2. Sikhism A progressive religion founded over 500 years ago with a simple message of truthful living. A practical faith of hope and optimism. It shows mankind how to lead a worthy and useful life and respect each other as equals. It encourages us to see beyond our differences and work together for peace and harmony. It ranks fifth among the main religions and there are around 24 million Sikhs world-wide. A Sikh is a person who believes in One God and the teachings of the Ten Gurus enshrined in the Holy Scriptures - “Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji”.

3. Ç The Ten Sikh Gurus Ç GURU NANAK DEV  GURU ANGAD DEV  GURU AMAR DAS  GURU RAM DAS  GURU ARJAN DEV GURU HARGOBIND  GURU HAR RAI  GURU HARKRISHAN  GURU TEG BAHADUR  GURU GOBIND SINGH

4. GURU GU DARKNESS IGNORANCE RU DIVINE LIGHT KNOWLEDGE RU DIVINE LIGHT KNOWLEDGE

5. Guru Nanak founded the Sikh Religion in 1469 All Human Beings are equal irrespective of caste, creed, colour, race, gender, religion or nationality There is only One God, The All Mighty Creator who is The Eternal Truth “WAHEGURU” *********

6. Guru Nanak with Bhai Mardana & Bhai Bala Guru Nanak’s lifetime companions were a Muslim & a Hindu. He preached secularism & strongly advocated respect & tolerance of all faiths.

7. Langar - Free community Kitchen The institution of Langar started by Guru Nanak translates the principal of equality, sharing and oneness of all humankind into practice

8. Guru Angad Dev - The Second Nanak Guru Angad introduced a new alphabet called “GURMUKHI” by modifying the old Panjabi script and it became the script of the masses. Education no longer remained the privilege of the few elite but became accessible to all.

9. Guru Amar Das - The Third Nanak Guru Amar Das used to refuse his audience to anyone who had not eaten in the Langar first. Even Akbar, The Emperor of India, had to sit and dine with common people before he could meet the Guru.

10. Guru Ram Das - The Fourth Nanak He had the SAROVAR (The Holy Pool) excavated and established a city around it which was named after him as Chak Ramdas. The name changed to Ramdas Pur and finally came to be known as “AMRITSAR”

11. Guru Arjan Dev - The Fifth Nanak kGuru Arjan Dev oversaw the building of Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). kHe also compiled The Adi Granth which included the teachings of first five Gurus & that of many Hindu & Muslim Saints. It graced the Harmandir Sahib for the very first time in 1604. kHe sacrificed his life for upholding human rights & freedom of worship.

12. Guru Hargobind - The Sixth Nanak He also built THE AKAL TAKHAT Guru Hargobind introduced the concept of authority both “MIRI  Temporal” & “PIRI  Spiritual” into the faith ********** Diwali “BANDI CHOR” (Festival of Lights) is celebrated in honour of Guru Hargobind’s arrival at Golden Temple after his release from internment at Gwalier Jail along with 52 Hindu Rajas & Princes **********

13. Guru Har Rai – The Seventh Nanak Guru Har Rai gave lectures on the writings of the Gurus. He ate simple food which was earned by the labour of his own hands. Followers from far would come to Kiratpur to seek the blessings of Guru Har Rai. The Guru spread the message of Sikhism through sending out disciples to eastern India, to Rajasthan and to Delhi.

14. Guru Harkrishan – The Eighth Nanak Guru Harkrishan was the son of Guru Har Rai. He succeeded his father as Guru at the age of five years. Guru Harkrishan healed many people of smallpox but died of the disease when he was only eight years old (1656 - 1664)

15. Guru Teg Bahadur - The Ninth Nanak Guru Teg Bahadur stood up for the rights of all humanity against the tyranny of the political masters of the day and in doing so had to sacrifice his life.

16. Guru Gobind Singh - The Tenth Nanak Guru Gobind Singh introduced the concept of “SAINT - SOLDIER” ********** He enunciated Amrit Sanchar (Baptism Ceremony) & founded the Khalsa Brotherhood ********** He completed & ordained Guru Granth as the living Guru of Sikhs for all times