Welcome to SikhiWiki,

• 1000's Sikh Names
• The 10 Sikh Gurus
• Learn about Sikhi
• Online Tutorials!

• Biographical
• Gurdwaras
• Sikhi Terms
• Scriptures

• Practices
• Websites
• History
• Media

• Places
• Sakhis
• Beliefs
• News

Introduction · Searching · Editing · Questions

A–Z Categories · Featured content · A–Z index · Help

Footprint in stone, believed to be that of Guru Nanak. Chungtang, North Sikkim

In his lifetime Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion travelled to distant places and one such place was Tibet.

The Guru is well respected by Tibetan Buddhists who consider him a saint; the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Buddhists in Tibet, has confirmed it in his discussions with some Sikh leaders that Tibetans revere Guru Nanak as a Buddhist saint under the name of Guru Gompka Maharaj.

According to the local legends of North Sikkim, some people approached the respected Guru with an appeal for help. The lake had remained frozen during most of the year and rendered it incapable as a source of water.

Guru Nanak Dev ji is said to have touched the lake with his foot, and it has never frozen since. Guru Nanak's footprints, a robe and a water-carrying utensil are preserved in a nearby place called Lachen Gompha. Here the locals refer to the Guru as Rimpoche Nanak Guru who on his way to Tibet had rested there. .....More

When Farid ji was just a few years old, his mother taught him his prayers. The boy asked what was gained by his prayers. His mother replied 'sugar'.

Accordingly, she used to hide some sugar under his prayer-carpet, and when he had finished his prayers, she would draw the mat forth, and give the sugar to Farid as a reward for his devotion.

On one occasion, when his mother was absent, he prayed a great deal, and, it is said, a great supply of sugar - a miraculous gift from God - was found under his carpet. Some he ate himself and the rest he gave to his playfellows. He related the circumstance to his mother on her return. It was then his mother gave him the surname Shakar Ganj, meaning a "treasury of sugar".

There are 134 hymns of Sheikh Farid incorporated in the Guru Granth Sahib. Many Sikh scholars ascribe them to Farid Shakarganj (1173 – 1265) of Pak Pattan, a disciple of the Sufi Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. The tenth in succession to his post was Shaikh Brahm (Ibrahim), also known as Farid Sani or Farid the 2nd, and it is this Farid who Guru Nanak Dev ji met on two occasions. .....More

Did you know...

Gurdwara San Sahib, Basarke

• .....that at Gurdwara San Sahib situated in the village of Basarke in Amritsar District, Punjab, India, Baba Buddha made a hole in the wall so as not to go against the Guru's note on the door that said, "He who opens this door is no Sikh of mine, nor am I his Guru."

• .....that the Sikhs believe that all life, including human life, comes from God. God is the Creator of the universe and the force that keeps it in existence.

• .....that for the Sikhs, the final goal of life is to reunite or merge with God (Mukti). The Sikh Gurus taught that to achieve this goal it was important to work hard at developing positive human qualities which lead the soul closer to God.

• ..... that the Sikh concept of Sarbaht dah Phahla which means "Blessings for Everyone" or literally "May everyone Prosper" is a new concept for many people and is not common knowledge for many followers of the Sikh religion.

The Guru and Sangat crossing the Sarsa River

"When the Mughal forces laid siege around Anandpur Sahib, many Singhs deserted the Guru, including the 40 Singhs who later became the 40 Muktas. Guru Gobind Singh asked Bibi Basant Kaur if she wanted to leave the fort, as there would be terrible hardships in the coming months. However Bibi Jee politely declined, saying that she would not leave her Guru whatever the circumstances.

After some months of real difficulties and hunger, Guru Gobind Singh Jee decided to leave Anandpur Sahib at the request of his Sikhs. Evading the Mughal forces, the Guru and his Sikhs reached the River Sirsa. It was the winter months, and due to the cold weather and fast flowing river current, the Sikhs got scattered. Guru Gobind Singh Jee, Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh got separated from Mata Gujjer Kaur (Mata Gujri), Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh.

Bibi Basant Kaur was with Mata Gujjer Kaur at this critical time, leading Mata Jee's horse through the River Sarsa. Mata Jee's horse led her to the other side of the river, but Bibi Basant Kaur got swept away by the cold but rapidly flowing river water. As the river carried her for some distance, she fell unconscious due to the horrendously cold water. Finally her body was washed up on the side of the riverbank. ....More

Sikhi Helpline: If you have any queries or you have any problems or you require help with any issues relating to Sikhi principles or a more deeper understanding of Sikh values or any other matter connected with this faith, we are happy to help you with any issues that concern you in this respect - just click here.

Click here to view or join SikhiWiki facebook.

Click here to view or join SikhiWiki Orkut .

Guru Gobind Singh

Daulat Rai, an Arya Samajist was living in India during the late 1800's and the early part of 1900's.

