S E C U L A R . I N D I A . IV Photo

Photographer’s Note

As India enters its 60th year of Independence, I continue with my mini-series on the Secular structure of India.

Sikhism in India
Sikhism is comparatively a new religion in India, established by Guru Nanak who was born into a Hindu family in 1469 in the Punjab region. At the age of forty-five he became a religious teacher. At the heart of his message was a philosophy of universal love, devotion to God and the equality of all men and women before God. In those days people who taught and preached were titled Guru meaning teacher, his followers became to be known as Sikhs meaning learners. The creators of Sikhism tried to abolish some of the Indian customs such as the caste system and Sati - burning of the widow. Sikhism does not have a clergy class as it considers this as a gateway to corruption. A Sikh place of worship is called Gurudwara. Sikhism emphasises community services and helping the needy. One of the distinct features of Sikhism is the common kitchen called Langar. Guru Nanak who established Sikhism was its first Guru. After him there were nine more Gurus who were the highest religious authority. The last Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, proclaimed that after him the Guru of the Sikhs would be the holy book of Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh is also the Guru behind the unique appearance of Sikh men and turning them into community of fighters. He changed his surname to Singh, which means lion. His followers also changed their surname to Singh. Since then a ceremony of baptizing was established among the Sikhs in which the boys were given the title Singh and the girls were titled Kaur meaning princess. In order to make it easier for his followers to recognize each other, Gobind Singh, chose five marks, some of which even today symbolize the Sikhs. The five signs were, uncut hair; comb; sword or dagger; bracelet on the right wrist and shorts. The religious Sikhs dress according to Guru Gobind Singh's order, carrying a sword. Most Sikhs even today have uncut hair and gather it in a turban. Despite their comparatively small population (there are about 20 million Sikhs constituting 1.9% of total Indian population) Sikhs are highly represented in various sectors of Indian life. They compose a significant segment of Indian Army, are excellent sportsmen, good entrepreneurs and skilled politicians. India’s Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh is a devout Sikh.

Pictured here is one of the most revered of all Sikh Shrines, Hemkund Sahib, the World's highest Gurudwara, situated at an altitude of 4,329 mts above sea level, on the bank of a glacial lake Hemkund in the heart of the Himalayas. The imposing star shaped structure of stone and masonry today stands where Guru Gobind Singh is believed to have once meditated. The shrine is encircled by seven snow clad peaks and their associated glaciers. Streams from Hati Parvat and Sapt Rishi Peaks feed the lake and a small stream called Himganga flows out of this lake.

I was fortunate enough to trek all the way to this holy place alongwith fellow Sikh pilgrims chanting 'Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal'. The weather god was unkind and due to incessant rain and heavy cloud cover I cannot show you the fantastic view this place offers. One can catch a glimpse of the lake on the right while the Sikh pilgrims on the left give a scale of proportion. This is one of my older photographs scanned and reproduced here and I apologise for the quality. But this is an important cog in my mini series and the only one I had depicting Sikhism. In the WS I show you two images from the rigorous trek.

Budapestman, kvananthnaag, Dragonheart, ndb1958, goodwill, syd1946, anjan, sunilshukla, francbois, siolaw, Lynette, ALIRIZA, prezntime, ramesh_lalwani, captainsgirl, cunejo200, zeca, john_c, sarahnatalie, jhm, rajhema, eza1701, lucasgalodoido, singuanti has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Dave2006 (321) 2006-08-19 9:04

You have many beautiful pictures of India. This one is no exception. It's very moody. Your notes are also very informative and give the picture context. I don't see a problem with the quality - it tells a story well as it is.

siolaw (25874) 2006-08-19 9:05

Hi Sabyasachi,
A good POV on Hemkund lake Gurdwara, with good saturated colors, and a cloudy monsoon sky
Laurent

sunilshukla (844) 2006-08-19 9:18

Hey Sabya, I can see this is a older photo and not from ur usual digital camera. But no probs with the quality. But what I really like once again is how use the photo alngwit the note to tell a story. This seris of urs I believe is one of the best documentaries on Secular India.
Sunil

francbois (480) 2006-08-19 9:19

Hi Sabyasachi,

A further step on the way to union... How could one coming across your path of roses not turn and follow it behind? Never a heavy weather did look so soft and fragrant to me like it does on your awesome threesome.
Apropos sikhism, could you be so nice as to add the briefest comment about the origins of that religion before its introduction by Guru Nanak, who, if I understood, didn't experience any divine enlightenment but rather was initiated by teachers.
Thanks anyway for your commitment here,
And the way your photos go hand in hand.
Go on, cheers, F

anjan (1086) 2006-08-19 9:36

What can I say to your commitment Sabyasachi? This series has been mindblowing, each picture eagerly awaited. And you have never disappointed. This really appaers to be a giant structure, I wonder how they built it at such high altitude whre you have to trek such dangerous path. All your three photos are wonderful. Infact I liked the river one btter but since You had to stick to your theme you had to go for the Gurdwara. Bravo!
Anjan

jinju (14265) 2006-08-19 9:37

Hey Sabya,

again the wonderful processing. Almost sepialike but color ofcourse is present. The effect is a beautifully aged photo, and like the topic you touch upon in the note, a mysterious looking shot too.

