Sikh History

Question 28: What are the ceremonies observed by the Sikhs?

The Sikhs have very few ceremonies in the strictest sense of the word. Baptism and marriage are the main ceremonies. Baptism is administered by five Sikhs in the presence of the Holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Scriptures). They take some water in a bowl and say the five Sikh prayers and side by side stir the water with a double-edged sword called "Khanda." Marriage has already been described in question no.25. The Sikhs usually call their ceremonies as Smagam (functions). Akhand Path (continuous reading of the Sikh Scriptures). Child Birth and Death are other such functions. At each function the hymns are read and the sacred food (Karah Parshad) is distributed at the end.