Discover sacred baolis, ancient stepwells vital for water access and spiritual history in Sikhism, like Guru Amar Das's baoli at Goindval.
CHAUNKI or Chauki, lit. quarter, a four footed wooden platform upon which sat the holy choir to recite the sacred hymns in a gurdwara or at a gathering of the devotees. The term chaunki also refers to a session of kirtan or hymn singing, the number of singers at such sessions commonly being four, nowadays usually three, playing different instruments. Kirtan is a popular form of worship among Sikhs. At all major gurdwaras at least four kirtan chaunkfs are held. At the central shrine, in Amritsar, the Harimandar, kirtan goes on all the time, from 2.45 a.m. to 9.45 p.m.
Uncover the story of the Panj Piare—Daya Singh, Dharam Singh, Himmat Singh, Muhkam Singh, Sahib Singh—and their role in forming the Khalsa in 1699.
Discover Raja Wazir Singh, a devout Sikh leader who reformed Faridkot's land revenue system, supported the British in 1857, and earned the title Brar Bans Raja.