Sikhism Ceremony's

'Sanskars' refers to the religious ceremonies that takes place at an important stage in ones life.

The Sikhs have 4 main Sanskars in life. They are:

Naam Karan

Naam Karan refers to the ceremony in which the mother and the child are brought to the Gurudwara. The mother and the child can be brought to the Gurudwara at any time, but they should be physically fit. After the Ardas and Hukamnama
a letter is given to the parents of the new child.

Amrit Sanchar



Sanchar is the Sikh ceremony of initiation. This practice started since 1469 - 1539, the times of Guru Nanak Dev. During that time - period, this ceremony was known as Charan Amrit, Charan Phul or the Pag Pahul. Thus in the year 1699, the Khande di Pahul (Amrit ceremony) was initiated by Guru Gobind Singh when Khalsa was inaugurated at Sri Anandpur Sahib on the day of Baisakhi. "Khande Di Pahul" promises connection with the Guru, along with promotes the ability to lead a pure life.

Anand Karaj

Anand Karaj refers to the marriage ceremony of the sikhs. The ceremony was initiated by Guru Amar Das Ji. The ceremony takes place in the Gurudwara, in which the couple bind's with each other and consists of four Lavan's. It ceremony is now governed by the Sikh Rehat Maryada, issued by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC). Also , Sikhs cannot marry persons of other religions. However, in practice, many Sikhs take preference in people from their caste.



Antam Sanskar

Sanskar is the funeral ceremony. Death is to be considered as a natural process and God's will. For a Sikh, birth and death are associated to each other. It also means "coming and going" which is a stage towards Liberation, complete unity with God. Death is the only progression of the soul on its journey from God. In life, a Sikh always tries to constantly remember death, to break the cycle of birth and death and return to God.

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Chanani

Chanani in the Gurudwara is normally a covering made of cloth which is very much embroidered and decorated. It covers the Palki marks respect to the Guru. Thus this rectangular covering is known as Chanani, and is placed in the darbar sahib over the Palki and Guru Grant Sahib Ji. This Chanani is held high by 4 posts.

Manji Sahib

The term Manji sahib is used by the Sikh's for the small bed on which the Holy Sikh Scriptures, Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is placed during the day in the Darbar Sahib of the Gurdwara.

Rumalla Sahib

Rumalla refers to the cloth material that is used to cover the Guru Granth Sahib ji in the Gurdwara (Sikh temple) when it is not being read. Rumallas are also sometimes brought as gifts by the people for their GURU.

Palki

Palki is, where the Guru resides, when the Guru is carried from one place to another. The Guru Granth Sahib ji is placed on the Manji Sahib, a raised platform covered by the Palki. The Guru Granth Sahib ji is covered by a piece of beautiful material called a Rumalla and flowers are placed around the Palki.

Nishan Sahib

Nishan Sahib is the external distinguishing mark of the Gurudwara. Nishan Sahib depicts the presence of Gurudwara at a particular place.

Golak

Golak is a systematic & formal financial management system in the Gurudwara. The Gurdwara management team, on behalf of Guru Granth Sahib ji, manages the accounts, expenditures, donations & gifts of the Gurudwara and by the Gurudwara.

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The Guru's Throne

As u enter the Gurdwara, at the front, in the center is located the Guru's Takhat in the Darbar Hall. U will see the Guru grant sahib ji immediately. It is the central feature of the Gurdwara.

The essential features of the Guru's throne are the:

* Chanani
* Manji sahib
* Palki sahib
* Rumalla and small pillows
* Chaur sahib
* Golak
* Nishan sahib

The Guru

Sikhs treat Guru Granth Sahib Ji, not only as the holy book of the sikhs but as a eleventh Guru, as said by Guru Gibind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of the sikhs. The Guru teaches that there is only One GOD, and one should spend a truthful living.

'Worship' in Sikhism dedicates the path set in the Guru Granth Sahib ji, of a sikhs life. This way of life is different from that normally followed by and understood by ordinary people. 'Worship' means to follow what is said by the GOD, living with the norms of the 'True Lord', to have respect for God in one's own mind and following the instruction outlined in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, by:

* Listening
* Reciting
* Understanding
* Believing
* Serving

The mind of a Sikh also serves as a place of worship. Worship ends only after the soul leaves the body, that means when the person dies and becomes a part of the 'Eternal Spirit'. And if worship is true, and is done by true heart then it goes with u even after a person dies.

The Sikhs dont worship any person who resides in any specific temple or holy place, but believe in the words and the teachings as said by the ten Gurus, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the 'One True God'. A sikh do not follow any rituals, but follows only the path set by Guru Granth Sahib Ji that is 'the path of truthful living'.

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