Namdhari

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Namdhari Guru Jagjit Singh Ji Maharaj
Namdhari Guru Jagjit Singh Ji Maharaj

Namdharis are a sect of the Sikh religion. However, some Sikhs do not consider them to be Sikhs.

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[edit] Appearance

Namdharis are easily recognized by their practice of wearing white homespun clothing and by their method of tying the turban horizontally across the forehead. Around their necks they wear a white woolen cord (mala), woven as a series of 108 knots and serving as a rosary.

[edit] Gurus

The Sikh belief that the line of personal Gurus ended with the death of Sri Satguru Gobind Singh Ji in 1708 is denied by the Namdharis. Namdharis insist that the Sri Satguru Gobind Singh Ji lived for 146 years (1666-1812), eventually bestowing the succession on Sri Satgur Guru Balak Singh Ji of Hazro in 1812. Thus, he became the 11th Guru for the Namdharis.

His successor, the 12th Guru, Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji (1816-), is revered in the Namdhari religion as arguably the most important Guru. His status in the Namdhari religion is similar to that of Sri Satguru Nanak Dev Ji's. Although he was exiled in 1872 and was never heard from again, legend has it that he is still alive and one day will return to lead the Namdharis.

The 13th Guru was Sri Satguru Hari Singh Ji (1819-1906) who passed on the Guruship to Sri Satguru Partap Singh Ji (1890-1959).

At present, Jagjit Singh is the Guru of the Namdharis. He was born in 1920 and attained Guruship in 1959 when his father, the 14th Guru, died. currently suffering from health problems.

[edit] Beliefs

The Namdharis are strict vegetarians and vigorous protectors of the cow. They attach equal importance to Sri Adi Granth Sahib and Sri Dasam Granth Sahib, and they include the Sri Dasam Granth Sahib composition Chandi di Var in their daily Nitnem (daily prayers taken from Sikh scripture).

Their loyalty to Khalsa traditions as they understand them is, however, altogether too obvious to be ignored, yet most Sikhs would be prepared to place them outside the circle of Sikhs. Furthermore, the similarities between Namdharis and Sikhs extend to the Five Ks, which one can use to identify a Sikh.

Namdharis follow the path of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, which is the bedrock of Sikh philosophy i.e. Nam Simran (meditating on God's name), Kirat Karo (Earn thy living), Vand Chako (Share thy wealth). The fundamental core of Namdharis' religious life is Nam Simran and the word Namdhari literally translated means a "one who beholds God’s Name".

The Namdharis lead a very simple, humble and unpretentious life. They don't practice dowry's in any form. Their marriage ceremonies are unostentatious and shorn of all pompousness, in which neither the bride nor the groom wear any jewelery, and no alcohol is served afterwards.

[edit] Restrictions

Aside from being vegetarians, the Namdharis are not allowed to drink tap water. Water must be drawn from the lake or captured from rain. The Namdharis usually marry within their own sect (similar to many other religions), but since it is a religion, one may marry someone from another 'religion' as well. However, conservative Namdharis are opposed to this idea. Some conservative Namdharis don't wear anything else except a white oval shaped turban (for men) and white kurtas (trousers), this is meant for both genders.

[edit] Other Information

There are currently Namdhari Temples in many areas of the world, especially countries in South East Asia such as Thailand. However, one may also find Namdharis residing in the rest in the world including Canada, US and the United Kingdom.

[edit] Symbols

The Namdhari flag is white, which symbolizes their Tenets: Truth, Purity, Simplicity, Peace and Unity. It was hoisted by the 12th Namdhari Guru - Sri Satguru Ram Singh Ji Maharaj on the eve of the Baisakhi Festival - 1st Baisakh Samat 1914 (April 12, 1857).

[edit] External links