Sikh Knowledge Hub
Plain explanations of the terms and practices WAHEGURU is built around.
What is Seva?
Seva is selfless service — work done for others without expecting anything back, whether that's serving langar, cleaning a Gurdwara, or helping a stranger. It's one of the core practices of Sikh life, alongside Naam Japna (remembering God) and Vand Chakna (sharing what you have).
What is Sangat?
Sangat means the community or congregation — the people who gather together, whether at a Gurdwara or anywhere Sikhs come together in fellowship. Sitting and serving together as equals, regardless of background, is central to what Sangat means.
What is a Gurdwara?
Gurdwara means "the Guru's door." It's a Sikh place of worship, where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the Sikh scripture, treated as the living Guru) is present. Every Gurdwara also runs a langar — a free community kitchen open to anyone, regardless of faith.
What is Kirtan?
Kirtan is the singing of Gurbani (the Guru's own hymns) set to raag (musical measures), usually performed with instruments like the tabla and harmonium. It's one of the main ways Sikhs engage with Gurbani in a communal setting.
What is a Ragi?
A Ragi (or Ragi Singh) is a Sikh musician trained to perform kirtan in the correct raag. A Ragi group performing together is often called a Ragi Jatha, and typically includes a lead singer (Mukh Raagi), supporting vocalists (Sahayak Raagi), and a tabla player.
What is a Kirtani Jatha?
A Kirtani Jatha is a group that performs kirtan together as a unit, often travelling to different Gurdwaras and programmes rather than being based at one place.
What is Simran?
Simran is the practice of remembering and repeating God's name — most commonly "Waheguru" — as a form of meditation. It can be done silently, aloud, or with a mala (prayer beads) to keep count.
What is Hukamnama?
A Hukamnama is a passage read at random from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, taken as guidance or an order (hukam) for that day. Sri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar publishes one every morning, and it's widely followed across the Sikh world.
What is Nitnem?
Nitnem is the set of Banis (hymns) most Sikhs recite daily as part of their personal practice — including Japji Sahib in the morning, and others through the day and evening. "Nit" means daily, and "nem" means routine or discipline.
Understanding Sikh terminology
Sikh vocabulary carries specific meaning that's easy to flatten in translation — for example, a Sevadar is specifically someone performing seva, not a generic "volunteer," and Gurbani refers specifically to the Guru's own compositions, not devotional music in general. Getting these terms right matters.
Gurdwara etiquette
Cover your head, remove your shoes before entering the main hall, and avoid alcohol, tobacco or meat on the premises. Sit on the floor facing Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and it's customary to bow and offer something (money, food for langar) as you approach. Everyone eats together at langar, sitting on the floor as equals.
Sikh daily practices
A typical day includes Nitnem (reciting the daily Banis), Simran (remembering Waheguru), and living by the principles of Naam Japna, Kirat Karni (honest work) and Vand Chakna (sharing with others) — practice woven into daily life, not confined to the Gurdwara alone.