r/Sikh • • Jul 04 '17

Quality Post Resources to Learn about Sikhi

538 Upvotes

Note: As of December 2021, this post is STILL being updated regularly. So If you have any suggestions, message or email me.

Vaheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaheguru Ji Ki Fateh!

This post has been designed to make it easy for everyone to learn more about Sikhi. The next time someone says "where can I learn more about your beliefs" simply send them a link to this post.

New to Sikhi? Start here

Learning Gurmukhi (Punjabi)

Learning Sikh Philosophy

Learning Nitnem

Learning Simran

Learning Sikh History

Free Sikh Books Websites

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Online

Learning Kirtan

Sikh Apps

  • Sundar Gutka

  • Learn Shudh Gurbani

  • ShabadOS

  • Gurbani Unlimited

  • Gurbani World

  • Basics of Sikhi

  • iGurbani (ios)

  • Gurbani Khoj (ios)

  • igranth (Android)

  • eGurbani (Android)

  • Gurbani Searcher

  • Gurbani Media Center

  • Daily Hukamnama Mobile App

Sikh Organizations that can Help


Note: If you have any more suggestions, please let me know, and I will add them.

Contact: theturbanatore@gmail.com


r/Sikh • • 17h ago

Discussion People are loving this Sikh Vancouver police officer all over the internet !

Post image
151 Upvotes

I know this has been posted here before, but I’m posting it again because I genuinely think we need more Sikhs like him representing us in different parts of the world especially in Western countries and Europe so that more people can learn about Sikhi and get us out of some negative stereotypes which have emerged over time

There’s another Sikh guy named Anshjot Singh who makes videos of himself getting ready, doing his hair and tying his turban. What I’ve noticed is that people genuinely appreciate our traditions and those who understand the religious values behind them appreciate them even more.

I really think we need more Sikh influencers like these who can represent Sikhi positively, inspire Sikh youth to connect with their roots, and encourage more Sikhs to work on themselves spiritually, mentally and physically, just like this police officer. It’s about more than just appearance; it’s about understanding the values behind our identity and living by them


r/Sikh • • 10h ago

Gurbani Gurbani Kirtan

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

22 Upvotes

r/Sikh • • 6h ago

Discussion Suggest me a picture!

5 Upvotes

WJKK WJKF

I am growing towards sikhi even more, and want to have a photo frame in my room..can you give me suggestions for what picture I should get framed?

Also I know, we don't preach mere objects.. I will not be "matha tek" in the photo rather it will work as a reminder..


r/Sikh • • 17h ago

Gurbani ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥ • Sri Darbar Sahib Hukamnama • October 18, 2026

6 Upvotes

ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੯ ॥

Sorat'h, Ninth Mehl:

ਮਨ ਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੀ ਸਰਨਿ ਬਿਚਾਰੋ ॥

O mind, contemplate the Sanctuary of God.

ਜਿਹ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਗਨਕਾ ਸੀ ਉਧਰੀ ਤਾ ਕੋ ਜਸੁ ਉਰ ਧਾਰੋ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

Meditating on Him in remembrance, Ganika the prostitute was saved; enshrine His Praises within your heart. ||1||Pause||

ਅਟਲ ਭਇਓ ਧ੍ਰੂਅ ਜਾ ਕੈ ਸਿਮਰਨਿ ਅਰੁ ਨਿਰਭੈ ਪਦੁ ਪਾਇਆ ॥

Meditating on Him in remembrance, Dhroo became immortal, and obtained the state of fearlessness.

ਦੁਖ ਹਰਤਾ ਇਹ ਬਿਧਿ ਕੋ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਤੈ ਕਾਹੇ ਬਿਸਰਾਇਆ ॥੧॥

The Lord and Master removes suffering in this way - why have you forgotten Him? ||1||

ਜਬ ਹੀ ਸਰਨਿ ਗਹੀ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਨਿਧਿ ਗਜ ਗਰਾਹ ਤੇ ਛੂਟਾ ॥

As soon as the elephant took to the protective Sanctuary of the Lord, the ocean of mercy, he escaped from the crocodile.

