Jyots in Gurdwaras?

Gurfateh everyone,

So I was at Malton Gurudwara yesterday and after the simran programme ended I noticed a diva type thing in the corner of the Gurdwara and I saw one individual even put his hands above the flame and then swipe it over his head. I was just wondering what does keeping a flame jyot type thing (sorry I don't know what it's called) has to do with Sikhi?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/37979-jyots-in-gurdwaras.html
If I am not mistaken, I thought this was a Hindu practice but I am not sure. Especially when my parents told me that all the gurdawara have them and they couldn't make the connection to SIkhi either. So if anyone has any semblance of an explanation, that would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Sukrit Kaur **

 
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I think the best thing I could connect was that lamps were used in pre-electricity time to read Guru Granth Sahib at night. The lamps somehow stayed on and people started doing the roll your hand over and touch your head or something. Some Gurudwaras use desi ghee to make it smell nice, but it is unnecessary. There is no connection to Sikhi and that is the sad state of our lives that we are doing things like mindless numb people without asking what is it for?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37979

Why do people touch the first step of the Gurdawara or the floor of the Gurdawara before entering and then touch their heads?

The DIVA has had vital significance in HINDUISM. Its Vital as "aartee" of devtas is performed daily in all mandirs....and divas are lighted at Hindu Festivals and the DIWALI festival is named after DIVA..Festival of LIGHTS..and divas are lighted at DEATH..to guide the soul in darkness..and a DIVA is lighted on the Banera (top story of house) or in the Window to GUIDE the Lover/husband/ homewards....

GURU NANAK JI Sahib brought a Brand New GYAAN..a Brand New Philosophy..as Bhai Gurdass Ji explains.."SATGUR NANAK PARGITAYAH..mitee DHUNDH..JAGG Channan Hoyah !! This panktee is not so much referring to Guru Nanaks Jis "Physical birth" ( as most Sikhs and esp ragis have taken it to mean..) BUT to the GYAAN SOORAJ Sun of KNOWLEDGE of the BRAHM the CREATOR that Guru nanak ji gave us....The "Physical Nanak" has been long gone..BUT His GYAAN shines as brightly as ever..in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji to GUIDE the World through LIFE.

SIKHS as usual..wearing their "BHAGWA" orange coloured glasses...just couldnt let go of the TINY CLAY Divas and shudh ghee FAKE JYOT propaganda of the Wily BRAHMIN/PANDIT who doesn't do any physical work himself but loves to BURN the Hard earned WEALTH of the Jatt Farmers as in HAVANS..which require shudh GHEE, badams, kesjus, best attas, sugar gurr whatever...ALL PROVIDED by the Hardworking LABOUR of the working class !!..and BURNED by the Pandit.

SIKHS thus continue to light such "TINY FAKE WORLDLY JYOTS" in the August presence of the BIGGEST SHINING SUN of KNOWLEDGE..the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji..the Rabbi JYOT..ILAHI JYOT of the CREATOR. Sikhs blinded by their orange contact lenses continue to light small clay divas in silver platters and wave these in front of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji attempting to "Light" the SUN.....when Guru Nanak ji has already said in PLAIN LANGUAGE..Gagan mehn Thaal...RAV CHAND SOORAJ STARS..all SHINE for the CREATOR...in FULL GLORY..BY the Creator..FOR the Creator..OF the Creator !!!

This shudh ghee jyot thingy has made a big come back in Gurdwaras thanks due to the influx of the DERAWADEE SANT BABAISM....and Gross negligence of the SGPC and Akal Takhat etc which have fallen under these fake Hinduised Keshadharee Hindus in Sikh garb who control Gurdwaras...where instead of GURBANI VICHAAR..more credence is given to how shudh the ghee is..how to keep the jyot from being blown out by the WIND !!!!..when we have the ILAHI JYOT of GURBANI that even a HURRICANE cannot blow OUT !!! we rush to handle STONES and discard DIAMONDS....( pearls before swine have no value).

Are'nt we that stupid to believe that a CLAY DIVA that goes out in a wink can "guide" the SOUL in the after world ?? a Diva that goes out the moment the oil is depleted ?? the diva that extinguishes with a single wave of the ganges is supposed to GUIDE the SOUL ??? ONLY GURBANI..the Ilahi JYOT can do all that and MORE !!! GURBANI LIGHTS our darkened SOULS HERE and NOW !!!

