Sikh Concepts and Teachings - Sikh culture and Heritage

Question / Answers

(21) Question:-	Name the five Sikh Takhts.
Answer:-	A Takht means a throne or royal seat. Thus, these five Takhts are the royal seats for the Sikhs. The same are :- * Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Sri Amritsar * Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Anandpur Sahib * Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo * Takht Sri Harimandar Sahib, Patna Sahib * Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib, Nanded
(22) Question:-	What are the heads of these Takhts called. What are their duties.
Answer:-	Each Takht has a head, known as a Jathedar. Thus, there are five Jathedars of the these five Takhts. Akal Takht being the oldest and the seat of administrative decisions and rendering justice right from the time of its founder, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib, it has always held the supreme position. So, the decisions taken and edicts issued by Jathedar Sri Akal Takht sahib get priority over those of other jathedars. Generally all important panthic decisions are taken by Jathedar Sri Akal Takht sahib in consultation with other jathedars. In the 18th century, all important Panthak issues were discussed in and decisions taken by Sarbat Khalsa (a gathering of all the Sikhs who assembled at Sri Akal Takht Sahib for discussing common issues) So, the appointment of jathedars was also made by SARBAT KHALSA. when SGPC came into being, it became the appointing authority of Jathedars in Punjab. The duties of the Jathedars are supposed to include satisfying of queries of the seekers on Sikh religious matters, dealing with interfaith matters, representing Sikh religion and presenting Sikh view point in inter faith gatherings, giving advice on Sikh issues, dealing with complaints against individuals and organisations regarding Gurmat misconduct and violations, and awarding Tankhah (religious punishment) in conformity with the tenets and teachings as contained in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh historical precedents and accepted traditions, resolving conflicts among individuals or groups of Sikhs, doing Dharam Parchar by Kirtan or discourses and, if necessary, issuing edicts in the form of directives for the Sikhs to do or not to do certain things. In performing all these duties they are supposed to observe the principles of natural justice and also keep in view the law and public policies of the Government. It has been noticed that in the absence of any prescribed procedure or rules regarding selection and functioning of Jathedars, their decisions many a times become controversial. For example, the decision of Jathedar Sahib regarding granting pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim of Dera Sacha Sauda (who has since been convicted for rape charges by the court )was not accepted by the Sikhs and as such was withdrawn Similarly, the decisions regarding Sikh calendar in 2003 and later on in 2015 caused resentment among some or the other groups of Sikhs. The need is to have a prescribed procedure and set of rules regarding the selection and functioning of Takht Jathedars. They must also be given competent advisers, qualified staff, a suitable establishment and autonomy to function. They should work in the interest of panth keeping in view the welfare of all, without any pressure and political interference that will give them the requisite status, glory and honour.
(23) Question:-	Are there any Historical Gurdwaras in Chandigarh, Delhi, Gujrat, East India and South India.