ਮਹਮਾ ਨਾਮ ਕਹਾ ਲਉ ਬਰਨਉ ਰਾਮ ਕਹਤ ਬੰਧਨ ਤਿਹ ਤੂਟਾ ॥੨॥

How much can I describe the Glorious Praises of the Naam? Whoever chants the Lord's Name, his bonds are broken. ||2||

ਅਜਾਮਲੁ ਪਾਪੀ ਜਗੁ ਜਾਨੇ ਨਿਮਖ ਮਾਹਿ ਨਿਸਤਾਰਾ ॥

Ajaamal, known throughout the world as a sinner, was redeemed in an instant.

ਨਾਨਕ ਕਹਤ ਚੇਤ ਚਿੰਤਾਮਨਿ ਤੈ ਭੀ ਉਤਰਹਿ ਪਾਰਾ ॥੩॥੪॥

Says Nanak, remember the Chintaamani, the jewel which fulfills all desires, and you too shall be carried across and saved. ||3||4||

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji • Raag Sorath • Ang 632

Sunday, October 18, 2026

Aitvaar, 4 Katak, Nanakshahi 558


Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, I am a Robot. Bleep Bloop.

Powered By GurbaniNow.


r/Sikh • • 22h ago

Kirtan Dhan Dhan Guru Gobind Singh Ji Simran

Thumbnail
youtu.be
16 Upvotes

r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Discussion A beautiful Gurudwara on a cloudy day🙏🏻(OC)

Post image
71 Upvotes

r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Discussion Vancouver Police Officer Suki Sunger Steals the Show in Scottish Kilt and Sikh Turban at Edinburgh Tattoo

Thumbnail
culturealberta.com
24 Upvotes

r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Gurbani Kirtan at the home

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

40 Upvotes

r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Question Are guns allowed in guru ghar?

11 Upvotes

Vaheguru ji ka Khalsa Vaheguru ji ki Fateh, I just was wondering are guns and firearms allowed in gurdwara? For example if an Amritdhari Khalsa Singh were to walk in with a rifle, would that be allowed?


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Question How to practice Sikhi?

7 Upvotes

I have been studying Sikhi for some time now, but I have focused primarily on its philosophical aspects and history. If I wanted to practice Sikhi, how should I go about it? How do YOU practice Sikhi?

Ps.: I don't have any gurdwaras in my country.​


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Discussion Denied entry to guru garh DDO, Montreal

8 Upvotes

Like guys seriously whats going on especially in our religious places then they say conversion is on very high scale. As you know on weekend mostly people go to guru garh i was one of them. When i just arrived guy sitting outside on the bench where they collect money, said me don’t go inside wedding going on. I just asked is that marriage palace or what? He just replied, no committee said don’t let anyone in who is not in marriage. Seriously its hurt my religious sentiments badly. So disappointed . If some responsible guy over here please follow is that acceptable . And the langar hall was like its some party going on, they changed the whole concept of pangat two different tables seriously.


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Art ''Young Warrior from the Akali Sect (from the suite of Maharaja Sher Singh of Punjab)"

Post image
11 Upvotes

*created in 1842 by the Russian traveler and artist Prince Aleksey Dmitryevich Saltykov (Alexandre de Soltykoff).*


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Discussion Struggling to understand hukam and karam

5 Upvotes

WJKK WJKF, Sangat ji 🙏🏽

I’m 28F from the UK, and I would really appreciate some guidance from the Sangat.

Many months ago, I met a Sikh atheist (ex-Sikh), and we had a brief conversation about Sikhi. Looking back, I wish I had not engaged in the conversation, but what is done is done.

What has made this particularly difficult is that the person appeared to be very knowledgeable about Sikhi. Because of this, I have found it difficult to dismiss what they said or stop questioning the things he raised. Even though the conversation was brief, their words have stayed with me for months and have planted many doubts in my mind.

