Sikhs follow the teaching of Gurus. The word Guru is a title which is often used in India for religious teachers.

Ten Gurus were important to the foundation of Sikhism, the first Guru was called Guru Nanak, he was born in India in All of the gurus lived in a part of India called Punjab.

In 1708 the tenth Guru said that there would be no more human Gurus after him – in future the teacher of the Sikhs would be their holy book. This is why their holy book is called Guru Granth Sahib. Granth is a word which means a large book. Sahib is a title which shows respect.

The Gurdwara is the Sikh place of worship. Gurdwara means ‘ Guru’s door’ or God’s house. It need not be a special building – it can be an ordinary house. The important thing is that the holy book is there.

Har Mandir Saheb, known as the Golden temple is the holiest shrine for the Sikhs, so called because the entire upper half was inlaid with copper covered over by gold plate.

The Khalsa is a name given to the membership of the brotherhood of Sikhs, but not all Sikhs are members. The male members of the Khalsa take the name Singh which means lion, the female members take the name Kaur which means princess. These names describe how Sikh members of the Khalsa should behave and be treated. The men, like lions, should be strong and brave but also gentle and caring. They should be treated with respect. The women should behave and be treated like princesses. The Khalsa is a name given to the membership of the brotherhood of Sikhs, but not all Sikhs are members. The male members of the Khalsa take the name Singh which means lion, the female members take the name Kaur which means princess. These names describe how Sikh members of the Khalsa should behave and be treated. The men, like lions, should be strong and brave but also gentle and caring. They should be treated with respect. The women should behave and be treated like princesses.

Just as Christians have a cross as their symbol, Sikhs have a symbol called a Khanda. Just as Christians have a cross as their symbol, Sikhs have a symbol called a Khanda.