Have you ever been to India? Come and check our five spectacular Sikhism facts for kids.

Sikhism Facts for Kids Fact Number 1: People Who Follow Sikhism Are Known as Sikhs

Sikhism began over 500 years ago in an area called the Punjab in India. It was founded by a man called Guru Nanak back in 1469. There are over 25 million Sikhs all over the world, but the majority still live in India.

Sikhs take their name from the word “sikha”, which means “disciples”. A disciple is someone who follows a leader.  Sikhism is the world’s fifth most-popular religion.

Sikhs believe in one God who guides and protects them and that everyone is an equal. Leading a good life, making the right choices and doing good things are an important aspect of the Sikh faith.

Sikhism Facts for Kids Fact Number 2: Sikhs Worship in Temples

Sikh temples are called gurdwaras, which translates as “gate to the Guru.” Gurdwara is pronounced as “gur-dwaah-ruh”. Gurdwaras can be found all over the world and they are  all in different shapes and sizes.

On every gurdwara you will find at least one Sikh flag flying. The Sikh flag is an orange or yellow triangular flag with the Sikh symbol, called the khanda in the centre. Sikhs must cover their heads and remove their shoes when entering a gurdwara.

Sikhism Facts for Kids Fact Number 3: The Sacred Text and spiritual founders are known as Gurus

The spiritual founders of Sikhism are known as the 10 human gurus. Each Guru contributed different values and teachings to Sikhism. The Guru Granth Sahib is the sacred text of Sikhism. It is known as the 11th, and final, Guru of the Sikh religion. Sikhs keep the text on a raised platform that has a canopy over it.

The sacred text is always treated with great respect and it typically sits on cushions, covered with beautiful cloths. During services, Sikh leaders wave a fan over it. The fan is called a chaur and it is usually made of yak hair. A yak is a type of ox.

Sikhism Facts for Kids Fact Number 4: Sikhs Serve Food After a Service

After the religious service in the gurdwara, a special meal known as langar is served to everyone. Everyone sits on the floor and eats their meal together to show that all people are equal.

Nobody is given a better seat or a better meal, everything is the same. The meal includes vegetables, rice, salad and kheer, which is a type of rice pudding.

Sikhism Facts for Kids Fact Number 5: Some Sikhs Do not Cut Their Hair

To show their devotion to Sikhism, many Sikhs follow five rules known as the five K’s. Some sikhs do not cut their hair and instead wear it up in a turban, a type of hair wrap. Uncut hair, is known as “kesh” The other things that devoted Sikhs wear at all times are a wooden comb, known as “kangha”, an iron bracelet, called a “kara”, an iron dagger, known as “kirpan”, and special undergarments, which are called “kachera”. They’re called the five K’s because, in Punjabi, each word begins with the letter “k”.

We hope you enjoyed learning more things about Sikhism as much as we loved teaching you about them. Now that you know how majestic the Hinduism religion is, you can move on to learn about ancient people, mythology and religions like: Ancient Greek Religion, Anglo-Saxons, Roman Life, The Inuit, The Anglo Saxons, Vikings, Viking Warriors, Celts, Egyptians, Mystical Creatures, Minotaur, Ogres, Midas, Mermaids, 12 Olympians, Celtic Mythology, Zodiac Myths, Cats in Egyptian Mythology, Snakes in Egyptian Mythology, Greek Mythology Books, Greek Mythology Stories, Hideous Creatures, Hecate, Medusa, Athena, Egyptian Gods, Greek Gods, God of Fire in Egypt and Legendary Norse Mythology.

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