He was so disturbed by the publication of books by some Hindu activists whose writings maligned the Sikh Gurus that he was forced to pick up the pen himself. The now famous book: "Sahib-e-Kamal (par excellence) Guru Gobind Singh" was written by him.

In his book he reminded Punjabi and Hindus of the humiliation and degradation to which their ancestors were subjected under Mughal rule before the Khalsa liberated them. Quoting various historical sources, he wrote:

Not only did Mughal invaders kill Hindus by the thousands, looted their properties and carried away men and women as slaves in the thousands, but also under some Muslim rulers Hindus were not allowed even the comforts of life like -- good clothes, good food, ride horses, wear turbans or keep good homes or valuables or even beautiful children or wives. .....More

A keen gardener carves out a beautiful Khanda in green vegetation
Jas Kaur on Flickr

Sikh-Briton World War II Hero Laid To Rest
	Harnam Singh distinguished himself through his bravery as a tank gunner with the 8th King George V Own Light Cavalry during the Burmese campaign during World War II. Described as a pillar of the community, both in Leicester and his native Punjab, Harnam died last month, aged 84..... → read more

Special train to Sikh holy places to be launched
	Eyeing to tap the large number of domestic and foreign tourists interested in Sikh shrines, the Indian railways will shortly launch a special train for the pilgrims. Officials of IRCTC, the catering and tourism corporation of the railways, Friday said the train will cover the famous Takhts..... → read more

Dr. Arvinder Singh Soin: Miracle Worker
	Liver Plant Surgeon Dr. Arvinder Singh has performed nearly 1000 liver transplants, more than any one else in the subcontinent. The liver transplantation team working under him at Medanta currently performs 25 live donor liver transplants every month with 95% success results;..... → read more

Bawa Jagde recognised for his work with the Sikh community
	The lifelong achievements of Matraville’s Bawa Jagde were recognised last week on Australia Day when he was awarded a Medal of the Order (OAM) of Australia. Mr Jagdev, 78, received the award in recognition of his contribution to the Sikh community. He arrived in Sydney in 1975..... → read more

A Legacy of Valour: The Sikh Regiment (1846-2010)
	"In war", writes a British Officer, "under stress, there is no one like the Sikh; work him almost to death and he is magnificent." Sikhs cannot sit idle and always want something to do. Officers are therefore recommended to keep them busy and occupied in some useful and constructive work;..... → read more

My Special K
	When a "karra" was slipped onto my wrist at the Golden Temple, I didn’t expect the steel bangle with Gurmukhi prayers etched onto it to develop its own presence. My friend Lucky explains that the karra - an article of faith - reminds Sikhs that..... → read more

Furrow Thy Mind - A Garden Will Rise
	In our village lived Bhai Swarna, an illiterate farmer. He was a regular visitor to our house, coming every day, to learn the Punjabi alphabet (painti akhri - the Thirty Five Letters) from my grandfather. In time, he was able to read and write Gurmukhi...... → read more

Potatoes lower BP: USDA study
	Potatoes lower blood pressure in people with obesity and hypertension without increasing weight. Researchers at the 'Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry', say that the decrease, although seemingly small, is sufficient to potentially reduce the risk of several forms of heart disease...... → read more

Complete Shri Sai Satcharitra On Grains Of Rice
	So he began to draw the faces of the Gurus on little grains of rice, mustard seeds and sesame. After that he drew the entire Sukhmani Sahib on 5,0000 grains of rice and has ever since been known in India for his work. He got invited by many important people..... → read more

The 9th Lord of Miracles Tour - Peru 2011
	It was a transformational experience for these women and most had tears in their eyes by the end of the class. To know that the ladies from our Sangat in Lima continue with this Seva of teaching these women is an inspiration and is very fortunate for the inmates...... → read more

Sabh goon tere tahkur maeray
	Watch the video (only 14.06 mins long) or listen to the audio of this beautiful Shabad by Guru Arjan in Raag Vadhans sang by Bhai Kamaljeet Singh & Jatha, Hazoori Ragi Sri Darbar Sahib - "All virtues are Yours, O my Lord and Master; with what mouth should I praise You?" .....Listen, read & enjoy...

Three Deadliest Words - It's A Girl!
	Watch this video (only 3:11 mins long) of a great tragedy happening everyday... and ponder deeply. Isn't it time we changed our ways! In Punjab, India, China and elsewhere millions of girls are killed, aborted and abandoned simply because they are girls .....Watch, listen, read & ponder...

Recent articles

Popular articles

Sikhi FAQ...

Q. Can Sikhs have tattoos?
	A. I don't believe there is anything directly written against or in favour of tattoos in the Sikh scriptures. Tattoos can be grouped with "extreme make-up" which the Guru calls "decorations" and I ask you.. .....More