2. Shardhaloos touch the first step of the Gurdawra, drink the water used to wash the feet at the Gurdwara entrance..wipe the dust from Shoe soles..etc etc.in an attempt to be "humble"....before the GURU !! I say "attempt" because Genuine HUMILITY is INSIDE...of the MIND...the MANN...and THAT inside humility cannot be gained with dust or washing waters...it has to be actively CULTIVATED by FOLLOWING the Gurus teachings in Daily LIFE...adopt GURBANI daily..in our actions..Speak the TRUTH...be NIRVAIR..be NIRBHAU....DAILY in all dealings....

The "SANGAT" is always INSIDE the Gurdwara..AFTER the GURBANI has been listened to..Vicharred...decided to FOLLOW it..BEFORE all these happen..the persons are just ordinary HUMANS..not Sangat at all....and in case you haven't noticed..NO ONE WASHES his/her feet AFTER Coming OUT of the GURDWARA....therefore NO SANGAT ever leaves any DUST around...the only dust available is of HUMANS who are coming to Gurdwara...mainly to eat Langar and GOSSIP..while away time..admire or UNADMIRE others etc etc...very very FEW may COME OUT as "Genuine SANGAT"....and those take away their dust with them...!!! No offense taken and or meant..my own views..hard hitting..maybe..???..............

Perhaps the guy's hands were cold and he was warming them and then also, he warmed up the top of his chilly head?

I think if it was for any other reason, it was probably one of those mindless rituals that are useless and condemned by our beloved Gurus. Rather like throwing water in the direction of Punjab to water one's crops. (I wish that worked, though. These days Punjab really needs the water.)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37979

As for the other, it reminds me of a Christian man I once knew who used to hit himself over the head with a Bible as part of his prayer. When I suggested that maybe actually reading it might be more helpful. I was told (rightfully, btw), "You pray your way and I'll pray mine." It's hard to say what motivates such people. I once kissed the ground after a grueling airplane flight through an electrical storm. It might be a useless ritual or it might be that the individual is truly grateful to be able to enter the gurudwara. Unlike the lamp thing, which really does look like creeping Hinduism, this seems harmless to me.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37979



They are playing my favorite shabad.

Only the truth stands the test of time, and only those that know it in their hearts, and have the need for only the connection with the Creator, will be the ones to ignore all the ritual Vedic practices that keep creeping in.

However, I think it is wrong to judge, Creator invites all those with a genuine need for the truth to liberate themselves, the rest of us, in bed with thieves or ritual just have to keep applying and studying.

Sukrit Kaur Bhain thanks for your post. Let me give you my understanding on a practical basis. In villages and smaller towns in Punjab there were generally Gurdwaras that one will go to. I remember on Massia raat (fully dark night with no moon and no electricity generally around), some light sources were even in a glimmer were useful to give one comfort to know bearings. It also identified place for the lost or strangers to approach. So in my younger days it had practical meaning like a street or house light that stays on at night. Usually these Jyot/Oil burning lights were set alight at dusk. These could also be taken around as working lights then in Gurdwara premises as well as to light other lights.

In terms of putting hands over the light I don't know much. I do know that the light from Ghee/Clarified Butter usually has an element of soot which is increased if you wave or move your hand over the flame. Now the carbon that you will pick up in moving your hand and the warmth being useful, that I do not know. Perhaps one day some one will discover the odour reducing properties of Carbon .

In terms of its use in modern Gurdwaras with A/C, air cleaners, emergency lighting, electricity etc., to me it appears of much less utility.

I hope above is of some help.

Sat Sri Akal

OneD10s ji perhaps it helped either catch disease or build immunity if one did not get sick so doing. Could it be considered indirect way of building communal immunity as I know I took sips of water at Darbar Sahib srovar when we used to visit as a child and even took a sip or sprinkled some water from where people washed their feet.

May be there is something to that, but I am not sure. Just some thoughts.

Sat Sri Akal.

INDIA has a social aspect of what we call "JHOOTH"....no one other society ahs this inhibition....is it due to CASTE ??? The Arabs afghans pathans etc all eat from the same plate....the Chinese do the same...and the SIKHS are made to eat from the same plate and drink form the same batta during Amrit sanskaar ceremony...thus killing the "Jhooth" inhibition ??? From the on an Amrtidharee is not supposed to eat from a non-amritdharees palte..is that jhooth or is it religious inhibition..??? Is JHOOTH for helath reasons..immunity building or caste purity..??/ i wonder... and then we have all drinking water form sarovars and feet baths at Gurdwara entrances...people picking up dropped karrah parshaad off floors and eating that..etc etc..??/ Ambarsariah ji ahs covered the immunity/health section very well..a new perpesctive perhaps..???