Welcome to Gurdwara Guru Nanak Sat Sangat of California. A Gurdwara is the place where Sikhs come together for congregational worship. There are about 1500 Gurdwaras worldwide. The first Gurdwara in the world was built by Guru Nanak Devji in 1521-2 at Kartarpur – Punjab - India.
Gurdwara Sahib – the house of Holy Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The holy book is written, composed and complied by the Sikh Gurus themselves which is worshiped by every Sikh devotee. The Sikh Temple, symbol of freedom and spiritual independence for all devotees. In Sikhism it is a place to meditate, to offer prayers to the almighty –Akal Purakh who runs this whole universe. Every human being is welcomed in Gurdwara Sahib to get the blessings of almighty. No discrimination is done on the basis of caste, colour or creed in the Sikh Religion. There are thousands of Gurdwara Sahibs all around the world and many of them do have a relation to the History.
Sikhism was founded in the Punjab, India by Guru Nanak Devji and is a monotheistic religion. Sikhs think religion should be practiced by living in the world and coping with life's everyday problems. The Sikh faith began around 1500 CE and the essence of this religion is to help everyone in need. Nine Gurus followed Guru Nanak Devji and developed the Sikh faith and community over the next centuries.
History of the Sikh Religion:
Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh religion, was born in village Talwandi (now called Nankana Sahib), located near Lahore in Pakistan. The Sikh religion was developed over a period of two centuries, from the birth of Guru Nanak in 1469 to the death of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh guru, in 1708. Each guru took an active part in meeting worldly duties while leading an exemplary spiritual life.
Guru Gobind Singh gave a distinctive identity to the Sikhs as the Khalsa (the Pure Ones) by starting the Sikh baptism ceremony on Baisakhi day – April 13, 1699. This distinct identity is represented by the following five symbols, popularly known as five K’s:
• Kes (uncut hair)
• Kangha (a small wooden comb)
• Kara (a steel bracelet)
• Kachhehra (pair of shorts) and
• Kirpan (a small ceremonial sword).
Guru Gobind Singh led many battles against injustice and to preserve Sikhism. Before his death in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh declared that there would be no moreliving gurus. He also ordered that henceforth “Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scriptures, shall be the Guru of the Sikhs, and advised them to seek guidance (spiritual and temporal) from these scriptures.”
Within 100 years of the creation of the Khalsa, the Sikhs, under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, established a dominant kingdom in North Western India. The Sikh empire lasted for half a century and was annexed by the British in 1849.
Additional Links for Sikh History:
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