Namdhari

Namdhari (also known as Kukas) 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)

Appearance

Namdharis are easily recognized by their practice of wearing white homespun clothing and by their method of tying the turban 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.

Leaders

Namdhari Sikhs believe fully in all Sikh Gurus 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^{[dubious – discuss]}, that Sri Guru Gobind Singh lived for 146 years (1666–1812)^[1] , eventually bestowing the succession on Balak Singh^[2] 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)^[3], 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 Granth 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.

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 kurtas (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 ^[4].

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^{[citation needed]}.

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.

References

1. ^ Textual sources for the study of Sikhism By W. H. McLeod
2. ^ Socio-religious reform movements in British India, Volume 3 By Kenneth W. Jones
3. ^ Students' Britannica India, Volumes 1–5 By Dale Hoiberg, Indu Ramchandani
4. ^ Singh, Bajinder Pal,2005, After 133 years of anonymity, Kukar martyrs finally get a name [1]

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