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Most sacred festival in Sikhism - Guru Nanak Jayanti

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Huge number of devotees gather on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti at Tilak Vihar gurudwara, New Delhi. Guru Nanak Gurpurab also known as Guru Nanak's Prakash Utsav and Guru Nanak Jayanti, celebrates the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak. This is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism.

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NOTICE: Hey everyone! I'm taking a brief hiatus from minute faith for about a week! I'm moving my life around in a big way, and need a brief adjustment period! However, after which we'll continue, and finish, the first season of Minute Faith! The word Sikh comes from the Punjabi word meaning Disciple or Learner.

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Sikh Documentary - 500 Year Old Sikh religion [HD]

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Sikh Documentary - 500 Year Old Sikh religion [HD] Welcome to Documentary Channels, our small space in Youtube to share with you culture, society, religion, and more youtube documentaries. This time, we are going to talk about India, specifically about Sikhs and Sikhism in general.

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This is the collection of the  teachings and writings by Guru Nanak and other Gurus

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This is a picture of the celebration of Vaisakhi

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This is an example on how people celebrate the anniversary related to the lives of the Sikh gurus

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This is the Harmandir Sahib , Also known as the "Golden Temple" which is the holiest Gurdwara of Sikhism. Located in Amritsar, Punjab, India

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This is the typical dress a Sikh male would wear.

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Photo: Reuters

Three people have been arrested in connection with a sudden attack on an aged Indian general in London last weekend.

Retired Lt. Gen. Kuldeep Singh Brar, 78, was walking with his wife on Sunday night when four assailants approached him. They slashed his neck before running away, and Brar was rushed to the hospital shortly thereafter.

The attackers have so far not been identified. But there are three suspects now in custody in London: two men and one woman, all between the ages of 30 and 40, according to the BBC.

Behind this apparently random crime is a long history of sectarian violence in India. Brar's attack is likely tied to a decades-old clash that centered around Sikh separatism.

For centuries, adherents to Sikhism -- a minority religion in India - have endured sporadic conflicts with their mostly Hindu and Muslim neighbors. There have also been clashes between different Sikh communities, usually between separatist extremist groups and their more moderate compatriots.

As Sunday's attack has shown, those hostilities are still apparent today.

Brar himself is a Sikh, and he is best known for leading Indian troops into battle against a separatist Sikh group in the Punjabi city of Amritsar in 1984. There, the general participated in a military effort to flush out extremists who had gathered in the Golden Temple, the Sikhs' holiest site.

About 400 people lost their lives in the violent clash, and it didn't end there.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had ordered the strike, and many in Punjab were incensed. Gandhi herself was soon assassinated by two Sikh bodyguards, prompting violent riots across India. Thousands died in four days of mayhem.

Though 28 years have passed since then -- and Sunday's attack in London was certainly jarring -- it is no surprise that Brar is still considered a target by some extremist Sikhs.

Still, the conflict has calmed down significantly since the 1980s. Sikhs today enjoy great prominence in Indian culture. Although they make up less than 2 percent of the population according to Indian census data, they constitute a highly influential community. Punjab, where most Sikhs reside, is India's richest state. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is a Sikh, as are many army officers and government officials.

Old wounds are clearly healing, but there is still a long way to go.

And the same holds true for Brar. His neck injury was serious but not fatal, and the general was discharged from the hospital by Wednesday.

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Sikh Indian General Attacked In London In Flashback To Old Conflict

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Three people have been arrested in connection with a sudden attack on an aged Indian general in London last weekend. Retired Lt. Gen. Kuldeep Singh Brar, 78, was walking with his wife on Sunday night when four assailants approached him. They slashed his neck before running away, and Brar was rushed to the hospital shortly thereafter.

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With connivance of Badal-BJP ruling alliance, Hindu extremist organizations, motivated by their inherent hatred, are wildly active in hurting feelings of Sikhs. So many events have happened in past few weeks that indicate towards rise in this trend.

Whereas Sikh organizations are working in cautiously in democratic way in order to recognize their struggle for maintaining separate and unique Sikh identity, without giving any opportunity to anyone to nail them; the Hindu extremist organizations are proactive in committing provocative assaults on Sikhs.

Sikh organizations seem to be willing to further their cause in most possible uncontroversial way; as controversies provide opportunities to the State to crush them. But the Hindu organizations, that are struggling even to prove their negligible existence, use more provocative tactics.

