Faith
The sacred ceremonies that accompany a Sikh through the milestones of life.
Naming Ceremony
After a child's birth, the mother and child visit the Gurdwara with relatives and friends to give thanks and to name the child in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
An Ardas (prayer) is offered for the wellbeing of the child, and the Hukam — a passage read at random from Guru Granth Sahib Ji — is taken. The child's name is then chosen to begin with the first letter of that Hukam, and the family shares Karah Parshad and Langar with the Sangat.
First Turban-Tying Ceremony
A joyful ceremony marking the first tying of the turban (dastaar) for a young Sikh, typically between the ages of 11 and 16.
Performed in the presence of the Sangat, usually by the Granthi or a respected elder, the dastaar is a crown of responsibility and identity. It marks a young person's growing commitment to the values and appearance of a Sikh, and is celebrated with prayers and blessings.
The Sikh Marriage — “Ceremony of Joy”
The Sikh wedding ceremony, whose name means the “ceremony of joy,” unites two souls in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
The heart of the ceremony is the four Lavan verses composed by Guru Ram Das Ji. As each verse is sung, the couple walks respectfully around Guru Granth Sahib Ji, accepting the Guru's teachings as the guide for their married life together. It is a spiritual union rather than a contract.
Initiation into the Khalsa
The sacred initiation ceremony into the Khalsa, first held by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699, in which a Sikh formally commits to the discipline of the faith.
Those who take Amrit commit to living by the Sikh code of conduct and to wearing the Five Ks. Amrit (sweetened blessed water) is prepared while prayers are recited, and the initiate accepts the responsibilities of a Khalsa Sikh. It is a deeply personal and life-changing commitment made freely.
Antam Sanskar
In Sikhism, death is viewed as a natural part of the cycle of life and the soul's journey toward the Divine, and is met with acceptance rather than despair.
The body is washed, dressed in clean clothes and the Five Ks, and cremated. Prayers, including Kirtan Sohila and Ardas, are offered at the Gurdwara for the peace of the departed soul and comfort of the family. The emphasis is on remembrance of God and the acceptance of His Will (Hukam).
