Explore the spiritual importance of sarovars, sacred bodies of water at holy sites, symbolizing purity and renewal in various religious traditions.
Dive into the history of ascetic practices in India, a cornerstone of spiritual culture emphasizing training the body and mind for ultimate liberation.
Discover the legacy of Sant Gurbakhsh Singh, a scholarly and religious luminary renowned for his debating prowess and contributions to Sikhism.
Explore the life and poetry of Bhai Nand Lal, a beloved Sikh poet and disciple of Guru Gobind Singh. Discover his Persian and Punjabi works.
Discover the origins and legacy of the Sikh Students Federation, fostering Sikh principles and consciousness since 1944. Explore its impact on youth and culture.
Explore how Hinduism honors ancestors with rituals deemed sacred, contrasting with Sikhism's focus on prayer over offerings. Learn more here.
NIHAL SINGH DAMDAMIAN, 19th century Nirmala saint, a native of Mimsa village of the former princely state of Patiala, received initiation and religious education at the hands of Mahant Dunna Singh, of Uchcha Buriga, a Nirmala sanctuary at Damdama Sahib, Talvandi Sabo, in present day Bathinda district, and became head of the Buriga after the latter`s death. He was respected for his humility and unassuming nature and for the zeal with which he served in the Guru ka Larigar and the loving care with which he looked after the cattle in the shed. In 1860, he with a band of youthful devotees, went to Dera Baba Ram Rai in Dehra Dun and, felling one of the tallest trees in the pine forest of its extensive estate, brought it to Talvandi Sabo carrying it on their heads all the way to Patiala and thence on bullock carts arranged by Maharaja Narinder Singh of Patiala to Damdama Sahib where it was put up as the religious flagmast. Reaching Damdama Sahib, Nihal Singh humbly stood at the entrance where the sangat had deposited their shoes and would not enter the Takht Sahib until he had obtained pardon by paying penalty for having violated the Sikh code of conduct forbidding any dealings with the followers of Baba Ram Rai.
Discover how the Singh Sabha Movement revitalized Sikhism in the 19th century, preserving its unique identity amidst Western influences.
Learn about Baba Balak Singh (1785-1862), mentor to Baba Ram Singh and pioneer of the Namdhari movement, with teachings that shaped Sikh society.
