In all my travels, I can’t think of a more welcoming location to stay in than the free accommodation offered on the outskirts of Amritsar’s Golden Temple, in the far west of north India. The welcome came from the Sikh community, who went to great lengths to explain their beliefs and history, feed and house the people who passed by , and to provide one of the most peaceful and moving atmospheres I’ve ever stumbled across in my travels. Thinking back to that time pushed me to put together a new series of reasonably quick fire ‘cultural overviews’, looking at just what the key tenants of some of the world’s major religions and cultural influences are. Here’s the very first one:

Where? Sikhism is not a widely practised religion – there are only an estimated 26 million practising Sikhs in the world, most of whom live in the Punjab district of west India. The area and religion are often thought of as being intrinsically linked, though most Sikhs lived in the Punjab districts of east of Pakistan before the partition of the two countries in 1947.The current spiritual heartland is Amritsar, in north west India, though the religion originates in Nanakana Sahib in modern day Pakistan.

What do Sikhs Believe? Sikhism is perhaps the most forward thinking of Indian religions from a western point of view, with all kinds of discrimination rejected , and an emphasis on living truthfully. The ‘first volume’, or key scripture of Sikhism is the Gurū Granth Sāhi, parts of which are recited daily from memory. They emphasize God as an omnipresent but invisible figure whom it is not possible to know entirely. God is not only genderless, but also formless. There are five evils spelled out in Sikh texts – ego, greed, anger, lust and attachment – and the end aim that comes from the living of a life that avoids the five temptations is salvation and reincarnation. The cycle of rebirth is believed to be endless, though succumbing to the five evils leads to separation from God, and can only be remedied by intense devotion.

What do these beliefs result in on the ground? Sikhs are taught to be extremely optimistic people, and to protect the rights of all living beings, especially other humans, regardless of beliefs. The concept of sharing – vand chakko – is drummed into Sikhs from a young age, and undertaken through the distribution of food, offering of accommodation and giving of charitable offerings. Most adult male Sikhs carry a Kirpan, or ceremonial sword, which dates back to the original scripture of Sikhism, and is a powerful symbol of the religion, much like a cross in Christianity. It is in no way a symbol of aggression, and would never be used in this way; the comparison is common, but also offensive to Sikhs, much like describing the cross as a symbol of torture. Sikhs are forbidden to drink any form of alcohol or other intoxicant, and some don’t eat beef or, in some cases, any meat at all.

Does this present travel opportunities? Staying in the house or at the temple of a Sikh is an incredible chance to connect to the religion and begin to understand its background and beliefs, though don’t stay too long – it’s not something to abuse. There are a number of annual festivals, too, though a dispute over which calendar should be used to determine the date of their celebration means that they’re not universally held at the same time. Hola Mahalla is perhaps the most interesting festival for visitors, with Sikh warriors showing their fighting and riding skills. It also takes place the day after Holi, which is without doubt one of the continent’s most interesting cultural experiences, though it’s not a Sikh holiday. Sikhs are extremely welcoming people, just remember to try to give what you receive, and avoid taking advantage.

What are you experiences of Sikhism, Sikh holidays and the surrounding culture?

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