Last week Hindu organizations were successful in their designs to prevent Sikhs from organizing 'Holocaust Memorial March' to observe 26 th anniversary of armed attack on Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar (in 1984), which is recognized by Sikh masses as the beginning of third holocaust of Sikh history. Many Hindu extremist organizations, including newly formed Hindu Takht Organization, Shiv Sena (Hindustan) and Hindu Surakhsha Samity issued a warning to the Punjab Government that in case the Government failed to prevent the 'Holocaust Memorial March', these Hindu outfits would themselves prevent the march at any cost. As the march was to remember those Sikhs, who laid their life for Sikh cause; Hindus opposed it. This march was later banned by Punjab Government, which asserted that the organizers, i.e. Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani), supports the ideology of Khalistan, thus it can not claim any democratic right in India. Ban was hailed by Mahasha Press as a "historic step".

On the other hand on 5 June so-called Hindu Takht Organization placed a highly provocative hoarding at Ludhiana glorifying Former Indian Army Chief, Arun Vediya, as a hero. The date, June 5, coincides the date of armed attack launched by Indian Army on Sri Darbar Sahib. Moreover highly disgraceful language was used for Sikhs killed by Indian army during June 1984, as they were termed as "terrorists" and "dariney" (evils and monsters).

On 6 June, 2010 various Hindu organizations, in order to hurt feelings of Sikhs held functions to celebrate the (so-called) victory achieved by Indian Army in "Operation Blue Star", army code name for attack on Sri Darbar Sahib. Ramayan Paaths were held by Hindus to pray for Army Men killed during attack on Holiest of Sikh shrines. It is notable that this attack (in 1984) was widely celebrated by Hindus, who distributed, in joy and happiness, sweets and intoxicants among Army personnel who killed thousands of innocent Sikh pilgrims in Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) complex.

Pawan Gupta of Shiv Sena (Hindustan) flagged clear a march, on 5 June, 2010, by Hindu extremists from Mandi Gobindgarh to Amritsar to participate in functions to be held there, by Hindu organizations to celebrate the 26 th anniversary of OBS. While talking to media persons, as per reports of Mahasha Press, Pawan Gupta called Shiv Sean workers to remain ever ready to give any sacrifice for Hindu Samaj (society). He said that Shiv Sena and Hindus would oppose any memorial for Sikhs killed by army during 'Operation Blue Star'. He said that those killed by army were "terrorists" and "killer of Hindus".

"Shiv Sena and Hindu society would celebrate 6 June as 'Victory Day against Terrorism' every year" Gupta asserted.

In a similar function held by Hindu Takht Organization (HTO) at Patiala, Sanjeev Hari, Mahamandleshwar of HTO announced that Hindu extremist from 1 July onwards HTO and other Hindu organizations would recruit 1000 Hindus, in every district of Punjab, as Hindu Rakhsha Veer (Hindu Security Personnel). He said that special training would be provided persons, so recruited.

Now, another provocative announcement is made by HTO that it would observe death anniversary of General Arun Shiridhar Vaidya, former chief of Indian Army, who led the Army during June 1984 attack on various Sikh Gurudwaras, including Sri Darbar Sahib (also known as Golden Temple, Amritsar) on 10 August 2010.

It is noteable that Badal-BJP alliance is more active in preventing Sikhs from holding public activity but is actively and continuously conniving at disruptive activities of these Hindu organizations.

No incidence of violence or threat of violence against Hindus is recorded in Punjab since many years but Rajiv Hari (HTO) maintained that it is necessary for Hindus to keep their own force ( Hindu Dharma Rakhsha Veer) as the Government has failed in protecting life, liberty and property of Hindus in Punjab. He denounced any faith in State's security forces and announced that about 20,000 persons shall be recruited by his organization, to whom special training shall be provided.

All these developments indicate towards ever-present ethnic conflict in Punjab. Vested interests of Badal-BJP alliance in suppressing peaceful and democratic activities of Sikhs and allowing Hindu organizations like HTO, Shiv Sena and Hindu Surakhsa Samity to continue with their disruptive activities would further deteriorate the situation, because ethnic conflict between Sikhs and Hindus is not a phenomenon, which could be used for political interests. Such ethnic conflict is inherent in group psyche of both the communities and its roots lies in historical hatred between Sikhs and Hindus. Opposition offered recently by India Canada Foundation, to petition moved in Canadian Parliament, seeking recognition to Sikh Genocide (1984), is another outcome of such historical hatred.

