| Historical Gurdwaras of Punjab |  |
"True is that place,
where the mind becomes pure. True is the one who abides in Truth."
Guru Amar Das, Raga Gauri, pg. 158
Historical Gurdwaras of Punjab Classified by Guru
| Guru
Nanak Dev Guru Angad Dev Guru Amar Das Guru Ram Das Guru Arjan Dev Guru Hargobind |
 |
Guru
Har Rai Guru Harkrishan Guru Tegh Bahadur Guru Gobind Singh Famous Sikhs |
Gurdwaras All
religions have temples where people can gather together to contemplate
on God and pray. The Sikh temple is called a Gurdwara. The word 'Gurdwara'
means 'Gateway to the Guru'. In Sikhism ones personal dedication to living
a good life is important but another important aspect of Sikhism is the
Sangat (congregation). Not only should one meditate on God on their individual
level but also on a corporate level. There are thousands of Gurdwaras
throughout Punjab and the rest of the world. They serve as community centers
for the Sikh's. There are no restrictions on who may enter a Gurdwara
for prayer. People of all religions are welcome to attend. Another common
feature of all Gurdwaras around the world is Langer, the free community
kitchen. Here food is served to all people who sit together to enjoy a
communal meal. It is a symbol of the Sikh belief in a non-sexist, non-racist
society where all people of all casts, religions are equal and can share
a common meal in the true spirit of unity.
Many of the Gurdwaras
in Punjab have a pool (sarovar) for bathing in. In Sikhism one can bathe
in these pools if they wish, but they should be pure inside in order
to accomplish anything. For the water may clean you on the outside,
but it cannot clean you on the inside if your heart is not pure. Unlike
some religions, pilgrimages is not a part of Sikhism. Sikhs may visit
any Gurdwara as they are all considered equal because in all the living
Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh Holy Scriptures), is installed
as the spiritual head of the Sikh religion. I originally had gathered this material to publish a book, but publishing costs are very high and I think that this precious resource material should be made available to all Sikhs and non-Sikhs around the world. There is currently no resource like it, in print, or in any other media. This web site is my individual effort to help all people realize just how rich a history and tradition Sikhism has. Sikhs should feel proud as the guardians of this precious religious heritage and make every effort to preserve it. |
Sikhism is almost 500 years old
and the landscape of Punjab is scattered with Gurdwaras commemorating
important events in the lives of the Sikh Gurus. In early 1995 I spent
two months in Punjab visiting, photographing and documenting over 65
historical Gurdwaras. It's one thing to read about a religion and it's
history, it's quite another to experience it. Visiting the Gurdwaras
of Punjab really made the religion come alive for me. Suddenly I felt
transported back in time, walking in the same place where the great
Sikh Gurus walked. The experience had a very profound effect on me,
both emotionally and spiritually.
Free Gurdwaras Windows Wallpapers
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Wallpaper of The Golden Temple |
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Wallpaper of Goindwal Sahib, the first great centre of Sikhism |
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Note: No graphics or photographs
from The Sikhism Home Page
may be reproduced or used on another web site or for any other
means without express written permission from Sandeep Singh Brar.