Anand Karaj – The Sikh wedding ceremony.
Ardaas – A Sikh prayer, addressed directly to God. Ardas is said on several occasions, such as after the completion of morning, evening or night prayers. It is also said at the beginning and/or end of an important event. It is always done while standing.
Chaur Sahib – A flowing wisk that is respectfully waved over the Guru Granth Sahib to indicate its sovereignty.
Darbar Sahib/Diwan Hall – This is the main hall in the gurdwara in which the religious services are held, with the Guru Granth Sahib (see Guru Granth Sahib) placed at the front.
Giani – Someone learned in the Sikh religion.
Granthi – Granthi’s prime duties include arranging daily services, reading, teaching and explaining the Sikh scripture (see Guru Granth Sahib). More generally, a Granthi is responsible for the care of the gurdwara (see Gurdwara), the Guru Granth Sahib, and also to teach and advise community members.
Gurbani – The contents of the Sikh scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji containing the revealed wisdom of the Sikh Gurus. Out of all known religions, the Sikh scripture is unique. The Sikh Gurus personally put their thoughts and words to paper and ink.
Gurdwara – A Sikh place of worship.
Gurmukhi – The script of the Guru Granth Sahib, which is also used in modern Punjabi.
Gurpurab – Sikh holiday commemorating the birth or death of a Sikh Guru.
Guru – Divinely inspired spiritual prophet-teacher. Refers to one of the ten founders of the Sikh faith, the Sikh scripture or God.
Guru Granth Sahib – The Sikh scripture, written mostly in the form of hymns and poetry, it includes the writings of six of the Sikh Gurus as well as the devotional writings of 36 other saints, both muslim and hindu. It is 1,430 pages long and is the embodiment of the spiritual knowledge and authority of all of the Gurus, and is treated with the utmost reverence by Sikhs.
Hukam/ Hukum/ Hukumnama – A daily reading taken at random from the Sikh scriptures considered by Sikhs as the “command of the Guru” for the day. A new Hukumnama is taken each day.
Katha – A religious sermon on Sikh theology, history, or discourse on hymn(s) from the Guru Granth Sahib, usually conducted by a Giani or Granthi.
Karah Parshad – A dish of sacred pudding prepared and served at all religious ceremonies conducted in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib. It is served after the reading of the hukam. By accepting the karah parshad, Sikhs symbolically accept the hukam as the sweet blessing of their Guru and agree to take it to heart.
Kirtan – Singing hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, usually accompanied by instruments. The singing of Kirtan is a primary form of worship for Sikhs.
Langar – The devotional meal eaten by the congregation as part of the religious service. Langar is free and open to all, regardless of religious background, class, color or ethnicity. A central part of Sikh practice, its roots lie in the promotion of equality among all humanity, and the rejection of the hindu caste system, which forbade people of different castes (social and occupational standings) from eating together.
Matha Tekhna – Bowing down and touching the floor with one’s forehead in front of the Guru Granth Sahib.
It is important to note that Sikhs do not bow before the actual book itself, as some type of idol. By bowing, Sikhs are submitting themselves to the scripture: the knowledge and true written words of the Gurus and other saints within. Sikhs may perform Matha Tekana as they enter the Darbar Sahib/ Diwan Hall. Sikhs generally place a donation in front of the scripture, which is used for the management of the gurdwara, but this is not mandatory.
Nitnem – Sikh daily prayers. Sikhs are required to pray three times a day, with the longest prayers early in the morning, shorter prayers in the evening, and the shortest prayer just before going to bed.
Palki – A canopy above the Sikh scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, to signify the respect of its authority. This practice is derived from the traditional treatment of kings in India.
Prakash – A short ceremony performed when the Guru Granth Sahib is formally opened each day.
Ragi – A musician who is trained in the singing of sacred Sikh hymns.
Sangat – Sikh congregation or community.
Sat Sri Akal – meaning “God is True and Timeless”. This saying is often mistaken for the official Sikh greeting which is “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh”.
Shabad – A sacred Sikh hymn.
Tabla and Harmonium musical instruments, a set of small drums and a piano like instrument respectively, used to perform Kirtan. These are musical instruments used by Sikhs from the 19th Century.
Waheguru/ Vaheguru – The name for God most commonly used by Sikhs meaning “Wonderful Lord/ God/ Teacher”. Sikhs use several names for God encompassing those used by other religions. Meditating on the name of God is paramount to Sikhs, and the name Waheguru is considered by Sikhs to be the culmination of all aspects of God.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh – Literally meaning “The pure (Khalsa) belong to the wonderful Lord (Waheguru), Victory (Fateh) is the wonderful Lord’s (Waheguru’s)”. This is the traditional Sikh greeting. It is said before the beginning of and at the conclusion of programs at the gurdwara like katha, announcements, and kirtan. Guru Gobind Singh, the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs, gave this greeting to Sikhs on the day he established the Sikh ceremony known as Amrit.