Answer:-	There are a number of Historical Gurdwaras in the trio cities of Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. Whereas there is a Gurdwara in Panchkula known as Gurdwara Nada Sahib, sanctified by visit of Guru Gobind Singh, another Gurdwara at Zikrakpur known as Nabha Sahib is associated with Sri Guru Tegbhadur Ji. The other Gurdwaras around Chandigarh include Gurdwara Amb Sahib, Gurdwara Baoli Sahib and Gurdwara Koohni Sahib. Gurdwara Amb Sahib is situated in phase-8 (Sector-62) of Mohali, near Fortis Heart Hospital and office of Punjab School Education Board. This Gurdwara is a memorial to Guru Har Rai Sahib’s visit to his devotees Bhai Kuram’s Mango Garden. Bhai Kuram desired to serve managoes to Guru, but it was not the season of mangoes. However, with Guru’s blessings, one of the trees was noticed to have ripe mangoes. Thus, the devotees served the mangoes to Guru and the Sangat, and hence the name of the Gurdwara. There are Ten Historical Gurdwaras in Delhi, namely, Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, Gurdwara Mata Sundri Ji, Gurdwara Bala Sahib, Gurdwara Nanak Piao, Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tila, Gurdwara Moti Bagh, Gurdwara Damdama Sahib and Gurdwara Baba Banda Singh Bahadar. In Gujrat state also, there are number of historical Gurdwaras relating to the travels of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, as in Baroda Gurdwara Nanakwadi, in Barauch, Gurdwara Chadar Sahib and a Gurdwara in Lakhpat are all stated to have been visited by the first Guru during his travels. However, the Lakhpat Gurdwara is the most well known Gurdwara. It is the place in Gujrat which was visited by Guru Nanak Dev Ji during the fourth Udasi. Lakhpat was earlier part of Sind (now in Pakistan) and is presently situated 170 kilometres from Gandhi Dham. To commemorate Guru Nanak Dev ji’s visit to Lakhpat, a Gurdwara was built in the early years of the nineteenth century. In East India also there are some Historical Gurdwaras as in Sikkim, Gurdwara Guru Dongmar Sahib and Gurdwara Nanak Lama at Chungthang. In Assam there is a famous Gurdwara at Dhubri. This famous Gurdwara, situated on the bank of river, Brahmputra, was originally built in the memory of Guru Nanak Dev Ji who is believed to have visited this place in 1505 A.D. while travelling from Dhaka to Assam. Later on, Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib visited the place and established the Gurdwara. It was during his stay in Dhubri that the Guru received the news about the birth of his son at Patna. Sikh devotees from all over India and the world assemble in this Gurdwara every year in the month of December to mark the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadar with due solemnity and ceremony. Sikh devotees call this festival Sahidee Gurpurab. The management of this Gurdwara is looked after by Sikh Pratinidhi Board Eastern Zone, which is the apex body of the Sikhs living in Northeastern states and North Bengal including Siliguri with members drawn from all over the region. The Board undertakes various activities for the development of Sikhs in particular and people of the region in general. The Board was established in 1981. Its head office is at Gurdwara Dhubri Sahib. In Orissa, Jaganath Puri, Guru Nanak Dev Ji had Composed his wellknown compositions 'Aarti'.The Guru Preached against idolatry and exhorted the people to sing the praises of one formless God who was God of all ‘The place where Guru Nanak sang the above mentioned hymn, a Math was created by Udasi Priests. It was first established by Bhai Almast, the notable Udasi Priest during the middle of 17th century. However, the same, being not a Gurdwara in the right earnest, it was being felt that a Gurdwara be constructed at some nearby available place so that the great event of composition of a great hymn, about which Tagore had said that it was an international anthem for the entire world, be commemorated. When Bhai Shamsher Singh of Delhi visited this place, he discussed the matter with the Sadh Sangat of Orissa and adjoining states and decided to stay back and built a beautiful Guru Ghar. Despite the fact that there is no Sikh family living in Jagannathpuri, Baba Ji purchased a plot of land and started constructing a Gurdwara. It is worth mentioning here that one of the five beloveds of Guru Gobind Singh, Bhai Himmat Singh, also belonged to this place. So, realizing the importance of this place in Sikh history, a beautiful Gurdwara called Gurdwara Aarti Sahib, a four storey building, has been built now. The state of West Bengal has 11 historical Gurdwaras, mostly at Howra-Kolkatta, including two at Malda and one at Durgapur. However, Gurdwara Bari Sangat, Kolkatta is the most notable Gurdwara in West Bengal which commemorates the visits of both Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib. This Gurdwara, situated in Tullapati Cotton Street is very popular among the Sikhs. When SGPC was constituted, this Gurdwara was also brought under their control, but this arrangement could not continue for a long time and ultimately a managing committee of its own was formed. South India is comprised of five states, namely Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala. In addition, there are 3 union territories, namely Andaman and Nikobaar, Lakhsdeep & Pondicherry. The Sikh population in the south India is very small as compared to the rest of Indian states except the far east. However as Guru Nanak travelled throughout the country and beyond for enlightening the people about the true path of religion based upon the principals of oneness of God and equality and fraternity among all the people, there are a number of spots even in south India which commemorate the visit of the great Guru. Thus, we have Gurdwaras in Rameshwaram, Kanchipuram, Thagaraya and Gurdwara Tilgangi Sahib located near Palipuram and Kotayam in the state of Tamilnadu. Remeshwaram Gurudwara known as Gurudwara Guru Nanak Dham is managed by Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha and Educational Society. According to them Sri Guru Nanak visited Rameswaram in 1511 and stayed for 19 days on his return journey from Sri Lanka, where he preached to break the barriers of passion and prejudice. He made significant contribution in solving the problems of Shivnabh, King of Sri Lanka, and 18 others. When S. Surjeet Singh Barnala was the Governor of Tamil Nadu, he managed to collect donations from Sikhs living in Tamil Nadu and around and the said Sabha was constituted for the construction and management of the Gurdwara. Although, some other Gurdwaras are also associated with the visits of Guru Nanak Dev Ji but, the most important is Nanak Jhira Sahib in Bidar, Karnataka. It is believed that when Guru Nanak visited this place, there used to be acute shortage of drinking water in Bidar. All efforts of the people to dig wells were of no avail. Even when wells produced water the water was found to be unfit for drinking. The Guru was greatly moved by the miserable condition of the people. With divine name on his lips and the mercy in his heart he touched the hillside with his toe and removed some rubble from the place. To the utter surprise of all, a fountain of sweet, cool water gushed out of the hillside. The place soon came to be known as ‘Nanak-Jhira’. Now this water fountain has been named as an Amrit Kund and a big Gurudwara has been built around it. The management of Gurdwara Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib now runs a free hospital, an engineering college (Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College), a Polytechnic, a college and two schools, one of them being in Hyderabad.There is another Gurdwara at Bidar associated with Mai Bhago, who is stated to have spent her last days here. It also need to be mentioned here that Bhai Sahib Singh, one of the Panj Piaras (five beloved of Guru Gobind Singh), hailed from Bidar where he was once a barber. He was the son of Gurunarayana and Ankamma from Bidar. Thus, the city of Bidar has become a popular Sikh pilgrimage centre.
(24) Question:-	How and when the Sikhs got the Gurudwaras of Delhi constructed?
Answer:-	The Karor Singhia misl made a mark in the Sikh History when its leader S. Baghel Singh was able to defeat the Royal Forces in Delhi and on 11 th March, 1783 the Sikhs entered the Red Fort and occupied the Dewan-I-Aam. The Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II had no other alternative but to make a settlement with the brave Sikh who had won laurels by establishing his area of influence in Jalandhar-Doab and Hariana near Hoshiarpur. When the Sikhs won the victory over Sirhind in January, 1764, Baghel Singh extended his area towards Karnal and went towards Yamuna to capture Saharanpur, Muzaffar Nagar and several other villages of the Yamuna-Gangetic areas. However, despite such vast powers and influence, S. Bhagel Singh preferred to make the emperor accept his proposal to raise Gurdwaras in Sikh historical sites in Delhi. In addition, the Sikhs were allowed to realise 37.5% of the octroi duties in the capital. He located seven sites connected with the lives of the Gurus and had shrines raised thereon within the space of eight months, from April to November 1783. Gurdwara Sis Ganj marked the spot in the main Mughal street of Chandni Chowk where Guru Tegh Bahadur had been executed under the fiat of the emperor and Gurdwara Rakabganj, near modern day Parliament House where the body was cremated. Bangla Sahib and Bala Sahib commemorated the Eighth Guru, Guru Har Krishan. Three other Gurdwaras built were at Majnu Ka Tilla, Moti Bagh and Telivara.
