Sikhism

==Observances==
{{See also|Sikh rites}}
[[File:InsideSikhGurdwara.jpg|thumb|The [[Darbar Sahib Hall|Darbar Sahib]] of a [[Gurdwara]]]]
Observant Sikhs adhere to long-standing practices and traditions to strengthen and express their faith. The daily recitation of the divine name of God VaheGuru and from a memory of specific passages from the Gurū Granth Sāhib, like the ''Japu'' (or ''Japjī'', literally ''chant'') hymns is recommended immediately after rising and bathing. Baptized Sikhs recite the five-morning prayers, the evening and night prayer. Family customs include both reading passages from the scripture and attending the [[gurdwara]] (also ''gurduārā'', meaning ''the doorway to God''; sometimes transliterated as ''Gurudwara''). There are many gurdwaras prominently constructed and maintained across India, as well as in almost every nation where Sikhs reside. Gurdwaras are open to all, regardless of religion, background, caste, or race.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

Worship in a gurdwara consists chiefly of the singing of passages from the scripture. Sikhs will commonly enter the gurdwara, touch the ground before the holy scripture with their foreheads. The recitation of the eighteenth century ''[[ardās]]'' is also customary for attending Sikhs. The ardās recalls past sufferings and glories of the community, invoking divine grace for all humanity.<ref name="p260">{{cite book |last=Parrinder |first=Geoffrey |author-link=Geoffrey Parrinder |date=1971 |title=World Religions: From Ancient History to the Present |publisher=[[Hamlyn (publisher)|Hamlyn]] |location=London |isbn=978-0-87196-129-7|page=260}}</ref>

The gurdwara is also the location for the historic Sikh practice of "[[Langar (Sikhism)|Langar]]" or the community meal. All gurdwaras are open to anyone of any faith for a free meal, always vegetarian.<ref>Cole, William Owen; Sambhi, Piara Singh (1995), ''The Sikhs: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices'', Sussex Academic Press, {{ISBN|978-1-898723-13-4}}, p. 148</ref> People eat together, and the kitchen is maintained and serviced by Sikh community volunteers.<ref>{{cite book |first=Mark |last=McWilliams |title=Food & Material Culture: Proceedings of the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery 2013|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yj8QDgAAQBAJ |date=2014 |publisher=Oxford Symposium |isbn=978-1-909248-40-3|page=265}}</ref>

===Sikh festivals/events===
[[Guru Amar Das]] chose festivals for celebration by Sikhs like [[Vaisakhi]], wherein he asked Sikhs to assemble and share the festivities as a community.<ref name="ColeSambhi1995p135">{{cite book |first1=William Owen |last1=Cole |first2=Piara Singh |last2=Sambhi |title=The Sikhs: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zIC_MgJ5RMUC&pg=PA135 |date=1995 |publisher=Sussex Academic Press |isbn=978-1-898723-13-4 |pages=135–136 |quote=Since the time of Guru Amar Das it has been customary for Sikhs to assemble before their Guru. }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Kathleen |last=Kuiper |title=The Culture of India |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=c8PJFLeURhsC&pg=PA127|date=2010 |publisher=Rosen |isbn=978-1-61530-149-2|page=127}}</ref>

