Glossary of terms

Asa Di Vaar - a ballad of hope. This composition is sung every morning.

Akhand Paath - the continuous and uninterrupted recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib. It is completed over 48 hours, by many people, day and night.

Ardaas – a prayer to God requesting blessings.

Darbar – prayer hall.

Gurdwara – Sikh temple; the Guru’s door.

Gursikh – a term to describe a devoted Sikh.

Guru Granth Sahib – Sikhism’s holy scriptures

Kirtan - also Gurbani Kirtan or Shabad Kirtan - Sikh devotional music

Kirtan Sohaila - a prayer recited at night time before going to sleep.

Langar / Langar Hall – the Guru’s free community kitchen.

Paath - prayer

Parkash - the ceremony for bringing the Guru Granth Sahib from the Sachkhand to the Darbar at dawn.

Parsaad - a blessed sweet made from flour, butter, and sugar.

Puranmashi – Day of the full moon.

Rehraas Sahib - evening prayer.

Sachkhand - the room in which the Guru Granth Sahib is placed to rest every evening.

Sahej Paath – a complete reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, with breaks between readings.

Sangat – congregation; community.

Sevadar – a volunteer member of the congregation.

Sikhism – an Indian religion that originated in the Punjab region of India, and is the youngest major organized faith and is the 5^th largest worldwide.

Sukhassan - the ceremony for bringing the Guru Granth Sahib from the Darbar to the Sachkhand in the evening.

Sukhmani Sahib Paath – a prayer that brings peace and comfort to the mind and body.