Facts About Sikhism

Sikhism was established almost 500 years ago and is considered as the fifth – largest organised religion in the entire world. It has approximately 30 million followers all over the world. Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev in the 15th century in the area of Punjab (India). The religion is considered as a monotheistic. The foundation of the religion is on the phrase “IkOnkar” which means “One God”.Although the religion is five hundred years old, yet it is a progressive one. It was quite ahead of time in ideologies, even during the time of its inception. The religion believed in the equality of each and every human being.The Guru Granth Sahib (Scripture) is considered as the living Guru and is worshipped by the Sikhs as the symbol of the Guru. Guru Gobind Singh was the last living Guru in human form for the Sikhs.

Important Facts about Sikhism

There are many facts about Sikhism which makes this religion unique in its own way. Some interesting Sikhism facts are listed below which many of you may not be aware of.

• The concept of God is completely different in Sikhism.One among many Sikhism facts which make the religion unique is that in the Gurumukhi script, God is “AkaalPurkh” and also “Nirakar” and so has no gender.
• Sikhs are respected throughout the history as they have sacrificed their lives for the cause of humanity. The Sikh community has fought not only for the people belonging to Sikhism but for the other religions, so that people may have the right to worship their own God.
• Guru Gobind Singh Jicreated Khalsa, a spiritual brotherhood as well as sisterhood. It is devoted to purity of thought and action. Khalsa was created to remind the Sikhs about their commitment towards humanity and also to maintain the state of consciousness.
• The universal symbol used by the Sikhs is the Khanda which is a double -edged sword. This sword is flanked by two daggers and they represent spiritual as well as worldly powers, which are surrounded by the oneness of God.
• One among the many facts about Sikhism is that the wearing of turban is not a social custom rather a mandatory one and is a part of faith.Sikh men and women always cover their head to show their respect towards the religion.
• Sikhs never cut their hair and coil it on the top of their head, which is the solar centre (varies in man and woman). This channels the radiant energy of the individual and helps to maintain spiritual focus.
• A true Sikh always wears five articles as ordered by Guru Gobind Singh. These articles are represented as Five Ks:Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kachera and Kripan. Now- a-days most of the Sikhs wear at least one or more of the five Ks but those who have taken a ritual similar to baptism, more commonly known as amrit, wear all the five articles.

It is an interesting Sikhism fact that even the traditional greetings of Sikhs also reveal the belief of Guru Nanak that there is no religion but only God. “Sat Sri Akal”, one of the common Sikh greeting means “Immortal God is the truth”.