Related Topics: Ethnic Conflict in Punjab, Hindu Extremism, Hindu-Sikh Conflict, Indian Media, Khalistan, Punjab Government

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Historical Hatred between Hindus and Sikhs again haunting Punjab

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With connivance of Badal-BJP ruling alliance, Hindu extremist organizations, motivated by their inherent hatred, are wildly active in hurting feelings of Sikhs. So many events have happened in past few weeks that indicate towards rise in this trend.

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India and Pakistan have long been at odds over the borders of their countries and military conflicts between the two is nothing new.

At the center of the fighting is both nation's stake to Kashmir, which borders the Indian state of Punjab to the south.

The most recent spate over Kashmir has seen Indian troops force Sikhs to evacuate their homes in Punjab and turn the state into an army base, effectively turning the residents of the area into refugees.

On Tuesday, hundreds of Sikh Americans gathered outside the United Nations to call on the international body's Security Council to intervene and help the thousands who have been displaced as a result of the battle, as well as putting a stop to the fighting.

"These issues are being ignored," Pannun said.

The group sent a memo to the Security Council and met with Uruguay's Permanent Mission to the United Nations. Uruguay is due to hold the presidency of the U.N. Security Council for the month of January 2017.

A memo was also sent to the Security Council, stating in part "India's jingoistic war with Pakistan, which she intends to pursue at the cost of Sikh people, their lands and lives, is becoming a human tragedy of mammoth proportions."

In addition to calling for the U.N. to get involved, those there called for a referendum to be put forth which, if approved, would allow Punjab to be a separate nation, something it's been trying to accomplish for years to no avail.

Pannun believes the conflict has not received the attention it deserves in American media.

"If it doesn't affect Americans, they don't care about it," he said.

There's also the issue, he said, of India being portrayed "as a Democratic country."

The nation, he said, often blocks access to foreign journalists in an attempt to hide human atrocities such as the takeover of homes in Punjab.

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Tens of thousands of Sikhs call Queens home, but in recent weeks their minds have been back in India, where the state of Punjab has been turned into a battlefield as tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated."There is an atmosphere of fear and intimidation," said Astoria resident Gurpatwant Pannun, political advisor to Sikhs for Justice.

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God

There is only one God

God is without form, or gender

Everyone has direct access to God

Everyone is equal before God

A good life is lived as part of a community, by living honestly and caring for others

Empty religious rituals and superstitions have no value

Living in God and community

Sikhs focus their lives around their relationship with God, and being a part of the Sikh community. The Sikh ideal combines action and belief. To live a good life a person should do good deeds as well as meditating on God.

God and the cycle of life

Sikhs believe that human beings spend their time in a cycle of birth, life, and rebirth. They share this belief with followers of other Indian religious traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

The quality of each particular life depends on the law of Karma. Karma sets the quality of a life according to how well or badly a person behaved in their previous life. The only way out of this cycle, which all faiths regard as painful, is to achieve a total knowledge of and union with God.

The God of grace

Sikh spirituality is centred round this need to understand and experience God, and eventually become one with God.

To do this a person must switch the focus of their attention from themselves to God. They get this state, which is called mukti (liberation), through the grace of God. That means it's something God does to human beings, and not something that human beings can earn. However, God shows people through holy books, and by the examples of saints, the best ways to get close to him.

Sikhs believe that God can't be understood properly by human beings, but he can be experienced through love, worship, and contemplation.

Sikhs look for God both inside themselves and in the world around them. They do this to help themselves achieve liberation and union with God.

Getting close to God

When a Sikh wants to see God, they look both at the created world and into their own heart and soul.

Their aim is to see the divine order that God has given to everything, and through it to understand the nature of God.

Most human beings can't see the true reality of God because they are blinded by their own self-centred pride (Sikhs call it haumain) and concern for physical things.

God inside us

Sikhs believe that God is inside every person, no matter how wicked they appear, and so everyone is capable of change.

God beyond ourselves

Sikhs believe that God's message can be found in several ways outside ourselves.