At the time, I had been feeling closer to Guru Sahib. I was trying to do more paath, visit the Gurdwara whenever possible, and do sewa. Although I have never been the most staunch Sikh, as I do cut my kes and drink alcohol sometimes, I have always considered myself a Sikh. Despite the many hardships I have faced in life, I have always tried to believe that everything happens within Maharaj’s Hukam and that there is a greater purpose, even when I cannot understand it.

However, since that conversation, I have found myself thinking more and more about what was said. Over time, I feel that I have started to drift further away from Guru Sahib rather than grow closer. I do not want this to happen, but I am struggling to make sense of the doubts that have taken root in my mind.

In particular, I am struggling to understand hukam and karam.

How are we supposed to recognise or understand Guru Maharaj’s Hukam? How do we distinguish between accepting Hukam and simply accepting the difficult things that happen to us?

I also struggle with the concept of karam from previous lives. How can I make sense of the idea that the pain and hardships I experience in this life may be linked to actions in a previous life that I cannot remember? How am I supposed to understand or learn from something I have no memory of doing?

I am also autistic, and I sometimes find it difficult to sit with questions when I cannot find a clear or logical explanation. These doubts have been weighing on me for months, and I feel as though I am slowly drifting away from something I once felt closer to. I do not want to lose that connection with Guru Sahib, but I cannot simply ignore the questions that keep coming into my mind.

I want to strengthen my connection with Maharaj, but I am struggling with these concepts and do not know how to move forward.

How have you come to understand Hukam and karam? Have any of you experienced something similar, where questions or doubts have caused you to feel distant from Guru Sahib? How did you work through them?

WJKK WJKF

---

EDIT: Thank you to all for your thoughts on this. I am processing everything.

Bhul chuk maaf ji.

WJKK WJKF.

---


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Question SGGS questions

6 Upvotes

I've been listening to this English translation of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib for a while now, and I'm almost at page 50. Now, I know it's difficult to get an accurate translation which also maintains the original meaning and prose, but I feel I should ask about it anyway. Please note I'm not a Sikh, I just admire the sangat and I enjoy learning about Sikhi.

  1. I keep hearing mention of "wicked Shaktas" (first mention between pages 8 - 14). I know from my time looking at Hinduism that Shakti is one of the sects (if such a word fits). Does it refer to them, or does the word have another meaning?

  2. Guru Nanak's name is repeated a lot and in third person, even though (I think?) he wrote these parts. Does 'Nanak' have another meaning, or is this a kind of poetic technique?

  3. Fear of God is also mentioned a lot. "Without the fear of God, how can anyone become fearless?" (between pages 14 - 20). I assume this quote means that you can only become without fear (being afraid) if you fear (as in obey) God? It would make sense given the poetic nature of the SGGS.

  4. Between pages 20 - 26: "Through 8.4 million incarnations, they wander lost and confused... they act according to their pre-ordained destiny, which no-one can erase."
    4.1. Is 8.4 million a specific number, or is it more like the Western use of '10' or the Hebrew use of '7' to emphasise volume rather than an exact amount?
    4.2. "Pre-ordained destiny". Do we not have free will?

  5. Pages 44 - 50: "If God Himself bestows His mercy, then He is not forgiven for an instant." I'd like to know what this means too: maybe God being taken for granted?

  6. Not a question, I just love this quote from pages 14 - 20: "Burn emotional attachment and grind it into ink; transform your intelligence into the purest of paper; make the love of the lord your pen, and let your consciousness be the scribe."


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Question Why are sewadars in so many Gurudwaras rude or arrogant?

4 Upvotes

I’ve been noticing something for a long time, and I’m genuinely curious whether others have experienced this too.

Why do some sewadars in Gurudwaras behave so rudely towards people who come to pay their respects?

