Sikh practices

Question 1

Castes

Answer 1

Described as tribes:
- Jat
- 60%
- Came to UK after WW2 after labour demand
- Descended from farmers
- Bhatra
- Priestly caste
- Most established
- more than 30 Gurdwaras
- Ramgarhia
- Over 30 in UK
- Moved from East Africa (expelled)

Question 2

Gurdwara structures

Answer 2

• Diwan hall
• Sach Khand
• Langar hall
• 4 Doors
• ‘Door to the Guru’

Question 3

Customs and features in a Gurdwara

Answer 3

• Remove shoes
• GGS lies on Takht with Palki over it
• Romallas cover GGS when not in use
• Granthi sits behind and uses chauri fan
• Golak
• Ragis sing Kirtans
• Karah Prashad

Question 4

Forms of worship in the gurdwara

Answer 4

• Kirtan
• Gurbani
• Simran
• Ardas
• Hukam

Question 5

Prayer at home

Answer 5

• Nitnem
• Use Gutkas, translated from Gurmukhi
• Can use mala

Question 6

Akand Path

Answer 6

• 2 days of continuous readings
• Done by Pathees who shouldn’t be paid
• First done by Gobind Singh after GGS was compiled
• Langar should always be available

Question 7

Naam Karan

Answer 7

• Whisper mool mantra into ear
• Honey on lips
• Kirtan done as celebration
• Khalsa Sikh mixes amrit with double edged sword, given to baby and mother
• Granthi opens GGS at random and first letter on the page is Baby’s first letter

Question 8

Origin of Amrit Sanskar

Answer 8

• 1699, Guru Gobind Singh
• Made to resist oppression
• Panj Pyare were willing to risk their lives
• From different castes
• Mixed amrit with Khanda

Question 9

Rehat Meryada

Answer 9

Against
- dishonouring hair
- Eating kosher or halal meat
- Co-habitation
- Intoxicating substances

Should
- Pay Daswandh
- Wear 5 k’s

Question 10

Amrit Sanskar ceremony

Answer 10

• In front of GGS
• 5 Amritdhari and one Granthi
• Person should be clean with clean clothes
• Wear the five K’s
• No piercings
• Starts with Ardas then Hukam
• Khanda mixes amrit which is drank
• Takes Singh or Kaur

Question 11

Harmandir Sahib

Answer 11

• Amrit Sarovar, pool of amrit
• Akal Takht is were decisions regarding Sikhism and the community
• Covered in Gold leaf
• 4 doors
• GGS covered in gold palki
• Langar serves 50,000 a day
• Booths hold Karah Prashad, Nihang distribute amrit

Question 12

Celebrating Gurpurbs

Answer 12

• Akand Path takes place two days before
• Kirtans are sung
• Nagar Kirtan, 5 Amritdharis lead procession or parade of GGS
• Cards, Langar, Karah Prashad
• In India takes place on actual date, whereas in UK on weekends

Question 13

Hola Mahalla

Answer 13

• Practice of battle skills
• Public tournaments
• In UK more peaceful pursuits
• Kirtans and Karah Prashad

Question 14

Vaisakhi celebrations

Answer 14

• Akand path
• Nishan Sahib is replaced outside of Gurdwaras
• Usually day of Amrit Sanskar
• Nagar Kirtans

Question 15

Diwali, Bandi Chor Divas

Answer 15

• 52 Princes freed
• Celebrates Hargobind’s freedom as well as dedication to justice
• Akand Path, nagar kirtan
• Diyas or lights
• Fireworks