The tenth and last human-form Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, was in 1667 as Gobind Rai. He became the Guru in 1675 following the martyrdom of his father and the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur. He was a brilliant poet, philosopher, and warrior. Guru Gobind Singh shaped the Sikh community into a community of equals and […]
The second Sikh genocide was the mass killing of Sikhs by the Afghani Durrani Forces in February of 1762 during his sixth invasion of India in the present day state of Punjab in India. An estimated 25,000 - 30,000 Sikhs including women and children were killed, which was nearly half of the Sikh population at […]
Hola Mohalla takes place on the first day of the lunar month of Chet, which generally falls in March. This tradition was established by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, in 1701 for Sikhs to demonstrate their martial skills in controlled battles. Hola Mohalla became an annual event and continues to be celebrated with martial […]
On Vaisakhi in 1699, the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, established the initiated community of Sikhs, the Khalsa, through the Amrit ceremony and became initiated himself too. Vaisakhi holds great significance in the history of the community. Sikhs acquire their formal, distinct identity from this day onward. The identity includes the unique physical appearance and […]
The Chhota Ghallughara was the first massacre of Sikhs targeted to wipe out the entire population. Around 7,000 Sikhs were killed, 3,000 were captured and later beheaded, and the persecution lasted several decades. Gurdwaras were destroyed and scriptures were burnt. Anyone caught saying the word “Guru” was sentenced to death. More Information Students and/Co-Workers may […]
The Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, ordered a military assault of one of the most significant and historic sites, the Harminder Sahib (Golden Temple). Prior to the attacks, the Indian military deployed 100,000 troops across Punjab. This Indian military operation attacked innocent civilians who had gathered at the Harminder Sahib complex to commemorate the […]
Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Sikh Guru and the first Sikh martyr who gave the ultimate sacrifice standing for freedom. In 1606, the Mughal Emperor, Jahangir, ordered that Guru Arjan Dev be tortured and sentenced to death after he refused to renounce his faith. He fearless shared the message of Oneness of all Creation […]
Guru Angad Dev Ji was originally a humble Sikh named Lehna. Upon meeting the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, his life transformed and he never left the Guru’s side serving the community for many years to follow. When the time came, Guru Nanak approached Lehna and said you have now become a part of me, […]
Commemorating the transfer of Guruship from human form to the Word, Shabad. The installation of Guru Granth Sahib, the ultimate compilation containing the Guru’s wisdom, is celebrated with great joy. The last and eternal Guru for the Sikhs is Guru Granth Sahib. It is respected not like a book, but like a true King. All […]
Over the course of three days, 8,000 - 17,000 Sikhs were killed and about 50,000 were displaced after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was killed by her two Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. Upon public knowledge of her death, Indian citizens (primarily Hindu nationalists) determinedly murdered, raped, burned, and tortured innocent Sikhs in more than […]
"Is there any rule that one should follow all of one's life? Yes! The rule of the gentle goodness: That which we do not wish to be done to us, we do not do to others."