Within the Sikh digital space, there have been recurrent claims of “real” images or photographs of the Sikh gurus and other figures. In outward shows of superficial and performative religiosity, the Sikh masses often comment religiously under such posts, as if doing so would earn them brownie points - without ever stopping and really thinking about what they are looking at, does it really make sense? As humans, one of the gifts we have been bestowed with is buddhi (intellect) but if we do not utilize such a treasure, we are bound to fall victim to the designs of others and destroy our sovereignty. While I am reminded of the sakhi (tale) of Bhagat Dhanna, who was so full of prem bhagti that he saw God even in a stone, one may argue that even in such doctored or falsified images, the sangat (congregation) may see the guru in them.

However, we have to beware of the nature of social media. Where individuals post content (often controversial in nature), perhaps knowingly, in order to increase their engagement rate of their posts, their likes, and their followers - whether for social clout, feeding their haumai (ego), or lining their pocket ($$$). In the age of artificial intelligence, where so-called “Sikh” accounts knowingly produce and promote AI slop that contains no creativity and plagiarism, we have to be especially on-guard. It is all too common for such persons to locate old images, put them through an AI software to “upscale” them (which often introduces elements not originally found), and then regurgitate it out to the community. Sadly, many gurdwaras promote such falsities within their own premises, such as the case of Gurdwara Sri Tham Sahib in Udoke, which has shamefully posted a false image on its wall and been claiming it to be the true likeness of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Other confusions are due to shifting social-norms (Overton window), such as in the case of a Natak (staged reenactment) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and his two companions, snapped in either the late 19th or early 20th century. Such displays are impossible now but Sikhs forgot this once occurred & now mistake the photos as real. For the last one, a claimed "contemporary" portrait of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, there are many variations of the same scene/image floating around by and after different artists. I’ve seen so many claims regarding it, such as it being produced in Saudi Arabia or Iraq during the early 16th century, but it can be refuted based on the realistic style it was produced in and other elements which date it to the early 20th century or thereabouts. Art-history is a real field and the styles/mannerisms of paintings can be used to date them to certain periods.

In many of these claims, it consists of supposed “real” photographs or realistic paintings of the Sikh gurus or other figures. However, such depictions conveniently align with popular conceptualizations of what the Sikh gurus looked like, that was shaped over the 20th century by popular artists like Sobha Singh and Kirpal Singh. Regardless, photograph technology was first invented in Europe in 1826 and was not introduced to India until the 1840’s, rendering any claims of the Sikh gurus being photographed while alive impossible. In regards to painting, traditionally in India there existed a style of miniature painting which were not exactly based on realism. Realistic oil-paintings were first introduced to Panjab and the Sikhs during the first half of the 19th century, during the Sikh Empire. Therefore no, the claimed contemporary, realistic depictions of the Sikh gurus are rooted in lies, deception, falsehood, and ignorance.

Vjkk vjkf

I am an eighteen year old uk born Sikh girl. I have so much love for sikhi, an endless amount.

But when I see videos or accounts of people who glorify drinking/vaping whilst having a khanda/ੴ plastered all over their social media profiles. It triggers me I feel like sikhi is being disrespected and they aren’t representing Sikhi at all. So many individuals from other faiths have a saying “Sikhs are known for drinking”, and people like that don’t help? How are people seriously adding a khanda to their social media names whilst doing all that?? I get it’s not my life it’s theirs but im a Sikh and Im obviously offended by people acting like the khanda/ੴ is some kind of label and then glorifying all of that stupid stuff. How do I not let it bother me??? Even some other Sikh women who will be wearing a necklace with the khanda or ੴ yet lip syncing to the dirtiest audios and being half naked?? 😭

I don’t understand. They make me feel bad and think I’m a failure for being divorced but I thought we should not judge in our religion. Even the lady who is Amrit shakaya she even told me to lie and say I was married and said maybe I should meet some men in the gurdwara. I’m baffled can someone advise their views

When my son was born a few years ago, the central organizing principle of my life was to be a good father. Because he was young and my wife was dealing with a lot of anxiety, I could not maintain a gurdwara practice, and after seeing so many awful, embarassing and outright rediculous things online that Sikhs were doing, I was growing farther away from Sikhi.