The message is written in the whole of creation; look at it with open eyes and see the truth of God, for creation is the visible message of God

Sikhs believe that most of us misunderstand the universe. We think that it exists on its own, when it really exists because God wills it to exist, and is a portrait of God's own nature

The message has been shown to us by the Gurus in their lives and in their words

The message is set down in the teachings of scripture

Living a good life in this world

Sikhs don't think it pleases God if people pay no attention to others and simply devote themselves slavishly to religion.

Sikhism doesn't ask people to turn away from ordinary life to get closer to God. In fact it demands that they use ordinary life as a way to get closer to God.

A Sikh serves God by serving ( seva) other people every day. By devoting their lives to service they get rid of their own ego and pride.

Many Sikhs carry out chores in the Gurdwara as their service to the community. These range from working in the kitchen to cleaning the floor. The Langar, or free food kitchen, is a community act of service.

Sikhs also regard caring for the poor or sick as an important duty of service.

The three duties

The three duties that a Sikh must carry out can be summed up in three words; Pray, Work, Give.

Nam japna:
Keeping God in mind at all times.

Kirt Karna:
Earning an honest living. Since God is truth, a Sikh seeks to live honestly. This doesn't just mean avoiding crime; Sikhs avoid gambling, begging, or working in the alcohol or tobacco industries.

Vand Chhakna:
(Literally, sharing one's earnings with others) Giving to charity and caring for others.

The five vices

Sikhs try to avoid the five vices that make people self-centred, and build barriers against God in their lives.

Lust

Covetousness and greed

Attachment to things of this world

Anger

Pride

If a person can overcome these vices they are on the road to liberation.

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There is only one God God is without form, or gender Everyone has direct access to God Everyone is equal before God A good life is lived as part of a community, by living honestly and caring for others Empty religious rituals and superstitions have no value Sikhs focus their lives around their relationship with God, and being a part of the Sikh community.

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Sikhism is one of the youngest world religions in the Eastern world. It was established in 16th century India. At that time, the dominant religion of the country, Hinduism, was in conflict with one of the newest religions from the West, Islam. Sikhism developed as an alternate third path for Indians and eventually others around the world as well. (Go here for more on Hinduism and here for more on Islam.)

The name "Sikhism" comes from "Sikh," which means "a strong and able disciple."

Reflecting its religious context, Sikhism has elements of Hinduism and Islam in its beliefs, practices, and traditions. Some of its doctrines, such as certain aspects of its teaching on God, reflect Islam more than Hinduism, while other doctrines, such as karma, reflect Hinduism more than Islam. These characteristics result in a distinct religion, but one which has been heavily influenced by other faiths.

Religious Authority

The ultimate source of authority and doctrine in Sikhism is the sacred book, the Adi Granth. In the event of disputes, a council is convened at the Akal Takht ("Throne of the Timeless"), a building facing the Harimandir temple in Amritsar. Resolutions passed by this council carry spiritual sanction.

God in Sikhism

Sikhism is monotheistic, strongly emphasizing belief in one true God. Guru Nanak used the Hindu mystic syllable om as a symbol of God. He added the qualifications of God as one and creator, resulting in the ik onkar symbol. Sikhism forbids the representation of God in images and the worship of idols.

Karma and Reincarnation

Sikhism retains the general Hindu conception of the universe and the doctrine of samsara, or rebirth, based on karma. Human birth is the only chance to escape samsara and attain salvation.

Khalsa and State

Especially after conflict with the Mughal empire in Sikh history, religion and politics have been closely associated in Sikhism. Establishment of a Sikh state is a matter of religious doctrine, and all services end with the chant, "Raj karey Ga Khalsa" (the Khalsa shall rule).

Sources

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Sikhism is one of the youngest world religions in the Eastern world. It was established in 16th century India. At that time, the dominant religion of the country, Hinduism, was in conflict with one of the newest religions from the West, Islam.

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Sikhism Schisms, Splits, and Splinters

Guru Nanak traveled far and wide on mission tours around the world to spread his message of one creator and creation. The influence of the ten gurus may be found thriving among communities who over centuries split, and splintered, into schisms of mainstream Sikhism.

Seven such sects are are considered to be offshoots of Sikhism because though their are differences in ideology, there are also striking similarities. Of these seven, several profess Sikhism, yet may not become initiated as Khalsa in the Amrit ceremony. Others do not necessarily profess to be Sikhs, nor accept Guru Granth Sahib as the ultimate, and everlasting in the lineage of Sikh gurus. However all offshoot sects of Sikhism respect Gurbani, and revere Sikh scriptures.