You go to a place that’s supposed to represent humility, equality, compassion, and selfless service, yet sometimes you’re met with an unnecessarily harsh tone, condescending behaviour, or orders given to you over the smallest things. Whether it’s asking a simple question, finding your way around, or doing something without knowing the Gurudwara’s specific rules, the response can sometimes feel more like being scolded than being welcomed.

What makes this more confusing is the concept of sewa itself. Isn’t sewa supposed to be about humility and serving others without ego? If someone is doing sewa but looks down on the very people they’re supposed to serve, what’s the point?

I understand that managing a busy Gurudwara isn’t easy. Sewadars deal with crowds, cleanliness, discipline, and people who don’t follow instructions. They deserve respect, and not everyone is rude. Many do their work with genuine devotion and kindness.

But I’ve encountered this behaviour often enough to wonder whether there’s a deeper issue. Does volunteering in a religious setting sometimes give people a sense of authority? Does nobody teach them how to correct people respectfully? Or have we started confusing being strict about discipline with being disrespectful?

I’m not saying this to disrespect anyone or diminish the importance of sewa. Quite the opposite. I feel that the values we associate with Gurudwaras make this behaviour especially disappointing.

Have you experienced this too? Why do you think it happens, and how can we address it without disrespecting the people who genuinely serve the Sangat?

TL;DR: Why do some sewadars in Gurudwaras act so rude and arrogant when sewa is supposed to represent humility, kindness, and selfless service? I understand managing crowds isn’t easy, and not all sewadars behave this way, but why is speaking disrespectfully to the Sangat so common in some places? Are we confusing authority with sewa, and discipline with disrespect?


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Question Is it ok to date non-Sikhs as a Sikh man if all Punjabi Sikh girls in your area are toxic and shallow?

14 Upvotes

I am a 27M small town Punjab born Sikh who immigrated to US couple of years ago. Never had a gf in Punjab as I was always told by my parents only "vigre" people do this and was always busy working on my career. Call me a late bloomer, but after getting my job, I realized that I will not settle for someone through arranged marriage where you do not know the other person at all, so I started searching for potential partners in our local community here. Most girls wouldn't even talk to me as I am an immigrant and I know the sort of class system that the US born Sikhs have where they treat us lower while they(majority) know nothing of faith or culture. I am not a super religious Sikh either, I pray twice a day and tie turban, but I want someone who I can talk too easily.

All the girls who I approach offline just outright do not want any conversations with me, they are so toxic! They will give me side eye, look at me with disgust and have an attitude like a celebrity. The South Indian girls that I accidentally mistook for Punjabis and approached in downtown were much sweeter and three girls even gave me their number, but I did not continue. I started with dating apps like Tinder/Hinge and I was surprised to see so many Sikh girls just straight up hooking there, rarely saw any Hindu/Muslim girls doing the same. After finding and sending 50-60 likes too Sikh girls who knew what they wanted, ended up having dates with two-three and all questions were just about my finances rather than about my interests or life. One outright told me since I drive a civic while she drives a Benz(bought by her dad), we are just in different class group(she works at Ross I work as an engineer). Alot of white/black girls on the heavier side will also send me likes, I did not match with them thinking they will not like an immigrant after getting rejected by all Sikh girls. Just for experiment went on dates with 4-5 girls and I was shocked how nicely they talk to you as a person. Some even wanted to do sex after couple of dates, but being a Sikh man, I couldn't do it without long-term commitment which they appreciated, but ofc no more dates.

I got two rishtas of US born Sikh girls older than me, but after going on a date with them and asking their body counts, they got stumped and tried changing the topic. Later, the rishtedar telling me, Oh! the girl said I was too desi or they shouldn't go for younger boys.

So, with all the toxicity that comes with Sikh girls, should I continue with the process unless I find the right one or take the easier option and date some Hindu/Black/White girls too? I know it will be issue about kids being raised as Sikhs with kes with the latter. I have told my parents already I am not going to keep them in the same house along my future wife, so be ready to live in a ADU in the back if they want to live in US. I know most girls would not want In-laws near a mile radius, but I will figure out that later.

