When the topic of religion in India comes up, many Westerners tend to think about Hinduism. However, there are several other religions of note that originated in India and remain popular to this day. Sikhism, for example, is considered the world’s fifth-largest religion. In fact, data suggests more than 500,000 followers of Sikhism currently live in the United States. Still, many Westerners don’t know even the basic details surrounding this system of belief. If you’re curious to learn more, review these general facts about Sikhism.
Equality Under God
Like those of Christian and Islamic faiths, followers of Sikhism are monotheists. Sikhs believe that a single god created life and the universe. Unlike other monotheistic faiths, however, Sikhism inherently places both men and women in equal standing before their god. The religion came about after the prophet Guru Nanak told others of divine experiences he’d had. Under the teachings of Guru Nanak and subsequent prophets, Sikhism evolved as a system dedicated to the betterment of a person’s moral qualities through practices of independence and humility.
The Hair and Body
The natural world plays an important part in the customs of Sikhs. Human hair is viewed as a creation of god and treated with utmost respect. Many followers of the faith refrain from cutting their hair at all. Young boys will begin wearing a wrap called a patka when their hair reaches a length that allows it to be tied together and bound in a knot beneath the covering. As a boy reaches maturity and his hair becomes significantly long, he will wear it in a turban.
Though traditionally a practice with men, some women will also wear turbans and other wraps as a sign of their faith. Both men and women will wear a bracelet known as a kara, which is made of iron and usually unadorned. The kara is meant for members of the faith who have been officially initiated into Sikhism. A kirpan is another important symbol worn by Sikhs, and it is a type of ceremonial dagger not meant to be used as a weapon.
Places of Worship
The official holy book of Sikhism is called the Guru Granth Sahib. As with the Bible and other holy texts, it is commonplace for followers of the faith to keep a copy of the book at home. The book is also contained in each gurdwara, which is the location where Sikhs gather together for worship. Before entering holy places like a gurdwara, shoes must be removed. It is also traditional for women to wear head coverings while present.
After a service comes to a close, the congregation will then come together for langar. The langar is a potluck-style communal meal that is prepared, served, and enjoyed by the group. Usually, the meal will consist of traditional Punjabi food. Nowadays, however, it is common to find dishes from a variety of cultures during langar.
Festivals and Holidays
One of the biggest annual events for Sikhs is Vaisakhi. Held around the 13th or 14th of April, Vaisakhi is meant as an observance of a number of significant historical events that defined facts about Sikhism. The celebration predominantly refers to the creation of the order when the prophet Guru Tegh Bahadur refused to convert to Islam under Emperor Aurangzeb and was subsequently killed. Vaisakhi is also an important event in Hinduism, though for different reasons. In Hinduism, Vaisakhi marks the start of the solar New Year and is also observed by Hindus at the same time of year as Sikhs.
It can be difficult to grasp the full picture of a religion in just a short amount of time. If you’re curious to gain a better perspective, take time to dive further into the facts about Sikhism and discover how fascinating and complicated the story truly is.