The Happy Healthy Holy Organization (3HO) was created by Yogi Bhajan, a Sikh of Sindhi origin who came to the United States in the late 1960s​ and began teaching Kundalini yoga. He incorporated basic Sikh values into his teachings, and as well as teaching yoga, encouraged students to revere Guru Granth Sahib, keep their hair, wear white, eat a vegetarian diet, live a moral life, and be initiated into Sikhism.

Don't Miss:
3HO the Happy Healthy Holy Organization of White American Sikhs

The Namdhari sect believes that rather than appointing Guru Granth Sahib his successor at the time of his death in 1708, that Tenth Guru Gobind Singh really lived to be 146 years of age, and nominated Balak Singh of Hazro to succeed him as guru in 1812. the Namdhari succession includes Ram Singh, Hari Singh, Partap Singh, and Jagjit Singh. Ram Singh who was born in 1816 exiled from India by the British in 1872 is commonly believed by Namdharis to still be alive and is expected to return and take up his leadership role.

Namdharis revere both the Guru Granth, and Dasam Granth, and recite selections of their scriptures in daily prayers. They also believe in the three fundamentals principals of Sikhism as taught by First Guru Nanak. Namdhari means to "live beholding God's name" and meditation is key to their belief system. They are animal activists, as well as strict vegetarians and drink only rainwater, or water from a well, river, or lake.

Devout Namdharis keep their hair intact and maintain the articles of Sikh faith, wear a corded prayer mala with 108 knots. They have a distinct style dress including white oval turbans and kachhera, primarily white kurtas, but never wear black, or blue colors. They do not observe caste, and follow a code of conduct which forbids association with anyone aborting, or otherwise killing daughters, dowry exchange, or selling brides.

The Namdharis fly a white flag symbolizing Peace, Purity, Simplicity, Truth, and Unity, but respect the Sikh Nishan Sahib banner as symbolizing Sikhism. Areas of conflict with mainstream Sikhs include revering anyone one other than Guru Granth as guru, revering worship of cows, and fire ceremonies.

The Nirankari movement is based on the teachings of Baba Dyal who lived during the Reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and wrote against idolatry emphasizing Nirankar the formless aspect of the divine. The movement got is start with Gautam Singh in Rawalpindi of Punjab and has had several successors including, Darbar Singh, Sahib Rattaji, and Gurdit Singh. Their main focus has to do with the message of First Guru Nanak, without consideration to the legacy of initiation according to Tenth Guru Gobind Singh, or Guru Granth Sahib. Nirankaris recite as mantra Dhan Dhan Nirankar meaning "Blessed is the Glorious Formless One." They prohibit the use of alcohol and tobacco. They neither bury nor cremate their dead, but rather consign bodily remains to flowing river water.

Twentieth-century tensions ensued with mainstream Sikhs because of a public show of disrespect to Guru Granth Sahib by a leader of Nikali (exiled) Nirankari defectors known as Sant Nirankaris. What began as a peaceful confrontation in1978 escalated into an assault by more than five thousand armed exiled Sant Nirankaris on a few hundred unarmed Sikhs. The Nirankari clash resulted in the martyrdom of 13 Sikhs including their leader Bhai Fauja Singh.

The Nirmala Sect is thought to have originated in 1688 when Guru Gobind Singh sent Ganda Singh, Karam Singh, Sena Singh (also known as Saina Singh, or Sobha Singh), Ram Singh, and Vir Singh, disguised as sadhus from Paunta to Benaras to study Sanskrit. Following the evacuation of Anandpur in 1705, Sikh teachers, and preachers, were sent to Haridwar, Allahbad, and Varnasi to establish learning centers which still exist. Over the centuries the ideals of the tenth guru have been infiltrated by Vedic philosophy which figures highly in the sect of modern-day celibate Nirmalas, who differ from mainstream Sikhism in that although they maintain uncut hair, and beards, do not consider it compulsory to receive initiation in the Amrit ceremony. The Nirmalas generally dress in saffron, or orange, colored traditional garments, and live a quiet, studious, contemplative monastic life.