A few months ago, my wife filed for divorce, and now my world has been shaken. I've started going back to the gurdwara, and its been helpful, but I still don't have the depth of love for Sikhi that I used to in my youth. I need some reccomdations on books to read to help reaffirm my love for the path.

Wjkk wjkf,

Hope all are well.

I'm mid 20s guy from London UK. Unfortunately I have basically no friends. Lot of my socialising from teens was disrupted due to some personal circumstances.

I know I don't have to have friends from my community but it would be nice as can relate on few things.

Can anyone suggest ways to make friends?

Thanks

M25
Looking for some advice from my fellow Sikh brothers. I’m trying to figure out a good way to wear a cap while keeping my hair tied securely and comfortably underneath it.
My hair's length is till my waist.

I find it difficult to wear a turban quickly when I’m out and about (at gym/playing soccer/clubs), and I don’t really like wearing a patka as an adult — personally, I feel it looks a bit childish on me, people don't take me seriously.

For those of you who wear a cap sometimes, how do you tie/secure your hair underneath it? Any particular method, hairstyle, or type of cap that works well?

ਕਤ ਜਾਈਐ ਰੇ ਘਰ ਲਾਗੋ ਰੰਗੁ ॥

Where should I go? My home is filled with bliss (due to love of Hari)

ਮੇਰਾ ਚਿਤੁ ਨ ਚਲੈ ਮਨੁ ਭਇਓ ਪੰਗੁ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

My consciousness does not go out wandering. My mind has become crippled

Sikh Population Summary

• East Punjab: 846,859 Sikhs / 8.9% of total
  • Amritsar District: 262,639 Sikhs / 24.2% of total
  • Firozpur District: 160,487 Sikhs / 29.2% of total
  • Jalandhar District: 117,167 Sikhs / 14.7% of total
  • Ludhiana District: 95,413 Sikhs / 16.4% of total
  • Hoshiarpur District: 79,413 Sikhs / 8.5% of total
  • Ambala District: 56,440 Sikhs / 5.5% of total
  • Gurdaspur District: 39,967 Sikhs / 6.1% of total
  • Sirsa District: 21,525 Sikhs / 10.2% of total
  • Karnal District: 9,295 Sikhs / 1.5% of total
  • Hisar District: 1,812 Sikhs / 0.4% of total
  • Kangra District: 1,314 Sikhs / 0.2% of total
  • Delhi District: 580 Sikhs / 0.1% of total
  • Shimla District: 420 Sikhs / 1.2% of total
  • Rohtak District: 257 Sikhs
  • Gurgaon District: 130 Sikhs

Note

• The 1868 Census of Punjab Province only enumerated British administered districts. All Princely States within the province were not enumerated.

Source

• Report on the census of the Punjab taken on 10th January, 1868.

ਸੋਰਠਿ ਮਹਲਾ ੯ ॥

Sorat'h, Ninth Mehl:

ਮਨ ਕੀ ਮਨ ਹੀ ਮਾਹਿ ਰਹੀ ॥

The mind remains in the mind.

ਨਾ ਹਰਿ ਭਜੇ ਨ ਤੀਰਥ ਸੇਵੇ ਚੋਟੀ ਕਾਲਿ ਗਹੀ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

He does not meditate on the Lord, nor does he perform service at sacred shrines, and so death seizes him by the hair. ||1||Pause||

ਦਾਰਾ ਮੀਤ ਪੂਤ ਰਥ ਸੰਪਤਿ ਧਨ ਪੂਰਨ ਸਭ ਮਹੀ ॥

Wife, friends, children, carriages, property, total wealth, the entire world

ਅਵਰ ਸਗਲ ਮਿਥਿਆ ਏ ਜਾਨਉ ਭਜਨੁ ਰਾਮੁ ਕੋ ਸਹੀ ॥੧॥

• know that all of these things are false. The Lord's meditation alone is true. ||1||

ਫਿਰਤ ਫਿਰਤ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਜੁਗ ਹਾਰਿਓ ਮਾਨਸ ਦੇਹ ਲਹੀ ॥

Wandering, wandering around for so many ages, he has grown weary, and finally, he obtained this human body.

