Sikh

//__**Important dates in history of religion**__// 1. Diwali, the Festival of Light, comes at the end of October or early November. It's a festival that Sikhs, Hindus and Jains celebrate. For Sikhs, Diwali is particularly important because it celebrates the release from prison of the sixth guru, Hargobind Singh, and 52 other princes with him, in 1619.

2. Gurpurbs are festivals that are associated with the lives of the Gurus. They are happy occasions which are celebrated most enthusiastically by Sikhs. The most important Gurpurbs are: · The birthday of Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism (April or November) · The birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, founder of the Khalsa (January) · The martyrdom of Guru Arjan (June) · The martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (November/December)

3. Hola Mahalla coincides with the Hindu festival of colours, Holi. The festival was originally created to distract Sikhs from the Hindu festival. Guru Gobind Singh started this festival as a day for Sikhs to practise their military exercises and hold mock battles. Today, Sikhs celebrate by watching and partaking in martial arts parades, led by the nishan sahibs of the Gurdwaras. These are then followed by poetry readings and music. It is celebrated around March 17.

4. Vaisakhi, also spelled Baisakhi, is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. It is the Sikh New Year festival and is celebrated on April 13 or 14. It also commemorates 1699, the year Sikhism was born as a collective faith.

In Indian society, women were usually subject to various caste-rules and severe restrictions. They remained illiterate and were ill-treated. Female infanticide was often practiced.
 * //__Role of Women__//**

//__**Divisions/sects/denominations/branches**__// · Udasis – An order of ascetics and holy men, they are often active as missionaries. · Sahajdharis – Who are clean shaven and do not follow the Khalsa tradition. · The Khalsa

In 1574, Guru Angad trained a number of traveling missionaries, who spread Sikhism throughout India with no military action.
 * //__Spread of religion—How? When? Where? Military action/war?__//**

Sikh Symbols- Ik Onkar- symbol that means one god.

Sikh flag

Five faith items that they have to wear at all time, also symbol of sikh

Kesh -uncut hair Kanga –wooden comb Kaccha –especially designed underwear Kara – iron bracelet Kipan – strapped sword

Khanda- the symbolizes God’s power and creativity, The two swords mean his all mighty power.

Afterlife— what happens when you die? -They believe if you lived the right life, you will merge with god when you pass away.

Holy Book(s)- There holy book is the Guru Granth Sahib. It’s the only one of its kind because it has writings of the founder of that religion. The founders are ten Sikh Gurus. The Sikh see it as the head of the Sikh religion and as the supreme authority.

It was was founded over 500 years old.

The holy book for the Sikh’s is the The Granth Sahib It was completed in 1604 and was formally installed in the Golden Temple with Bhai Budda as the head Granthi in the same year. In its printed form it consists of 1430 pages divided into 33 subsections There are 31 ragas or musical modes in which they are meant to be sung.