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Celebrating Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs

January 17, 2014 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Last week, the Sikh community around the world celebrated the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru (and last in human form) who was born on January 5, 1666. The specific date of the anniversary has been clouded with (almost ridiculous) confusion as various elements within the community debate the use of various Sikh calendar constructs. According to the Nanakshahi calendar, the anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh’s birth was on January 5. The actual date on which we […]

Categories: Sikhism • Tags: gurpurab, Guru Gobind Singh, Professor Puran Singh

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Workers install seven domes now adorn the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek earlier this month, as tributes to the lives lost in last year's shooting rampage by a white supremacist. (Source: WISN-TV)

Guru Gobind Singh’s Zafarnama and Oak Creek, Wisconsin

August 27, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

What manliness you have shown by extinguishing a few sparks? You have made the conflagration brighter and more furious. — Guru Gobind Singh to Aurangzeb, Mughal emperor of India, 1705. In 1705, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, wrote a letter in Persian entitled Zafarnama (“Epistle of Victory”) to Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor of India who engaged in a campaign to eradicate the Sikh people, resulting in the execution and deaths of the Guru’s four young sons […]

Categories: Civil Rights, Hate Crimes, Reflections • Tags: Aurangzeb, Guru Gobind Singh, hate crimes, Oak Creek, Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, Zafarnama

"A Sikh boy stands on the water’s edge [at Hemkund Sahib]. It’s estimated that upward of 150,000 people make it to Hemkund each year." (Photo credit: Michael Benanav | The New York Times)

Visiting Hemkund Sahib

June 3, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

While it is not so uncommon to see Americans write about their first visit to Darbar Sahib (aka the Golden Temple) in Amritsar, India, a recent article in The New York Times by Michael Benanav describes his visit to Hemkund Sahib (a site associated with the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh), a very different Gurdwara located at an altitude of 14,000 feet in the Himalayan mountain range near Tibet: But even to a nonbeliever, the allure of a sacred lake […]

Categories: Reflections • Tags: Amritsar, Darbar Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh, Hemkund Sahib, Himalaya, Michael Benanav, New York Times

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"What is he panning for? A man cleans a huge pan to prepare a non-alcoholic drink during celebrations of Hola Mohalla festival at Anandpur Sahib, India. The Hola Mohalla festival is celebrated during the Hindu religious festival of Holi, marking the congregation of Sikh devotees from all over the country. Photograph: Ajay Verma/Reuters" (source: The Guardian)

Picture of the Day: Happy Hola Mohalla 2013!

March 28, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

This week, Sikhs are celebrating Hola Mohalla, a three-day festival on the Sikh calendar that coincides with the Hindu celebration of Holi. Began in 1701 by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, this celebration is an exhibition of the martial tradition in the Sikh faith. The main festival takes place at Anandpur Sahib in India.

Categories: Events, Picture of the Day, Sikhism • Tags: Anandpur Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh, Hola Mohalla, India

Rajastani style painting of Guru Gobind Singh (seated on horse) entitled 'Journey to Deccan', circa AD 1770-80 (source: SikhSangat.com)

In honor of the “Rider of the Blue Horse”

January 18, 2013 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Today, Sikhs commemorate the birth of Guru Gobind Singh in 1666, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs and last in human form. His impact upon the followers of Nanak was transformational, so much so, that tens of millions of his followers remain inspired by his legacy over three centuries later. Happy Gurpurab!

Categories: Events • Tags: Guru Gobind Singh

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The mother of Guru Gobind Singh, Mata Gujri, imprisoned in an open tower with his two younger sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (source: Sikh Gurus and Sikh Gurdwaras)

Remembering the martyrdom of Mata Gujri, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh

December 26, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Today, Sikhs commemorate the martyrdom of the mother of Guru Gobind Singh, Mata Gujri, and his two younger sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (age 9) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (age 6). The three were kidnapped when the Sikhs were fell upon by Mughal forces in a surprise attack in 1705. With the aim of wounding the growing Sikh movement, the governor of Sirhind, Wazir Khan, attempted to coerce and then force the Guru’s children to convert to Islam or face death. […]

Categories: Events, Sikhism • Tags: Fatehgarh Sahib, Guru Gobind Singh, martyrdom, Mata Gujri, Sahibzada Fateh Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, Wazir Khan

Mandeep Sethi film SIKLIGAR now available online

December 15, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

Mandeep Sethi, a filmmaker and hip hop artist from California, has made available his recently-released documentary SIKLIGAR, an inside look into the history of the original weapons makers of the Khalsa Army. The Sikligar community traces their origin to Guru Gobind Singh in the 18th century, but now have been long forgotten and marginalized in India. More information about the film — and the charitable foundation taking up their cause — is below, and a recent interview with Mandeep Sethi […]

Categories: Sikhism, TV/Movies • Tags: A Little Happiness Foundation, Guru Gobind Singh, Mandeep Sethi, SIKLIGAR

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Picture of the Day: Tracy, CA, Sikhs participate in clothing giveaway

November 26, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

As in years prior, Sikhs in the city of Tracy, California came together to provide warm clothing to needy families this weekend: Organizers estimated that 2,000 to 3,000 men, women and children picked out new coats, gloves, socks and blankets at the Larch Clover Community Center on West Larch Road. Now in its 14th year, the event is organized by Tracy Sikhs and spearheaded by Mike Sandhu, co-owner of Sandhu Brothers Farms. “We are trying to help the needy people, […]

Categories: Picture of the Day • Tags: California, Guru Gobind Singh, Mike Sandhu, Sahibzada Fateh Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, Tracy

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Reflecting on Sikhism as a “peaceful” religion

October 2, 2012 by Rupinder Mohan Singh

In a thought-provoking article, Jodha, at the blog The Langar Hall, discusses the recent framing of Sikhism as a “peaceful” religion: My point isn’t whether Sikhs are peaceful or not, individuals come in all shapes and colors. The level of violence against women, against female fetuses, and often against one another, doesn’t seem to me that we are a particularly ‘peaceful’ people and should be so glib with our descriptions. Moving from Sikhs to Sikhi – I hope we never […]

Categories: Reflections, Sikhism • Tags: Guru Gobind Singh, Guru Hargobind, Khalsa, Kirpan, Sikhism

Considering the experience of Sikhs in America.

Tag: Guru Gobind Singh

Celebrating Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs

Guru Gobind Singh’s Zafarnama and Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Visiting Hemkund Sahib

Picture of the Day: Happy Hola Mohalla 2013!

In honor of the “Rider of the Blue Horse”

Remembering the martyrdom of Mata Gujri, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh

Mandeep Sethi film SIKLIGAR now available online

Picture of the Day: Tracy, CA, Sikhs participate in clothing giveaway

Reflecting on Sikhism as a “peaceful” religion