(25) Question:-	Name the organizations which manage the affairs of the following. a.) Historical Gurdwaras of Punjab and Haryana. b.) Historical Gurdwaras of Delhi. c.)Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib Nanded. d.)Takht Sri Patna Sahib.
Answer:-	a.) Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. b.) Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managment Committee. c.) A Committee of 15 members known as the board manages this Takht. d.) This Takht is also managed by a board consisting of 17 members.
(26) Question:-	Which countries have maximum number of Gurdwaras?
Answer:-	There are some countries in the world, where the number of Gurdwaras is quite big like Indian Punjab. The reason is that considerable population of Punjab have shifted to these countries. As this population is increasing rapidly, the number of Gurdwaras is also increasing. These countries are Canada, USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand and East Asian Countries. Canada has the maximum number of Gurdwaras, particularly in the two states of British Columbia and Ontario. As it is not possible to give details of all the Gurdwaras in these countries, those interested may go through Kes Sambhal Parchar Sanstha's proud Publication 'Some Prominent Gurdwaras & Sikh Organizations of the World'. The information contained in this publication is also available on Sanstha's website www.sikhpride.org.
(27) Question:-	Are there any Gurdwaras in South East Asia. In which country the number of Gurdwaras is maximum.
Answer:-	The well known Gurdwaras in South East Asia include one Gurdwara at Kobe in Japan, one Gurdwara Known as Khalsa Diwan Sikh Temple in Hongkong and one Gurdwara in Columbo, Sri Lanka. There are two Gurdwaras in Mosco, One Gurdwara at Yangon in Myanmar and two Gurdwaras in South Korea. However, there are number of Gurdwaras in Thiland, Singapore and Myalashia. The most well known Gurdwara is that of Silat road in Singapore. This Gurdwara commemorates the memory of Bhai Maharaj Singh. Bhai Maharaj Singh was a great patriot, who was exiled to Singapore, where he had to suffer torchers before his death and the Britishers cremated him just outside the Autram Jail where he was kept, the Sikhs shifted his Samadhi to the Gurdwara premises in October 1996 and this added to the popularity of the Gurdwara. Gradually, a belief grew among the Sikhs that who so ever prayed at grave of the patriot martyr sincerely his wish was granted. When in the 2nd World War Japan captured Singapore the Gurdwara Management helped the homeless people, the widows and the orphans without any discrimination. They were granted refuge in this Gurdwara and they all stayed here maintained by the Sikh community throughout 3.5 years of Japanese occupation of Singapore. Keeping in view the great rush of local people including Hindus and Muslims as well as the tourist in the country, a new Gurdwara was constructed and dedicated to the people on 23 October 1995. In 1995, an ancillary block next to the Gurdwara Sahib was completed. It includes the Sikh Heritage Centre and the office of The Singapore Education Foundation, which was established in 1990. Cultural Activity, Punjabi as well as kirtan classes are held regularly. The Senior Citizens day care hall and a multipurpose auditorium are really the distinguishing feature of this Gurdwara.
(28) Question:-	Mention some prominent Gurdwaras in Europe.
Answer:-	The number of Sikhs living in different European countries like UK, Germany, France, Holland, Italy and Belgium is quite large. The maximum numbers of Sikhs live in UK.
(29) Question:-	Are there any Gurdwaras in Austria & Switzerland?
Answer:-	There is one Gurdwara at Vieana, capital City of Austria. In Switzerland, although there are not many Sikhs, but there are four Gurdwara in the country. The same appear to have been constructed when a large number of Sikhs had taken asylum in mid 80's. The most important Gurdwara is in Langenthal which was constructed in 2006.
(30) Question:-	Are there any Gurdwaras in Poland, Spain and Portugal?
Answer:-	In Poland, there is only one Gurdwara at Warsa. In Spain, the Sikh Diaspora being more than 50% of the total Indian population, there are a number of Gurdwaras. Gurdwara at Barcelone is the most important Gurdwara. In Portugal, the number of Sikhs is small, so there is a Gurdwara in the capital city, Lisbon only.