Sikhs form about 2 per cent of Indian population. In comparison to other religions, Sikhism is a younger religion. The word 'Sikh' means a disciple and thus Sikhism is essentially the path of discipleship. The true Sikh remains unattached to worldly things. The Sikh must do his duty to his family and to the community. Sikhism was established by Guru Nanak. It preaches the existence of only one God and teaches universally acceptable ideals of honesty, compassion, humbleness, piousness, social commitment and tolerance for other religions.

Guru Nanak Dev included the good beliefs of other religions in Sikhism. Some the inhuman Indian customs like the caste system and Sati (burning of the widow) was discarded in Sikhism. In Sikhism everyone has equal rights irrespective of caste, creed, color, race, sex or religion. Sikhism rejects unnecessary rituals. A Sikh believes in one God and in the teachings of the Gurus, which are embodied in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Gurdwara is Sikh's place of worship. As Sikhism believes that God is everywhere it does not support pilgrimage to holy places. The Hari Mandir (the Golden temple) at Amritsar is considered the holiest shrine of Sikhism. One of the distinct features of Sikhism is the common kitchen called Langar. In every Gurdwara there is a Langar. Every Sikh is expected to contribute in preparing the meals in the free kitchen.

Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh religion, was its first Guru. After him there were nine more Gurus who were the highest religious authority of the Sikhs. The last Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, declared that after him the Guru of the Sikhs would be the holy book of Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Granth Sahib is written in Gurumukhi script. The Guru Granth Sahib includes the writings of the Sikh Gurus and the writings of Hindu and Muslim saints and mystics. The writings of Guru Govind Singh appear in a separate book called "Dasam Granth".

History
The Sikh religion was founded by Guru Nanak, who was born in 1469 CE in the village of Talwandi, now called 'Nankana Sahib' near Lahore (Pakistan). Right from his childhood his keen mind would not accept all the groundless rituals, superstitions and dogmas which passed for religion in those days.

Guru Nanak and the nine Gurus, who succeeded him, set a wonderful example of living spiritually, while yet taking an active part in the world. The tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 CE) evolved the Sikh initiation ceremony in 1699 CE; and thus gave a distinctive identity to the Sikhs. The first Five Initiated Sikhs were named Panj Piaré (Five Beloved Ones), who in turn initiated the Guru on his request - an event hitherto unknown in the history of mankind.

Shortly before passing away the Guru ordained that Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Scripture, would be the ultimate spiritual authority for the Sikhs and the temporal authority would vest in the Khalsa Panth - the Sikh Commonwealth. Guru Granth Sahib was compiled and edited by the fifth Nanak, Guru Arjan in 1604 CE. This is the only scripture in the world, which has been compiled by the founders of a faith during their own lifetime.

Gurudwara - The Sikh Place of Worship
Gurdwara (the door or abode of the Guru) is the name given to the Sikh place of worship, commonly addressed as Sikh temple in the western world. "Temple" is a misnomer in context of a Gurdwara and the Sikhs object to the use of this word for their place of worship. To understand the objection of the Sikhs to the word "temple", imagine how a Christian would react if St Peter's Basillica is called "a Catholic Synagogue" or a "Christian Mosque". In the Gurdwara, the Sikh scripture is recited and sung and its exegesis done. Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a high palanquin under a canopy in the middle of one end of the hall. The Gurdwara is a place where the "Word of the Guru" reigns supreme, not only in its recitation but also in practice. It won't be an overstatement to say that a Sikh's life revolves around the Gurdwara, which is why wherever there are even ten Sikh families, they establish a Gurdwara. All the ceremonies relating to birth, initiation, marriage, death and celebration of festivals centers around the Gurdwara.