Vaisakhi is one of the most important festivals of Sikhs, while other significant festivals commemorate the birth, lives of the Gurus and Sikh martyrs. Historically, these festivals have been based on the moon calendar [[Bikrami calendar]].<ref name=nesbittbc>{{cite book |first=Eleanor |last=Nesbitt |title=Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XebnCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA122 |date=2016 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-874557-0 |pages=122–123 |access-date=6 March 2017 |archive-date=15 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415073742/https://books.google.com/books?id=XebnCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA122 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2003, the [[SGPC]], the Sikh organisation in charge of upkeep of the historical gurdwaras of Punjab, adopted [[Nanakshahi]] calendar.<ref name=nesbittbc/> The new calendar is highly controversial among Sikhs and is not universally accepted. Sikh festivals include the following:
* [[Vaisakhi]] which includes Parades and Nagar Kirtan and occurs on 13 April or 14 April. Sikhs celebrate it because on this day, which fell on 30 March 1699, the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, inaugurated the [[Khalsa]], the 11th body of Guru Granth Sahib and leader of Sikhs until eternity.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
** [[Nagar Kirtan]] involves the processional singing of holy hymns throughout a community. While practiced at any time, it is customary in the month of Visakhi (or Vaisakhi). Traditionally, the procession is led by the saffron-robed Panj Piare (the five beloved of the Guru), who are followed by the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy Sikh scripture, which is placed on a float.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
{{wide image|Yuba City Nagar Kirtan 2011.jpg|760px|[[Nagar Kirtan]] crowd listening to [[Kirtan]] at [[Yuba City, California]].}}
* Band Chor Diwas has been another important Sikh festival in its history.<ref>{{cite book |first=Arvind-Pal Singh |last=Mandair |title=Sikhism: A Guide for the Perplexed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vdhLAQAAQBAJ |date=2013 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-1-4411-0231-7 |pages=128–130 |access-date=16 May 2016 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308160619/https://books.google.com/books?id=vdhLAQAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> In recent years, instead of Diwali, the post-2003 calendar released by SGPC has named it the [[Bandi Chhor Divas]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Eleanor |last=Nesbitt |title=Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=4ysRDAAAQBAJ |date=2016 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-106276-6 |pages=6, 124}}</ref> Sikhs celebrate [[Guru Hargobind]]'s release from the [[Gwalior Fort]], with several innocent [[Raja]]s (kings) who were also imprisoned by Mughal Emperor [[Jahangir]] in 1619. This day continues to be commemorated on the same day of Hindu festival of [[Diwali]], with lights, fireworks and festivities.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}
* [[Hola Mohalla]] is a tradition started by Guru Gobind Singh. It starts the day after Sikhs celebrate [[Holi]],<ref name="McLeod2009p95">{{cite book |first=W. H. |last=McLeod |title=The A to Z of Sikhism|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=vgixwfeCyDAC&pg=PA95|date=2009|publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-6344-6|page=95}}</ref> sometimes referred to as ''Hola''.<ref name="Roy2005p192">{{cite book |first=Christian |last=Roy |title=Traditional Festivals: A Multicultural Encyclopedia |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=IKqOUfqt4cIC&pg=PA192 |date=2005 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-57607-089-5 |pages=192–193}}</ref> Guru Gobind Singh modified Holi with a three-day [[Hola Mohalla]] extension festival of martial arts. The extension started the day after the Holi festival in [[Anandpur Sahib]], where Sikh soldiers would train in mock battles, compete in horsemanship, athletics, archery and military exercises.<ref>{{cite book | first1=James K. Jr. |last1=Wellman |first2=Clark |last2=Lombardi |title=Religion and Human Security: A Global Perspective|url= https://archive.org/details/religionandh_xxxx_2012_000_10856028 |url-access=registration|date=2012|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-982775-6|pages=[https://archive.org/details/religionandh_xxxx_2012_000_10856028/page/n125 112] note 18}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Nikky-Guninder |last=Kaur Singh |title=Sikhism: An Introduction|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=e0ZmAXw7ok8C&pg=PA93|date=2011 |publisher=[[I.B. Tauris]] |location=London / New York |isbn=978-1-84885-321-8|pages=93–94}}</ref>
* [[Gurpurb]]s are celebrations or commemorations based on the lives of the Sikh Gurus. They tend to be either birthdays or celebrations of Sikh martyrdom. All ten Gurus have Gurpurbs on the Nanakshahi calendar, but it is Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh who have a gurpurb that is widely celebrated in Gurdwaras and Sikh homes. The martyrdoms are also known as a Shaheedi Gurpurbs, which mark the martyrdom anniversary of [[Guru Arjan]] and [[Guru Tegh Bahadur]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}}

===Ceremonies and customs===
[[File:Sikh wedding.jpg|thumb|[[Sikh wedding]]]]
[[File:Sikh funeral procession. Mandi, Himachel Pradesh.jpg|thumb|Sikh funeral procession, [[Mandi, Himachal Pradesh|Mandi]], [[Himachal Pradesh]]]]

