Sikhism religion is well known all around the world and was founded 500 years ago, The Sikh religion today has a following of over 20 million people worldwide and is ranked as the world’s 5th largest religion. Sikhism is open to all through the teachings of its 10 Gurus in the Sikh Holy Book and Living Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Introduction
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara has been in Whalley Range for less than 50 years. It was founded in 1961 and started out with a very few members but soon it became a very open community and welcomed and helped people from all religions. And soon they purchased another building and turned it into another Gurdwara and educational and cultural centre.
Sikh Symbols and objects and Meanings
There are many religious symbols at the Sri Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara and lots of objects are used there as well. The most important symbol of Sikhism is the Khanda. It is made up of a circle, the Kara, which shows that God is immortal and has no beginning or end like a circle, a double-edged sword which is, in the middle of the circle and is used for baptism in Sikhism and two Kirpans (single-edged swords) which most Sikhs carry around in the day but most people are scared by this and think that the Sikhs are going to attack but the Kirpans for Sikhs are really for defending themselves not attacking others.
There are five K’s in Sikhism and is very important. They are the Kara (steel ring that you put on your wrist), Kanga (comb for their long hair), Kacha (shorts), Kirpans (sword) and Kesh (long hair). A Sikh warrior, called a Khalsa, wears the five Ks. Khalsas protect people and try to never hurt people. Sikhs carry around the five K’s where ever they go.
There is a symbol in Skhism. It is called Ik Onkar. It is a symbol meaning that there is only one God. You might find this symbol in someones hand or as a picture.
Decorations
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