This is a photo-journal of a pilgrimage (yatra) to Anandpur to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the initiation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh. The Sword of Khalsa was specially created for this anniversary and its presentation to the former Guru on April 14th is said to have been the real purpose of the pilgrimage. Interestingly, the 310-year-old piece of wood used to create the sword box came from a Flame Birch tree that was growing at the time of the first Khalsa festival (Baisakhi) in 1699. A large number of video clips are also available (see contents page).

For Sikhs this is the festival that commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa by the tenth (and last) Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. This site shows, however, that the festival had a wider significance than this among Indians, namely, as a harvest celebration. It is said to be a time when men and women, adorned with "…gay-coloured clothes and traditional jewellery", break into dance. Fairs are also organized in various places in Punjab. It is also stated that "The occasion is celebrated with great gusto at Talwandi Sabo, where Guru Gobind Singh stayed for nine months and completed the recompilation of the Guru Granth Sahib." This time also has a religious significance for Hindus and Buddhists as well as for Sikhs.

This page provides a brief biography of Guru Nanak and his travels around India. Little attention, however, is given to his actual teachings, which are understood as best viewed in the light of the bhakti movement then sweeping the country and the 'ossification' of Hinduism and Islam. See also the entry on Sikhism.

This name refers to Guru Nanak's birthday. This page discusses the mode of celebrations of this birthday, and makes brief reference to Gurus Arjun and Govind Singh and the compilation of the Sikh Scriptures and their teachings.

The late S. Gobind Singh Mansukhani here provides questions and answers to a wide range of issues divided into seven main sections. These sections are (i) General; (ii) God and His Universe; (iii) Principles; (iv) Sikh History; (v) Sacred Literature; (vi) Worship, Ceremonies, and the Future; and (vii) Sikhism and Modern Problems.

This page comprises ten sections that cover Sikh origins, history, Holy Texts, beliefs, practices, the Khanda (symbol of Sikhism), and a Sikh dispute concerning the future. There is also a section discussing an apparent hoax on the Internet respecting an alleged Sikh Holy Day: the 'Khamapana'. Several Sikh web sites are provided as well as the references used for this article.

This page discusses core beliefs, faith and practice, Sikh literature, festivals, each of the Ten Gurus, and the so-called "5 K's", namely, five protocols concerned with dress to which every Sikh is expected to conform. It is also noted that the historian Khuswant Singh regards the roots of Sikhism to lie firmly in Hinduism's Bhakti tradition. The concepts adopted from this tradition by Guru Nanak, according to Singh, are given.

This article by Swami Sivananda is divided into five sections. These are (i) Introduction; (ii) Granth Sahib [Sikh Holy Scriptures]; (iii) Main Principles; (iv) Teachings of Guru Nanak; and (v) Japji (Five Stages). According to the author Guru Nanak attempted to formulate a "…unifying religion…" that would unite "…Hindus and Mohammedans…" Sikhism, he says, is essentially Bhakti and its philosophy Hindu. Guru Nanak is said to have adopted the Upanishadic concept of one, all-embracing Brahman with which we are in essence one, as well as admitting the doctrines of karma, reincarnation, and maya. Japji, the "…great morning prayer…" is described as the foundation-stone of the Granth Sahib and describes the five stages through which the soul must pass to attain eternal peace.

This very informative two-page essay by Vishwa Mohan Tiwari is in fifteen sections. The author provides historical background on the concept of bhakti (devotion) and the Bhakti Movement itself as a means to understanding the evolution of Guru Nanak's own devotional path. Within the Bhakti tradition we find elements that find a central place in Sikhism: devotional hymns, including the concepts of Saguna and Nirguna Brahman, anti-caste sentiments, and the advaita ('non-dualist') devotional path that Guru Nanak himself chose. Other sections discuss the themes of dualism and non-dualism, Sikh scriptural sources, the tenets of Sikhism, and the devotional path, among others. Sikhism is regarded as a monistic religion (not monotheistic, polytheistic, or pantheistic) and also as a "realizational religion" rather than a revelatory religion.

This page is the translator's preface to an English version (1994) of the Reht Maryada, the Sikh Code of Conduct, the composition of which began in 1931 and was completed in February 1945. The translator is Kulraj Singh.

This account of the Bhakti Movement is an argument against the view, allegedly held by many historians, that Sikhism is no more than a product of this Movement. Thus the author states, "This is totally wrong and is against the basic Sikh virtues of equality of humans and worship of one God." Sikhs admit, as does our author, that Sikhism did embrace elements of the Bhakti Movement such as devotional songs to God, and spiritual love as the way to the Deity. These similarities are, however, held to be minor and even superficial. Ultimately, the distinctiveness of Sikhism is maintained. See also The Gateway to Sikhism Homepage for a wide range of other themes.

This is a large site divided into five main sections. These are (i) Introduction; (ii) Origin & Development; (iii) Sikh Philosophy & Scriptures; (iv) The Sikh Way of Life; and (v) Resources. The introduction asks "Who and what is a Sikh?" It also considers philosophy and beliefs, history and practices. Other sections cover subjects such as the ten Sikh Gurus, with a detailed discussion of each, Sikh saints (section (ii)), philosophical tenets, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Sacred Scriptures with English translation), and the views of the Gurus on women (section (iii)). Also available are discussions of the Gudwara (Sikh temple) and its protocols, the Khalsa (baptized Sikh), and code of conduct (section (iv)). Essays, a reading list, and web links may be found under 'Resources'.