Khalsa Sikhs have also supported and helped develop major pilgrimage traditions to sacred sites such as Harmandir Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patna Sahib, Hazur Nanded Sahib, Hemkund Sahib and others.<ref name="Oberoi1994p68">{{cite book |first=Harjot |last=Oberoi |title=The Construction of Religious Boundaries: Culture, Identity, and Diversity in the Sikh Tradition |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=1NKC9g2ayJEC |date=1994 |publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]] |isbn=978-0-226-61592-9 |pages=43–49, 68, 327–328}}</ref> Sikh pilgrims and Sikhs of other sects customarily consider these as holy and a part of their ''Tirath''.<ref name="Ferrari2011p48">{{cite book |first=Ron |last=Geaves |editor-first=Fabrizio |editor-last=Ferrari |title=Health and Religious Rituals in South Asia: Disease, Possession and Healing|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=OyKFM2qrNUEC&pg=PA48|date=2011 |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |location=Abingdon-on-Thames, England |isbn=978-1-136-84629-8|pages=48–51}}</ref> The [[Hola Mohalla]] around the festival of [[Holi]], for example, is a ceremonial and customary gathering every year in [[Anandpur Sahib]] attracting over 100,000 Sikhs.<ref>{{cite book |first=Gene R. |last=Thursby |title=The Sikhs |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=PNsIoNN5ie8C&pg=PA17 |date=1992 |publisher=Brill Academic |isbn=978-90-04-09554-0 |pages=17–18}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first1=W. O. |last1=Cole |first2=Piara Singh |last2=Sambhi |title=Sikhism and Christianity: A Comparative Study|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=G8KMCwAAQBAJ |date=2016|publisher=Springer |isbn=978-1-349-23049-5|pages=134–135, 168}}</ref> Major Sikh temples feature a ''[[sarovar]]'' where some Sikhs take a customary dip. Some take home the [[Sacred waters|sacred water]] of the tank particularly for sick friends and relatives,<ref name=singha7>{{cite book |first=H. S. |last=Singha |title=The Encyclopedia of Sikhism |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=gqIbJz7vMn0C&pg=PA7 |date=2000 |publisher=Hemkunt Press |isbn=978-81-7010-301-1 |pages=7, 16, 27}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first1=Nikky-Guninder |last1=Kaur Singh |title=Sikhism |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=k0s2dUUMHbkC&pg=PA101 |date=2004 |publisher=Infobase |isbn=978-1-4381-1779-9 |pages=100–101}}</ref> believing that the waters of such sacred sites have restorative powers and the ability to purify one's ''karma''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Thursby |first=Gene R. |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=PNsIoNN5ie8C&pg=PA17 |title=The Sikhs |publisher=Brill Academic |date=1992 |isbn=978-90-04-09554-0 |pages=14–15}}</ref><ref group="lower-roman">The Sikh scripture contains verses which have been literally interpreted as relevant to pilgrimage and taking dips in waters for salvific value; some criticize it (AG 358, 75); others support it (AG 623–624).</ref><ref name="singha7" /> The various Gurus of Sikhism have had different approaches to pilgrimage.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Louis E. |last1=Fenech |first2=W. H. |last2=McLeod |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA5 |title=Historical Dictionary of Sikhism |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |location=Lanham, Maryland |date=2014 |isbn=978-1-4422-3601-1 |pages=5–6, 29, 60–61}}</ref>

Upon a child's birth, the Guru Granth Sahib is opened at a random point and the child is named using the first letter on the top left hand corner of the left page. All boys are given the last name [[Singh]], and all girls are given the last name [[Kaur]] (this was once a title which was conferred on an individual upon joining the [[Khalsa]]).<ref>{{cite book |last=Loehlin|first=Clinton Herbert|date=1964 |orig-year=1958 |edition=2nd |title=The Sikhs and Their Scriptures |publisher=Lucknow Publishing |page=42}}</ref>

The Sikh marriage ritual includes the ''[[Anand Karaj|anand kāraj]]'' ceremony.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Nikky-Guninder |last1=Kaur Singh |title=The Birth of the Khalsa: A Feminist Re-Memory of Sikh Identity |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=IsYucLFfEIsC&pg=PA189 |date=2005 |publisher=[[State University of New York Press]] |location=Albany |isbn=978-0-7914-6583-7 |page=189 |quote=The name of the wedding ceremony, anand karaj (anand=bliss, karaj=event), is derived from Guru Amar Das's rapturous hymn Anand (bliss) and institutionalized by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das.}}</ref><ref name="Ruether2006p700">{{cite book |first1=Rosemary |last1=Skinner Keller |first2=Rosemary |last2=Radford Ruether |first3=Marie |last3=Cantlon |title=Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=WPILfbtT5tQC&pg=PA700 |date=2006 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-34687-2 |page=700}}</ref> The marriage ceremony is performed in front of the Guru Granth Sahib by a baptized Khalsa, Granthi of the Gurdwara.<ref name="HaarKalsi2009p10"/><ref name="fenech33" /> The tradition of circling the Guru Granth Sahib and Anand Karaj among Khalsa is practised since the fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das. Its official recognition and adoption came in 1909, during the [[Singh Sabha Movement]].<ref name="fenech33">{{cite book |first1=Louis E. |last1=Fenech |first2=W. H. |last2=McLeod |title=Historical Dictionary of Sikhism |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA220 |date=2014 |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |location=Lanham, Maryland |isbn=978-1-4422-3601-1|pages=33–34, 220}}</ref>

