We finished up our dinner in downtown Delhi and headed home as a very united, satisfied, group. As we strolled along, we took in the night villages, which pop up as the sun falls down. Children ran about scavenging for food or money and were summoned back to their parents for sponge baths in the middle of the square. People were everywhere, scattered about on benches and cardboard cutouts. Indian women lurched toward us, offering henna tattoos and bangles- “Special price. Only for You”. A wealthy woman strolled by in her exquisite saree and jumped into a car, seemingly oblivious to this unfolding scene. We continued on and saw a golden dome looming prophetically above a scarf-selling stall. A random man came over stared at us
and said “Beautiful”, before walking away. We pulled out our cameras and instantly captured the moment. Mesmerized, we weaved our way across the crowd following a continuation of the same scene. Stray dogs fighting. Street vendors pushing. Children washing. Several different entrances with attached parking lots led to this central mecca of the Sikh Religion in Delhi- The Gudwara Bangla Sahib. It was created in honor of Harkrishan Dev, the eighth Sikh guru. He was in this very area, where the temple was constructed in 1664, for many months in order to better the living situation at the time for the ill and the poor. (136) As we approached the temple, we were overwhelmed by the smells and sights. Food was readily available- both to purchase and to eat for free. We stood for a long time deciding whom to send in as our scouts with the requisite headscarf. However, all of our musings were put to an end when a kind woman pointed over to the shoe minders and explained that they had scarves to lend out. We piously approached the ‘in’ and ‘out’ gated lines and turned in our shoes in exchange for numbered chips. Then we passed through the area where worshippers systematically stepped into a footbath and washed their hands in a communal sink. After that, our group walked up the huge walkway leading up to the entryway where we tried to imitate the bowing movement that the other visitors completed as they entered the building. We were immediately approached by a kind man who sat down with us on the rug and thoroughly explained his beliefs.
In the Sikh religion, there are five Kakkars or emblems: kesh (not to cut one’s hair for saintliness), kangha (to keep the hair in good condition), kaccha (loose-fitting undergarment, designed to exude modesty), karpan (knife which represents power and dignity) and karra (steel bracelet, which stands for fearlessness). All of these items are to be worn and all of these practices are to be followed at all times. Even when Sikh followers shower, they must keep these objects attached to some part of their body. True followers do not drink alcohol, cut their hair, indulge in a woman other than their spouse, or use their knife except to protect an endangered woman. Sikhs call themselves “Singh” which means “lion”. Langar is a meal offered in the basement of the temple, which is free to all people no matter what their caste or class or age ranking or religious inclination. (71)
Sikhism arose from people who felt that Muslim or Hindu rituals and beliefs were unfulfilling as well as unjust. It holds true to the same principles of rebirth and karma, but deviates from what Sikhists feel are other unfavorable religious restrictions in those religions. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, believed in the equality of all people regardless of caste, which was very forward thinking for his time. His frustration with other religions was spurred on by the fact that only Brahmins were allowed to perform the highest of sacred procedures in other religions at the time. He lived from 1469- 1539. He preached that meditation was critical and could lead to miracles. The Guru Granth Sahib showcases the preaching of the 10 Sikh gurus.
This experience was not only significant in terms of the facts that we learned. Instead, it had a tremendous impact because it showed us the importance of religious tolerance.
Works Cited: Singh, Sarina. “India”. Lonely Planet. 13th edition. USA: Sep 2009.
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