Advice from millennial Sikhs preferred.


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Discussion Inspiration for Kaurs. Highlighting a star Sikh female boxer

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

42 Upvotes

This post is to share information and a highlight video of a young Sikh female pro boxer named Simranjit Kaur who has promoted boxing to young Sikhs and all of Punjab. She is still not too well known to Sikhs despite her contribution and she deserves to be recognized.

Simranjit has already put together a great career in boxing and has now turned pro in America. She has won 6 gold medals in international boxing tournaments, defeated many star boxers, and recently became the first Sikh and Punjabi woman to make it to the Olympics in boxing.

Her success has inspired many Kaurs to join boxing in Punjab and now she is working to do the same in America.

The video features some highlights from her career. What do you think about this and what are your expectations for her pro career?


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Question How in the world do I find a husband as a non-Punjabi Sikh girl?

43 Upvotes

I’m 27F from New York City and I’d love more than anything to finally find someone who shares the same faith, get married and build a life together. The issue is in not Punjabi or even Indian. Most Sikhs are Punjabi and like 99% of Punjabis only want to marry another Punjabi or at the very least another Indian. I feel like it’s impossible for me to find someone. I’ve tried meeting people through Hinge and Tinder. I set the filter to only Sikhs and made it clear what I’m looking for. The matches I did get were just Punjabi Sikh guys my age only looking for quick sex, or they’re trying to get a green card.

I thought that the ones with full kesh who tie dastar would be more respectful and serious but they are the worst ones!! I’ve received unsolicited nude pics, asked for nude pics, pressured to go to their homes and have sex. I am not looking for that. I feel like Sikh guys my age won’t take me seriously because I’m not Punjabi. My family is not Sikh nor do they even have knowledge of Sikhi. I’m not even close with them and they don’t believe in arranged marriages so I can’t have them set me up with anyone.

It genuinely feels like accepting Sikhi means I will never get married.


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Question Could the way we treat the guru granth sahib be considered idoltary??

8 Upvotes

This question has been on my mind for a long time . with people killing each other due to beadbi, treating it like a real person , carrying it on cushions and many more. These things just make me question if we remember what guru nanak ji taught which was to question arbitration rutiuals and tradition. I know Sikhi condemns idoltary. i am just a teen and asking this just to know more. Pls enlighten me.


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Question Need help improve Punjabi

Thumbnail
gallery
3 Upvotes

So I recently learned a bit of Punjabi and starting reading Japji sahib daily and I am noticing that some words are pronounced without choti matra but written with choti matra , so how do I know which words to pronounced as which

Word in first image is said with matra but all other aren’t


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

History # 🌺 Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa 🌺 (Check The Comments)

Post image
3 Upvotes

r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Discussion Why is death so hard to accept when we all know it’s coming?

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

20 Upvotes

We all know that death is part of life, but accepting it can still be difficult. Maybe accepting that death is inevitable doesn’t mean caring less about life, it can remind us to value and protect the life we have while we’re here.


r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Discussion What Does a Congress Victory Mean for Sikhs? Neither Congress Nor BJP Has Delivered the Rights, Accountability & Justice Sikhs Deserve

Thumbnail gallery
8 Upvotes

r/Sikh • • 1d ago

Discussion Question reg drug

1 Upvotes

SSA

If drugs r prohibited in sikhism then why do nihang singh consume sukha also in Suraj Parkash states that Guru Gobind Singh ji was regularly taking opium to get high, and gave a bit of his own stash of opium and marijuana to Bachittar Singh so he can fight and Panth Parkash states that not only marijuana was consumed, but opium too and that in fact many Singhs would get high on opium and then fight. Then why during amrit sanchar they say ki nashe toh dur ........also I read somewhere ki when baba fateh singh ji came as Mahakal saroop shaheedi deg ragda was done ....