Sikhism — Practices
What's covered
Key facts
Amrit Sanskar is Sikh initiation into the Khalsa.
Amrit (sugar water from the ceremony) is touched to the baby's tongue.
In Sikhism the festival is called Bandi Chhor Divas.
Anyone, regardless of background, may enter a gurdwara.
Guru Arjan, fifth Guru, was martyred in June 1606.
The Golden Temple is in the city of Amritsar.
Ardas is the personal prayer added at the end of services.
The Mughal Emperor Akbar sat on the floor and ate langar "with the poorest of the poor" before meeting Guru Amar Das; the Guru declined his offer of royal funding so langar stayed supported by ordinary devotees.
Another pillar is Kirat Karni — honest work.
An Amritdhari is an initiated Khalsa Sikh.
Sample questions
A taste of the 161 questions in this topic, answers marked. Sign up to practise the full set with spaced repetition.
What is Amrit Sanskar?
- •Sikh funeral rite marking the soul's journey
- ✓Sikh initiation into the Khalsa
- •Sikh marriage ceremony uniting two families
- •Sikh naming ceremony for a newborn child
Where is the Sikh naming ceremony held?
- •At a Sikh elder's house
- •At the family home
- ✓At the gurdwara
- •At the local community centre
What does Sikh Divali celebrate?
- ✓Guru Hargobind's release from prison
- •Guru Nanak's birth and founding of Sikhism
- •The completion of the Guru Granth Sahib in Amritsar
- •The establishment of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh
Is the gurdwara only for worship?
- ✓No — also community centre
- •No — it is mainly a school for scripture study
- •Yes — only Sikhs may enter for prayers
- •Yes — strictly reserved for religious services
When is Guru Nanak's birthday celebrated?
- •Fifteenth day of April
- •First day of October
- ✓Full-moon day in November
- •New-moon day in December
What is the Golden Temple?
- •Administrative centre of Sikhism
- •Most sacred Hindu mandir
- ✓Most sacred Sikh gurdwara
- •Oldest Sikh gurdwara in Punjab
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