SGNC Committees

Sikh	(Literally the word Sikh means a student or learner) A Sikh is a member of a religious order founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century. He is a believer in one 'God' and a keeper of His 'IMAGE'. To say that SIKHISM is a branch of Hinduism is as much correct or incorrect as to say that Christianity is a branch of Judaism.
Guru	(Literally the word guru means teacher) Second level of its meaning is that the guru is a spiritual leader, a saint, a Enlightener. GU (darkness) RU (light); One who brings light into darkness. A teacher.. However, the meaning of the word Guru in Sikh terminology is at a further higher level, and it stands for the 'prophet'.
Waheguru	(Literally the word Waheguru means the wonderful teacher) To Sikhs 'Waheguru' stands for 'the God', the Lord, the Creator.
Gurdwara	(Literally the word Gurudwara means Guru's door/place) A Gurdwara is a place of worhip of the Sikhs. The use of the word 'temple' or 'Sikh temple' for a Gurdwara is as much correct or incorrect as to call a church- a Christian temple or a temple as a Hindu Church.
Gurpurb	Guru's remembrance day- the birth or death. May be treated as a holy day and holiday.
Guru-Granth	(Literally the word Granth means a large book) It is also called as the ADI-GRANTH; 'adi' means the original, first. The holy Guru Granth is not only the scriptures of the Sikh, it is regarded as the living 'body' (voice) of the Gurus, and thus accorded an extreme respect worthy of a prophet.
Granthi	The professional reader of the Guru Granth.
Khalsa	(Literally the word Khalsa means pure) The Sikh brotherhood.
Khanda	The emblem of the Sikh nation named after the double edged sword in the middle.
Singh	(Literally the word Singh means lion) Suffix for all male Sikh names- e.g. Ranjit Singh, Parminder Singh.
Kaur	(Literally the word Kaur means Princess) Suffix for all female Sikh names- e.g. Ranjit Kaur, Parminder Kaur.
Amrit	(Literally the word Amrit means the elixir of life) The holy water for the baptising ceremony; the nectar.
Amritsar	(Literally the word sar or srovar means the pool or the tank - thus the pool of nectar or elixir) Amritsar is the name of the holy city of the Sikhs.
Ardas	The prayer- or the act of praying with palms together.
Parshad	(Literally the word Parshad means food) The holy symbolic food (sweet) served after the conclusion of Sikh service and Ardas. Also called 'Karrah-parshad'.
Langar	The kitchen- which serves free food to all people irrespective of their caste, creed, colour or status. Where there is a Gurdwara, there is LANGAR.
Shabad	(Literally the word Shabad m eans word) The 'revealed word' uttered by the Guru; a hymn or a verse from the Holy Granth.
Keertan/Kirtan	The reciting or singing of God's praises 'Shabad'. Usually accompanied by a Vaajaa (Harmonium) and a set of Tablas (Drums) with occasional chhainay/kartaala ( cymbols) today. In olden-times, only string instruments were used. Keertan was propogated by the Gurus to be sung in Sangat (see below) in Raag ( measures of music). But, Panth has accepted the use of Gursikhi-oriented tunes for this purpose. NOTE: The central idea is always to sing the praises of the almighty.
Raaggi	The professional singer of the holy word or the 'shabad'.
Dhadhi	The professional ballad singer and narrator of Sikh history.
Baisakhi/Vaisakhi	The new year and the harvest festival of Punjab. Also an important Sikh festival marking the birth of the KHALSA.
Bhangra	The popular 'folk dance' of the people of Punjab.
Kesh	Long hair. Sikhs keep long hair as a symbol of humility and an acceptance of 'God's Will'.
Kangha	A special small wooden comb. Also symbolic of cleanliness and care.
Karra	The steel bangle which is symbolic of strength, unity and bondage.
Kaccha	A special type of pair of shorts or underpants.
Kirpaan	A Sikh sword. A small 15cm (6") kirpaan (sword) which a Sikh wears is symbolic of respect, justice and authority.
Panj Piarey	(Literally the word Panj Piarey means the five beloved ones; the original members of the Khalsa) Nowadays a body of any five baptised or fully practicing Sikhs (male or female) is regarded as capable of making decisions and making judgements on most Sikh matters.
Panth	Community. The whole Sikh community is considered the Panth.. The baptised Sikh comunity is known as 'Khalsa Panth'.
Sangat	The congregration in a Gurdwara.
Sabha	(Literally the word Sabha means a society or an association) Singh Sabha' means Sikh Organisation.
Gurbanee/Gurbani	The Gurus' Word. Divinely revealed hymns. Our religion is the only one of its kind that has the GREAT benefit of having our own Prophets record their hymns, in order to eradicate controversy. Gurbaani is written in the volume of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee (Sikh holy book) by the fifth Guru (Guru Arjaan Dayv Jee) and tenth Guru (Guru Gobind Singh Jee).
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru ji ki Fateh	Sikh Greeting - Pure belongs to GOD and Victory is of GOD.
Sat Sri Akal	Sikh Greeting - GOD is Truth.