Also known as Radha Swami, and Radha Satsang, Radha Soami is a spiritual movement with a membership of about 2 million that was founded by Shiv Dayal Singh Seth in 1869. The Radha Soami Sect do not call themselves Sikhs per se, yet honor Guru Granth Sahib as their scripture. They respect Sikhism, and have never claimed their line of succession to be a Sikh guru, nor have they attempted to alter the Sikh tenets. However, Radha Soami followers are not initiated into Sikhism via the Amrit ceremony, but adhere to a vegetarian lifestyle, and abstain from intoxicants. The Radha Soami consider the human soul to be like Radha (consort of Krisna) in that the ultimate goal of life is to merge with the ultimate divine reality, or Soami.

The Sindhi Sikhs are an Urdu speaking people originally of Sindh a Provence of present day Pakistan. Though primarily Muslim, the Sindh people also Hindu, Christan, Zoroastrian, and Sikh. The Sindhi people are great respecters of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, who traveled among them during his mission tours. The Sindhi regularly take part in in festivities commemorating the birth of First Guru Nanak. For centuries it has been a common tradition for the eldest son of a Sindh family to follow Sikhism. Though a Sindhi Sikh may keep Guru Granth Sahib installed in their home, and remain dedicated to the message of Guru Nanak, they do not necessarily take part in the Amrit initiation ceremony.

The Udasi Sect originated with Baba Siri Chand, the eldest son of Guru Nanak an aesthetic celibate yogi. The Udasi although district from mainstream Sikh householders, maintained close ties with the Gurus throughout the centuries. During the era that the Khalsa were persecuted by Mughals, and were forced into hiding, Udasi leaders acted as the caretakers of the gurdwaras until such time as Sikhs regained control.

Don't Miss:
Baba Siri Chand (1494 to 1643)
Baba Siri Chand Meets Guru Raam Das
Udasi - Take Leave

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Sikhism Schisms, Splits, and Splinters Guru Nanak traveled far and wide on mission tours around the world to spread his message of one creator and creation. The influence of the ten gurus may be found thriving among communities who over centuries split, and splintered, into schisms of mainstream Sikhism.

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Sikhism | History, Doctrines, Practice, & Literature - Sects and other groups

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Sikhism - Sects and other groups: In addition to the orthodox, there are several Sikh sects, four of which are particularly important. Two sects, the Nirankaris and the Nam-Dharis, or Kuka Sikhs, emerged in northwestern Punjab during the latter part of Ranjit Singh's reign.

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Sikhism isn't monolithic-there are multiple different branches which are not recognized by the majority of Sikhs as orthodox in their teachings and beliefs. These branches include one group called the Udasi, a group of holy men that was founded by Baba Sri Chand. They are celibate and usually either nude, or wearing a yellow robe. The followers carry a begging bowl to recieve food or donations. They are similarto Hindu,and they have become active missionaries of Sikhism. (SikhiWiki.Org, 2007) http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Udasi

Another group is the Sahajdharis, ("slow adopters.") This actually encompasses several smaller sects, all of which tend to be shaven and contrary to Sikh orthodox. They have rejected the more militant teachings which were promoted by Gobind Singh, the tenth and final human Guru. (Sikhiwiki.Org, 2007)

The final group is the Keshadharis ("hair-wearers") and it also encompasses a number of smaller sects. The Nihangs are the most militant of all Sikhs - they regularly carry a arsenal of weapons and are willing to take action to defend their religion. They regard themselves as continuing in the tradition of Guru Gobind Singh's Khalsa army and live a semi-nomadic lifestyle. The Nirmalas, are much less militant than average and members tend to lead contemplative lives while secluded in monasteries. Kind of like the opposite of the Nihangs. (SikhiWiki.Org, 2007)

forum.santabanta.com

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Sikhism isn't monolithic-there are multiple different branches which are not recognized by the majority of Sikhs as orthodox in their teachings and beliefs. These branches include one group called the Udasi, a group of holy men that was founded by Baba Sri Chand. They are celibate and usually either nude, or wearing a yellow robe.

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"The Formless Supreme Being abides in the Realm of Eternity. Over His creation He casts His glance of grace. In that Realm are contained all the continents and the universes, Exceeding in number all count. Of creation worlds upon worlds abide therein; All obedient to His will; He watches over them in bliss, And has each constantly in mind."

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Map of Sikhism in Punjab , India

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Map of Sikhism in India where it is most prevalent

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This is the symbol that represents Sikhism

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Map of where Sikhism is practiced