Shri Guru Angad Dev Ji

Name: Shri Guru Angad Dev ji
Date of Birth: March 31, 1504 A.D.
Place of Birth: Matte di Sarae, Dist. Ferozepur (Punjab - India)
Father: Bhai Pheru Mall
Mother: Mata Daya Kaur
Mahal (Wife): Bibi Khivi
Sons: Baba Dasua, Baba Datu
Daughters: Bibi Amarso, Bibi Anokhi
Year of Gurgadi: 1539 A.D. at Kartarpur on the banks of river Ravi.
Bani: Total number of hymns 63, in Salokas.
Succession to Gurugaddi: Guru Angad Dev nominated Amar Das as the third Guru of the Sikhs
Date of Eternal Rest: March 29, 1552 A.D.
Place of Eternal Rest: Khadur Sahib in Panjab

Guru Angad Dev Ji's given name was Bhai Lehana Ji. He was born on 31st March 1504 in the serai of village Matta, district Firozpur to Pheru Mal Khatri and Mata Sabhrayi. His father belonged to a trading family and was a follower of Mata Vaishno Devi. Under his influence Bhai Lehana too became a follower of Vaishno Devi. Later they left the village and shifted residence to Khadoor Sahib. There he married Kheevi, the daughter of Devi Chand Khatri, commenced his marital life and started running a shop for living. They had four children, two sons Dasu and Datu and two daughters Amro and Anokhi. One day Bhai Lehana was returning after visiting Devi?s temple when he overheard Bhai Jodha reciting utterances of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He decided to meet Guru Nanak Ji. Later during a visit to Kartarpur he met Guru Nanak Ji and imbibed his utterances. From that moment he realised that this was where he belonged. He served Guru Ji for seven years continuously. Guru Nanak too was much impressed by his dedication yet continued to test him and his own sons Lakhmi Das and Sri Chand. Every time it was Bhai Lehana who passed the test and the sons who failed.

Before his death Guru Nanak transformed Bhai Lehana into Guru Angad Dev Ji and bequeathed the guru?s seat to him. Once Emperor Humayun came to Guru Ji to seek his blessings after his defeat at the hands of Sher Shah Suri. Like in the case of Guru Nanak Ji, whosoever came in contact with Guru Angad Dev went away as an exemplary human being. For example people like Malooka Jatt, Chaudhary Bakhtawar and many others. There was a sadhu called Shivnath in village Khadoor who promised the people rainfall through his supernatural powers. Since Guru Angad Dev Ji did not believe in this kind of mumbo-jumbo Shivnath asked the villagers to banish him. However there was still no rainfall.Read More.....

Panj Takht Sahib

Panj Takht Sahib

Sikh Religion: Sikhism is one of the youngest world religion. It is a strictly monotheistic faith, preaching the existence of only one God, and teaching universally acceptable ideals of honesty, compassion, humility, piety, social commitment, and above all tolerance for other religions. The word 'Sikh' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'shishya' which means a disciple, a learner, a seeker of truth. A Sikh believes in One God and the teachings of the Ten Gurus, embodied in the Eternal Shabad Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. The Basic beliefs must be followed in Sikhism. Additionally, a Sikh must also partake Amrit, the Sikh Baptism. Every sikh is supposed to follow the Sikh Code of Discipline. The Five Takhts (Panj Takht): 'Takht' which literally means a throne or seat of authority is a result of historical growth of Sikhism. There are five Takhts and these Takhts are the five gurudwaras which have a very special significance for the Sikh community. The first and the most important one was established by Guru Hargobind in 1609. It is called 'Akal Takht' (the Throne of the Timeless God) and is situated just opposite the gate of Harmandar Sahib - The Golden Temple, Amritsar. The Guru established it, because he thought that secular political matters should not be considered in the Golden Temple, which is meant purely for worship of God. Here the Guru held his court and decided matters of military strategy and political policy. Later on, the Sikh commonwealth (Sarbat Khalsa) took decisions here on matters of peace and war and settled disputes between the various Sikh groups. The Sarangi singers sung the ballads of the Sikh Gurus and warriors at this place and robes of honour (saropas) were awarded to persons who rendered distinguished services of the community of men in general. Five Takhts are :

Sri Akal Takht Sahib : Akal Takht Sahib literally means Eternal Throne. It is also part of the Golden Temple  complex in Amritsar. It's foundation was laid by Guru Hargobind Sahib . The Akal Takht is situated opposite to Harmandir Sahib and are connected by a passage. The building of the Akal Takht opposite the Golden Temple has a special meaning. While the Golden Temple stands for spiritual guidance the Akal Takht symbolizes the dispensing of justice and temporal activity. During the day the Guru Granth Sahib is kept in the Golden Temple, while at night it is kept in the Akal Takht Sahib. In earlier days all Sikh warriors sought blessings here before going to battle fields. During the 18th century while Sikhs were fighting a guerrilla war in the forests they used to gather at the Akal Takht on special occasions such as Baisakhi and Diwali. Here the community used to have general meetings and approve resolutions. The Akal Takht is the oldest of the Five Takhts. Read More...

Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Compiled by: Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji in 1604 A.D.
Contributors:
 Gurus:
* Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
* Shri Guru Amar Das Ji
* Shri Guru Arjan Dev Ji
* Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
* Shri Guru Angad Dev Ji
* Shri Guru Ram Das Ji
* Shri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

 Bhagatas:
* Jai Dev (b. 1170 A.D.)
* Shaikh Farid (1173-1266 A.D.)
* Trilochan (b. 1267 A.D.)
* Namdev (b. 1270 A.D.)
* Sadhana (b. 13th Century A.D.)
* Ramanand (b. 1359 A.D.)
* Kabir (1398-1494 A.D.)
* Dhana (b. 1415 A.D.)
* Pipa (b.1425 A.D.)
* Sain (b.15th Century A.D.)
* Ravi Das (b.15th Century A.D.)
* Bhikhan (d. 1574 A.D.).
* Sur Das (b. 1529 A.D.)
* Baini
* Parmanand

 Minstrels and Bards:
* Bhai Mardana (b. 15th-16th Century A.D.)
* Sundar (1560-1603 A.D.)
* Kal, Kalsahar, Tal, Jalap, Jal, Kirat, Sal, Bhalah, Nalah, Bhikkh, Jalan, Das, Gyand, Sewak, Mathura, Bal, Haribans, Satta & Rai Balvand.

Note: No information regarding life period and place of birth is available about the Bards from Kal to Balvand.

Total numbers of hymns: 5867
Total numbers of pages: 1430
Total numbers of Ragas: 31
First Prakash: October 16, 1604 A.D. at Harimandar Sahib, Amritsar.
First Granthi: Baba Buddha Ji (1506-1630 A.D.)
Final Shape: The final shape to Guru Granth Sahib was given by Guru Gobind Singh at Damadama Sahib in Panjab during 1705-1706 A.D.
Succession to Gurugaddi: On October 7, in the year 1708 A.D. before his departure from the world Guru Sahib instructed the Sikhs as to rever Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji as (their) Puran GuruRead More.....