SikhismA progressive religion founded over 500 years ago with a simple message of truthful living. A practical faith of hope and optimism. It shows mankind how to lead a worthy and useful life and respect each other as equals. It encourages us to see beyond our differences and work together for peace and harmony. It ranks fifth among the main religions and there are around 24 million Sikhs world-wide.

A Sikh is a person who believes in One God and the teachings of the Ten Gurus enshrined in the Holy Scriptures - “Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji”.

Ç The Ten Sikh Gurus Ç

GURU NANAK DEV GURU ANGAD DEV GURU AMAR DAS GURU RAM DAS GURU ARJAN DEV

GURU HARGOBINDGURU HAR RAIGURU HARKRISHANGURU TEG BAHADURGURU GOBIND SINGH

GURUGURU

GU

DARKNESSIGNORANCE

RU

DIVINE LIGHTKNOWLEDGE

RU

DIVINE LIGHTKNOWLEDGE

Guru Nanak founded the Sikh Religion in 1469

All Human Beings are equal irrespective of caste, creed, colour, race, gender, religion

or nationality

There is only One God, The All Mighty Creator who is The

Eternal Truth “WAHEGURU”

*********

Guru Nanak with Bhai Mardana & Bhai Bala

Guru Nanak’s lifetime companions were a Muslim & a Hindu. He preached secularism & strongly advocated

respect & tolerance of all faiths.

Langar - Free community Kitchen

The institution of Langar started by Guru Nanak translates the principal of equality, sharing and oneness of all humankind into

practice

Guru Angad Dev - The Second Nanak

Guru Angad introduced a new alphabet called

“GURMUKHI” by modifying the old Panjabi script and it

became the script of the masses. Education no longer remained the

privilege of the few elite but became accessible

to all.

Guru Amar Das - The Third Nanak

Guru Amar Das used to refuse his

audience to anyone who had not eaten in

the Langar first. Even Akbar, The

Emperor of India, had to sit and dine with

common people before he could meet

the Guru.

Guru Ram Das - The Fourth Nanak

He had the SAROVAR (The Holy Pool) excavated and

established a city around it which was named after him as Chak Ramdas. The name changed to

Ramdas Pur and finally came to be known as “AMRITSAR”

Guru Arjan Dev - The Fifth Nanak

Guru Arjan Dev oversaw the building of Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple).

He also compiled The Adi Granth which included the teachings of first five Gurus & that of many Hindu & Muslim Saints. It graced the Harmandir Sahib for the very first time in 1604.

He sacrificed his life for upholding human rights & freedom of worship.

Guru Hargobind - The Sixth Nanak

He also built THE AKAL TAKHAT

Guru Hargobind introduced the concept of authority both

“MIRI Temporal” &“PIRI Spiritual” into the faith

**********Diwali “BANDI CHOR” (Festival

of Lights) is celebrated in honour of Guru Hargobind’s arrival at

Golden Temple after his release from internment at Gwalier Jail along with 52 Hindu Rajas &

Princes **********

Guru Har Rai – The Seventh Nanak

• Guru Har Rai gave lectures on the writings of the Gurus. He ate simple food which was earned by the labour of his

own hands. • Followers from far would come to Kiratpur to seek the blessings of Guru Har Rai.

The Guru spread the message of Sikhism through

sending out disciples to eastern India, to Rajasthan

and to Delhi.

Guru Harkrishan – The Eighth Nanak

Guru Harkrishan was the son of Guru Har Rai. Hesucceeded his father as Guru at the age of fiveyears. Guru Harkrishan healed many people of smallpoxbut died of the diseasewhen he was only eight years old (1656 - 1664)

Guru Teg Bahadur - The Ninth Nanak

Guru Teg Bahadur stood up for the

rights of all humanity against the tyranny of the

political masters of the day and in

doing so had to sacrifice his life.

Guru Gobind Singh - The Tenth Nanak

Guru Gobind Singh introduced the concept of

“SAINT - SOLDIER”**********

He enunciated Amrit Sanchar (Baptism

Ceremony) & founded the Khalsa Brotherhood

**********He completed & ordained Guru Granth as the living Guru of Sikhs for all times