Guru’s house”. Guru Granth Sahib is Guru of the Sikhs. Sikhs and other devotees visit Gurdwara to listen and read the hymns contained in Guru Granth Sahib for spiritual advancement with ultimate goal to attain union with Waheguru. Every Gurdwara has a fixed daily routine.

Every Gurdwara has a Langar Hall (Free Kitchen). Anyone can visit the Gurdwara. Before entry, shoes have to be taken off and head needs to be covered. Devotee sit on the floor. Any use of tobacco or intoxicants is not permitted inside the Gurdwara complex.

Gurdwara –Daily Routine

Daily routine consists of :

Prakash: In the early hours of the morning between 2.30am and 5.00am *, Guru Granth Sahib is brought from Sach-Khand (rest room) into the Divan-hall (Royal court room) following a prayer to bless everyone with a holy sight and reveal order for the day (Hukamnama). Bhai Sahib carries Guru Granth Sahib on the head and Chaur Sahib is waived over by another Sikh and Guru Granth Sahib is placed on the Manji Sahib (centrally located along one side of Divan-hall). Guru Granth Sahib is opened at random Hukamnama is read. The Hukamnama is printed outside the divan hall for those who were not present at the time.

Religious Discourses: After the Hukamnama, Nitnem Banis are read and which is followed by Kirtan & Katha upto 8am till 10.30am *. In the main Gurdwaras like Harmandir Sahib, Kirtan is sung all day.

In the evening between 5pm till 8.30pm *, divan or congregation is held again which starts with reading of Rehras Sahib hymns and followed by Kirtan & Katha. At the end of the spiritual discourses, Ardas is performed and Hukamnama is taken.

Sukh-asun: Now, the preparation for taking Guru Ji to Sach-khand room start by reading Kirtan Sohila hymns and thanks giving Ardas is performed and apologies are requested for any shortcoming during the service. After the Ardas, Bhai Sahib carries Guru Granth Sahib back to the Sach-Khand room and placed on the bed.

* depends upon local arrangement in various Gurdwaras

Gurmat Class

Gurmat Class means an educational session where religious and social aspects of life are taught to the students. It quite often covers the activities for physical fitness in addition to the mental / spiritual developments.

Guru Ka Langar

Guru Ka Langar means Guru's kitchen and is based on the principle of sharing (Wand Chhakna). Food is served free to all the visitors (Sikhs and non-sikhs). Devotees offer the food provisions and do cooking, serving, washing up & cleaning on voluntary basis.

Hukamnama 

“Hukam” means “Order” and “Nama” means “a message”. Hukamnama is Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s reply to one’s wishes expressed through the Ardas.  Guru Granth Sahib contains 1430 pages and with double side printing. Guru Granth Sahib pages are turned / opened at random to read the hymns that contains the answer.

Katha-kaar 

A learned person who can translate the Hymns from Guru Granth Sahib and has knowledge of the Sikh history. Katha-Kaar has to be an Amritdhari Sikh.

Khanda

Khanda is a double-edged sword. The Khanda overlaid by the circular ring and surrounded by two swords is also referred to as Khanda. The two outside swords represent the spiritual (Piri means Saintly hood) and the temporal (Miri means worldly) powers. Circular ring signifies God's immortality who has indefinite beginning & end. The double-edged sword signifies righteousness of almighty God, the possessor of both the spiritual and the temporal powers.

Kirtan

Singing of religious Hymns in the musical notes called “Raags”. Harmonium and Tabla (classical music twin drums) are used during the singing. Normally, two persons play harmonium and the third person plays the tabla.

Nagar Kirtan

Nagar Kirtan means chanting Gurbani (Divine Words) during procession. Sri Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a decorated vehicle to grace the occasion. Panj Piyare (Five Beloved One's) lead the vehicle. Any one can join the Nagar Kirtan. The devotees distribute free drinks & snacks to everyone.

Nishan Sahib 

Nishan Sahib Nishan literally means a “Mark”. This implies a “Landmark”. It is saffron coloured triangular flag that stands outside every Gurdwara building as a landmark or identification. The flag post is also covered with the saffron colour cloth and a Khanda is mounted on top of the post. The flag itself has a picture of Khanda printed on it. Nishan Sahib signifies that the Gurdwara is God’s house and sends open invitation to all human beings (children of One Almighty God) to join in the worship of One Almighty Waheguru.

The use of Nishan Sahib started during the days of the 6^th Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji who raised the flag outside Akal Takhat in 1608 AD. Nishan Sahib has achieved recognition as Khalsa Nation Flag and it is carried by the each of the Panj Piyaras during the Nagar Kirtan. The cloth is replaced regularly especially on before the Vaisakhi celebrations every year.

Nishan Sahib makes it easier to identify the Gurdwara buildings especially where residential houses have been converted into the Gurdwara.

Panj Piyare

Panj Piyare (Five beloved ones) were the first five courageous Sikhs who passed the test set out by Guru Gobind Singh Ji on the day of 1699 Vaisakhi. They offered their body and soul to the Guru when Guru Ji demanded offering of head. Guru Ji entrusted the religious authority to Panj Piyare later on. Now-a-days, Five Amritdhari Sikhs (referred to as Panj Piyare) bless other Sikhs with Naam Dan (spiritual bliss) by giving Amrit. Panj Piyare also take lead in the religious functions.

Prakash

See Gurdwara –Daily Routine

Ranjeet Nagara

Ranjeet Nagara : Ranjeet means "winner of the battle" and Nagara means "Big Drum". The Sikhs used Ranjeet Nagara in Guru Gobind Singh Ji's time in order to send signal to the Sikhs to gather in case of an attack by the enemy. It was also used when Guru Ji was visiting the town so that the devotees could be informed to take a sight of their Guru. Now a days, it played during the prayers and on special occasions e.g. Nagar Kirtan.

Sukh-asun

See Gurdwara –Daily Routine

Vaisakhi

Vaisakhi marks the day when the 10^th Guru Guru Gobind Singh Ji founded the Khalsa (The Pure i.e. spiritually enlightened ones) in the month of Vaisakh (March/April) of 1699 in the town of Anandpur Sahib in Northern India. Code of conduct for the Sikhs was established and the Sikhs were given unique identity by keeping 5K’s. Panj Piyare (Five beloved ones) followed by many thousands were given Naam Dan (spiritual bliss) through Khande Bate Da Amrit [Nectar (Amrit) constituting of water and sugar crystals prepared during recitation of 5 Banis by stirring with the double edge sword (Khanda)  in an iron bowl (Bata)]. The Amritdhari Sikhs were referred to as “Khalsa”. The Guru Ji requested Panj Piyaras to give him Amrit so He could join the Khalsa Family. "Singh" (lion) & "Kaur" (Princess) were added to the names of the male & female Sikhs respectively.

Waheguru

Waheguru is made up of two words. “Wahe” means wonderful and “Guru” means spiritual teacher. Waheguru refers to “God”