Namdhari
Encyclopedia
Namdhari are a sect of Sikhism
. The main difference between Namdhari Sikhs and mainstream Sikhs is their belief in Jagjit Singh as their living Guru (as opposed to the Guru Granth Sahib
, the present Guru of Sikhs). Other differences include being: strict vegetarians; placing equal importance between the Guru Granth Sahib
(Adi Granth) and the Dasam Granth
(the holy book written by the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh
).
Namdhari Sikhs are also very well known in the classical musical circles, producing stellar classical music artists like the Grammy award
winning tabla
player Sukhwinder Singh
(Pinky)
horizontally across the forehead. Around their necks they wear a white woolen cord (mala), woven as a series of 108 knots and serving as a rosary
.
from Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji onwards and respect both Sri Aad and Dasam Guru's Granth Sahibs equally. Namdharis believe, as per the scholar Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha's narration, that Sri Guru Gobind Singh
lived for 146 years (1666–1812) , eventually bestowing the succession on Balak Singh
of Hazro in 1812. Thus, Balak Singh became the 1st Namdhari Leader for the Namdharis.
His successor, the 2nd Namdhari Leader, Ram Singh
(1816–1885), is revered in the Namdhari sect as arguably the most important Guru. His status in the Namdhari sect is similar to that of Guru Nanak Dev in mainstream Sikhism. Although he was exiled from India by the then British rulers in 1872, every Namdhari believes that he is still alive and will soon return to lead the Namdharis.
The 3rd Namdhari Leader was Hari Singh (1819–1906) who passed on the leadership to Partap Singh (1890–1959).
At present, Jagjit Singh is the leader of the Namdharis, He was born in 1920 and attained "Guruship" in 1959.
Sahib and Sri Dasam Granth
Sahib, and they include the Sri Dasam Granth
Sahib composition Chandi di Var
in their daily Nitnem
(daily prayers taken from Sikh scripture).
Namdharis follow the path of Guru Nanak Dev, which is the bedrock of Sikh philosophy i.e. Nam Simran (meditating on God's name), Kirat Karo (Earn thy living), Vand Chako (Share thy wealth). The fundamental core of Namdharis' religious life is Nam Simran and the word Namdhari literally translated means a "one who beholds God’s Name".
The Namdharis lead a very simple, humble and unpretentious life. They don't practice dowry
's in any form. Their marriage ceremonies are unostentatious and shorn of all pompousness, in which neither the bride nor the groom wear any jewellery. Bhog is done for Sehaj Pahths done by Bride and Groom for their marriage.
s (long shirt)and the long white kachhera (shorts) underneath . Namdharis are instructed to boycott whoever involves in female foeticide or exchange marriages.
The most sacred Namdhari Gurudwara , considered to be the Headquarters is situated at Bhaini Sahib in Ludhiana, Punjab . Most of the Namdhari population resides at Bhaini Sahib and the neighboring areas in North India.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
. The main difference between Namdhari Sikhs and mainstream Sikhs is their belief in Jagjit Singh as their living Guru (as opposed to the Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
, the present Guru of Sikhs). Other differences include being: strict vegetarians; placing equal importance between the Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
(Adi Granth) and the Dasam Granth
Dasam Granth
Dasven Patshah Da Granth or Dasam Granth , often called Sri Dasam Granth Sahib with respect, is a scripture of Sikhism, containing some of the texts attributed to 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Although the Dasam Granth is commonly confused with the Guru Granth Sahib, there is no overlap in...
(the holy book written by the 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
).
Namdhari Sikhs are also very well known in the classical musical circles, producing stellar classical music artists like the Grammy award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
winning tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
player Sukhwinder Singh
Sukhwinder Singh
Sukhwinder Singh, Born as Sukhi Singh Lubana is an Indian singer best known for working as Bollywood playback artist. Singh is famous for singing "Chaiyya Chaiyya" for which he won the Best Male Playback Award at the 1999 Filmfare Awards. The song, from Mani Ratnam's 1998 film Dil Se, was composed...
(Pinky)
Appearance
Namdharis are easily recognized by their practice of wearing white homespun clothing and by their method of tying the turbanTurban
In English, Turban refers to several types of headwear popularly worn in the Middle East, North Africa, Punjab, Jamaica and Southwest Asia. A commonly used synonym is Pagri, the Indian word for turban.-Styles:...
horizontally across the forehead. Around their necks they wear a white woolen cord (mala), woven as a series of 108 knots and serving as a rosary
Rosary
The rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
.
Leaders
Namdhari Sikhs believe fully in all Sikh GurusSikh Gurus
The Sikh Gurus established Sikhism from over the centuries beginning in the year 1469. Sikhism was founded by the first guru, Guru Nanak, and subsequently, all in order were referred to as "Nanak", and as "Lights", making their teachings in the holy scriptures, equivalent...
from Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji onwards and respect both Sri Aad and Dasam Guru's Granth Sahibs equally. Namdharis believe, as per the scholar Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha's narration, that Sri Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh is the tenth and last Sikh guru in a sacred lineage of ten Sikh gurus. Born in Patna, Bihar in India, he was also a warrior, poet and philosopher. He succeeded his father Guru Tegh Bahadur as the leader of Sikhs at a young age of nine...
lived for 146 years (1666–1812) , eventually bestowing the succession on Balak Singh
Balak Singh
Balak Singh , was an Indian Sikh religious leader who founded Namdhari sect.-External links:*http://www.sikh-heritage.co.uk/gurus/Guru%20Balak/Balak%20Singh.htm*http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/events/namdhari.html...
of Hazro in 1812. Thus, Balak Singh became the 1st Namdhari Leader for the Namdharis.