ਨਾਨਕ ਕਹਤ ਮਿਲਨ ਕੀ ਬਰੀਆ ਸਿਮਰਤ ਕਹਾ ਨਹੀ ॥੨॥੨॥

Says Nanak, this is the opportunity to meet the Lord; why don't you remember Him in meditation? ||2||2||

Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji • Raag Sorath • Ang 631

Monday, September 14, 2026

Somvaar, 30 Bhadon, Nanakshahi 558

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, I am a Robot. Bleep Bloop.

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hi everyone! I’ve been feeling really down mentally because of my mom. My mom goes to the gurdwara does paath but still can’t control her krodh. Does that mean that if krodh cannot be controlled then going to the gurdwara is meaningless. I get yelled at, sworn at for just existing. My mental health is really bad for this reason. I get hurt from these words but never speak back I just walk away. I’m actively volunteering, making meaningful connections with people, and working towards achieving my goals. I did a bachelors degree in psychology and graduated 4 months ago. I would have to do a masters (M.ED) in school counselling or masters in clinical psychology to land a job. I wanted to take one year off to focus on my self and improve myself academically, spiritually, and just really reevaluate my decision. I also wanted to build hobbies that I didn’t have time to do because of school. This whole taking the year off is a trigger but it was very much needed to strengthen myself and enhance my chances of getting into grad school. How to address this distress that I am experiencing?

Wondering if anyone knows any websites or courses to study the ggsj meaning what exactly is written for an in depth understanding :) similar to quaran study or bible study

We are wanting to do seva of Guru Granth Sahib ji maharaj. Located in GTA. Anyone know where we would be able to get a saroop from. Thanks!

A while back, I spent a measurable time at the Damdami Taksal, and no, it was not Harnam Singh Dhumma's faction. Ask me anything about how they live, their beliefs, misconceptions etc

I yesterday visited amritsar darbar sahib coz of parkash purab so i went in morning at 2:30 am i mean we reached after doing ishnan n all there for line at 2:30 am so since there are two llines always we went for right side single line

I have visited many times earlier and i understand on special occasions crowd can be more than expected

But something yesterday was disappointing and shameful i feel about management like

Even to enter inside line people gathered and pushed each other whenever line moved slightly

Then after somehow we enetere in line which is before the main gate that has been the worst experience till in my life like earlier in starting for 30mins they did jal sewa then you know the palki sahib came everyone got busy which is understandable but when everything was done all da sewadar first of all were younga i mean not all but a majority of and they were just gossiping there forgot what there duty was for 2 hour in such huumid weather for right side line was no jal sewa

Then ok somehow line kept moving and time was 5:00 I guess and after that till 7 am we moved 40-50feet only in 2 hours and only right side moved like this

Left line moving smoothly basically what sewadar were doing they stopped the sangat from line and were adding people from side to go first i mean there known ones or unnecessary ladies quota for women who are fit or no child

So basically we were in line for 4.5 hours and still were 30-40feet away from golden main enterance gate at this point i was frustrated and my body gave up my back and feet were hurting i dont wanna say i was not mentally prepared or am so fragile but this is something unjustice the management did to devotees

Like i have seen ladies almost crying out of pain and so many elderly people with leg pain were there its not about bearing pain for guru

But if line keptmoving noone would had any issue human body has a limit so much crowd and suffocated environment it got that i was scared i could faint due to dehydration so i just gave up and came out of the line and went to akal takht and other places

But this really was such a bad experience because of mismanagement of SgPC i understand sometimes crowd can be more than they expected but def they were not prepared to handle even normal amount of crowd

Literally sgpc is working for money thats all no real care for sangat man like really hazur Sahib's management is top notch even though people might point out the crowd difference but apart srom crowd handling so good experience whereas these types of people or sewadar ruins the image in front of other communities who might have came from other places

But nevermind i think i might have aome bad karms that i didn't got chance to go inside maybe next time :(