Upon death, the body of a Sikh is usually cremated. If this is not possible, any respectful means of disposing the body may be employed. The ''kīrtan sōhilā'' and ''ardās'' prayers are performed during the funeral ceremony (known as ''[[Antam Sanskar|antim sanskār]]'').<ref>{{cite web |url= http://sgpc.net/sikhism/antam-sanskar.asp |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20020406164549/http://sgpc.net/sikhism/antam-sanskar.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 April 2002 |title=Sikh Reht Maryada – Funeral Ceremonies (Antam Sanskar) |access-date=8 June 2006 }}</ref>

===Initiation and the Khalsa===

[[Khalsa]] (meaning "pure and sovereign") is the collective name given by Guru Gobind Singh to those Sikhs who have been fully initiated by taking part in a ceremony called ''[[ammrit sañcār]]'' (nectar ceremony).<ref name="SinghFenech2014p23" /> During this ceremony, sweetened water is stirred with a double-edged sword while liturgical prayers are sung; it is offered to the initiating Sikh, who ritually drinks it.<ref name="SinghFenech2014p23">{{cite book |first1=Pashaura |last1=Singh |first2=Louis E. |last2=Fenech |title=The Oxford Handbook of Sikh Studies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7YwNAwAAQBAJ |date=2014 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-100411-7 |pages=23–24 |access-date=16 May 2016 |archive-date=8 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308160518/https://books.google.com/books?id=7YwNAwAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> Many Sikhs are not formally and fully initiated, as they do not undergo this ceremony, but do adhere to some components of Sikhism and identify as Sikhs. The initiated Sikh, who is believed to be [[Dvija#The meaning of the two births|reborn]], is referred to as [[Amritdhari]] or Khalsa Sikh, while those who are not initiated or baptised are referred to as Kesdhari or Sahajdhari Sikhs.<ref name="SinghFenech2014p23" /><ref>{{cite book |first1=Louis E. |last1=Fenech |first2=W. H. |last2=McLeod |title=Historical Dictionary of Sikhism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ |date=2014 |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield]] |location=Lanham, Maryland |isbn=978-1-4422-3601-1 |pages=84–85 |access-date=16 May 2016 |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817161136/https://books.google.com/books?id=xajcAwAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The first time that this ceremony took place was on [[Vaisakhi]], which fell on 30 March 1699 at [[Anandpur Sahib]] in Punjab.<ref name="SinghFenech2014p23" /> It was on that occasion that Gobind Singh baptised the [[Panj Piare|Pañj Piārē]] – the five beloved ones, who in turn baptised Guru Gobind Singh himself. To males who initiated, the last name Singh, meaning "lion", was given, while the last name Kaur, meaning "princess", was given to baptised Sikh females.<ref name="SinghFenech2014p23" />

Baptised [[Sikhs]] wear five items, called the [[Five Ks]] (in Punjabi known as ''pañj kakkē'' or ''pañj kakār''), at all times. The five items are: ''[[Kesh (Sikhism)|kēs]]'' (uncut hair), ''[[Kanga (Sikhism)|kaṅghā]]'' (small wooden comb), ''[[Kara (Sikhism)|kaṛā]]'' (circular steel or iron bracelet), ''[[Kirpan|kirpān]]'' (sword/dagger), and ''[[Kaccha|kacchera]]'' (special undergarment).<ref name="SinghFenech2014p23" /> The Five Ks have both practical and symbolic purposes.<ref>{{cite book |last=Simmonds |first=David |date=1992 |title=Believers All: A Book of Six World Religions |publisher=[[Nelson Thornes]] |location=Cheltenham, England |isbn=978-0-17-437057-4 |pages=120–121}}</ref>