His successor, the 2nd Namdhari Leader, Ram Singh
Ram Singh
Ram Singh was a religious leader and social reformer and the first Indian to use non-cooperation and boycotting of British merchandise and services as a political weapon. He was the religious leader of the Namdhari sect of Sikhism...
(1816–1885), is revered in the Namdhari sect as arguably the most important Guru. His status in the Namdhari sect is similar to that of Guru Nanak Dev in mainstream Sikhism. Although he was exiled from India by the then British rulers in 1872, every Namdhari believes that he is still alive and will soon return to lead the Namdharis.
The 3rd Namdhari Leader was Hari Singh (1819–1906) who passed on the leadership to Partap Singh (1890–1959).
At present, Jagjit Singh is the leader of the Namdharis, He was born in 1920 and attained "Guruship" in 1959.
Beliefs
The Namdharis are strict vegetarians and vigorous protectors of animals. They attach equal importance to Sri Adi GranthAdi Granth
Adi Granth is the early compilation of the Sikh Scriptures by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru, in 1604. This Granth is the Holy Scripture of the Sikhs. The tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh added further holy Shabads to this Granth during the period 1704 to 1706...
Sahib and Sri Dasam Granth
Dasam Granth
Dasven Patshah Da Granth or Dasam Granth , often called Sri Dasam Granth Sahib with respect, is a scripture of Sikhism, containing some of the texts attributed to 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Although the Dasam Granth is commonly confused with the Guru Granth Sahib, there is no overlap in...
Sahib, and they include the Sri Dasam Granth
Dasam Granth
Dasven Patshah Da Granth or Dasam Granth , often called Sri Dasam Granth Sahib with respect, is a scripture of Sikhism, containing some of the texts attributed to 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. Although the Dasam Granth is commonly confused with the Guru Granth Sahib, there is no overlap in...
Sahib composition Chandi di Var
Chandi di Var
Chandi di Var, also known as Var Sri Bhagauti Ji is a composition included in the 5th chapter of Dasam Granth. It is based on an episode from the Sanskrit work Markandeya Purana, and describes the conflict between the Gods and the Demons...
in their daily Nitnem
Nitnem
Nit Nem is a collaboration of different banis that were designated to be read by sikhs every day.The Nit Nem bani's usually include the Panj bania which are read in the morning 1am and Rehras Sahib in the evening 6pm and Kirtan Sohila at night 9pm*Japji Sahib *Jaap Sahib *Tav-Prasad Savaiye*Benti...
(daily prayers taken from Sikh scripture).
Namdharis follow the path of Guru Nanak Dev, which is the bedrock of Sikh philosophy i.e. Nam Simran (meditating on God's name), Kirat Karo (Earn thy living), Vand Chako (Share thy wealth). The fundamental core of Namdharis' religious life is Nam Simran and the word Namdhari literally translated means a "one who beholds God’s Name".
The Namdharis lead a very simple, humble and unpretentious life. They don't practice dowry
Dowry
A dowry is the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings forth to the marriage. It contrasts with bride price, which is paid to the bride's parents, and dower, which is property settled on the bride herself by the groom at the time of marriage. The same culture may simultaneously practice both...
's in any form. Their marriage ceremonies are unostentatious and shorn of all pompousness, in which neither the bride nor the groom wear any jewellery. Bhog is done for Sehaj Pahths done by Bride and Groom for their marriage.
Restrictions
Aside from being vegetarians, the Namdharis are not allowed to drink tap water. Water must be drawn from the lake or captured from rain and from well. Some conservative Namdharis don't wear anything else except a white oval shaped turban (for men) and white kurtaKurta
A kurta is a traditional item of clothing worn in Afghanistan, Pakistan , Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It is a loose shirt falling either just above or somewhere below the knees of the wearer, and is worn by both men and women...
s (long shirt)and the long white kachhera (shorts) underneath . Namdharis are instructed to boycott whoever involves in female foeticide or exchange marriages.
Role in Indian freedom movement
Namdharis played a significant role in the Indian freedom struggle against the British. They are regarded as among the first votaries of the use of non-violence, much before the Indian national movement adopted it as its credo. 66 Namdhari Sikhs were blown up by a canon in 1872 for protesting against the British. A memorial to the martyrs has been created at Malerkotla in Indian Punjab .Other information
There are currently Namdhari Temples (Dharamshalas) in many areas of the world, especially countries in South East Asia such as Thailand. However, one may also find Namdharis residing in the rest in the world including Canada, US and the United Kingdom.The most sacred Namdhari Gurudwara , considered to be the Headquarters is situated at Bhaini Sahib in Ludhiana, Punjab . Most of the Namdhari population resides at Bhaini Sahib and the neighboring areas in North India.
Symbols
The Namdhari flag is white, which symbolizes their Tenets: Truth, Purity, Simplicity, Peace and Unity. It was hoisted by the 2nd Namdhari Leader – Ram Singh on the eve of the Baisakhi Festival – 1st Baisakh Samat 1914 (April 12, 1857). However, the Nishaan as by the command of Guru Gobind singh Ji still remains as the prominent symbol in Sikh Gurudwaras.External links
- http://www.sribhainisahib.com
- http://www.beantpatshah.info
- http://namdhari.faithweb.com
- http://sikhradio.vze.com
- http://www.namdharivirasat.com
- http://www.namdhari-world.com
- http://namdhari-fact.tk
- http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article891.html
- http://www.kukasikhs.com/kukasikhs/mklpage.htm
- http://punjabrevenue.nic.in/gaz_bath3.htm , Struggle for Freedom (Department of Punjab Revenue)
- http://www.sikhmarg.com/2007/0902-bhag2-kautak34.html