syd1946 (17995) 2006-08-19 9:40

Hi Sabyasachi,
Beautiful picture indeed.Very traditional feeling with great daily life atmosphere.The backround is great gives a power to your image.
Excellent work!
Best wishes,
Thomas

recepyuksel (17786) 2006-08-19 10:11

Well seen. Nice compo. I like especially shapes of roof. BW

goodwill (4033) 2006-08-19 12:01

Hi Sabya,
This place is similar to Vrindaban in terms of devotion and sacredness, after the Golden Temple Amritsar.
You have rightly mentioned that Guru Gobind Singh ji meditated here and it is also learnt that Lord Shiva blessed the Great Guru at this place.
I shall confirm this from Sikh friends and let you know.
Why Punjab escaped from the jaws of terrorism, is the fact that there are marriages between the Hindus and the Sikhs. So the nail could no't be plucked from the flesh.
They are the lion Hearted men from India and no one can dare eye not only Punjab , but whole of the India.
I though a brahmin have Sikh relatives and its a matter of pride.
Well done Sabya.
When you are providing such hight class notes of Integrity and love among the brethren, then this scanned shot of you also shines like a star.
With Greetings from whole of the India,
Rajeev

[2]

ndb1958 (9249) 2006-08-19 12:02

Hi Sabyasachi,
first of all a great note. I have to confess that I knew very less of Sikhism.
I like your older image with that interesting roof.
Beautiful tones and nice mist.
Great atmosphere,
Nino

Dragonheart (8393) 2006-08-19 12:50

Hi Sabyasachi,
Kemon Achhen dada? :-)
This is an excellent capture, I love your series on secular India. I came to know lot about Sikh Gurus from my Guru, and I have lot of respect for my Sikh brothers and sisters.
Thanks for this shot
BOLE SONIHAL
SAT SRI AKAL
Well done
Thanks for sharing
Best regards
Vivek

Budapestman (43200) 2006-08-19 13:20

Dear Sabyasachi!
I think was an excellent idea to indroduce this serie, because very informative and interesting!This photo showed this place in fabled mood! Antiquated atmosphere, colours and mistique lights gives spiritual mood! Fascinating shot!
Thank you, nice days
George

Lynette (1615) 2006-08-19 15:25

Hi Sabs,
You have so many beautiful images. Your notes are also very informative and give the image context. Great composition.
Well done.
Greetings in India
: ) lynette

ALIRIZA (16197) 2006-08-19 15:44

Hi Sabyasachi,
Marvelous atmosphere nice background. Very beautiful and original picture. Lovely colors tone and nice composition. Congratulation!
Best Regards...
Ali Rıza

[2]

zokakelt (1153) 2006-08-19 18:35

Great photo and note. I like this too.
Well done!
Zoran

partha (13677) 2006-08-20 1:32

Dear sabyasachi,
may be the weather is bad, it looks really dramatic. I like the atmosphere it delivers.
Well done.
Partha

ramesh_lalwani (3209) 2006-08-20 3:53

Hi talukdar
Very informative note.Sure you are lucky to make trip to this place being on route to Badrinath.
Ramesh

captainsgirl (3448) 2006-08-20 6:14

I think the weather just adds to this beautiful photograph!
the mist hanging over the hill behind is so pretty.
Great shot and am really enjoying your trip!
TFS
Donna

cunejo200 (7243) 2006-08-20 8:40

Hello Sabyasachi,
An impressive picture. I had to read your Note to undertand the significance of the imposing star shaped structure. Wonderful details and colors. My sincerest regards.
Danilo

prezntime (3945) 2006-08-20 9:55

Friend.
I can only say that I have learned more about diversity in your last four photos than in the last thirty years of my life. I'm not being dramatic, but it is amazing what a good, thoughtful education by someone willing to teach can produce. To that end, thank you.
Your POV is really good. Despite the weather and quality, it is a very fine picture. I should say, "Inspite" of the weather and quality. I look forward to many more from you.
Reagards,
Chris
:)
be back

zeca (20026) 2006-08-20 11:22

Hello Sabyasachi!
This is another wonderful picture from your beautiful country. I´m happy you had been sharing it with TE, because it is a nice chance to learn about India. Congratulations!
Regards,
Zeca

Angshu (34177) 2006-08-21 0:30

This is quite incredible Sabyasachi...I have never seen this wonderful Gurudwara before & thanks for sharing it with us. The locale is fantastic & your WS posts are equally interesting. Scan copy notwithstanding, this is an excellent post from you
Regards
Angshu

chrisnet (20376) 2006-08-21 4:34

Hello Saby,
Beautiful shot with nice colors and like very much the cloudy sky,a very good composition.
Congratulations
Christian

tcht (7298) 2006-08-21 5:30

Hi Sabyasachi,
Thats a beautiful architecture and very interesting shaped roof. Even though this weather was 'unkind' it makes an atmospheric shot for you, I simply love the mist and the deep coloured green hill. Excellent photog.
Regards,
CheukHin

jhm (83684) 2006-08-21 7:02

Hi Sabyasachi,

A very specially roof here, also the pink colour gives a lovely contrast against the green and misty background, maybe a little bit noise in the sky to left in corner.

Have a nice week,
John.

john_c (24635) 2006-08-21 10:51

Hi Sabyasachi,
Despite the scan, the beauty of the photo comes through here. I like the rich hues and textures. The sky certainly sets a special mood. This is a great mini series you are offering and is a valuable contribution to TE. Well done.
John

eza1701 (3343) 2006-08-21 18:36

Interesting note as always Sabyasachi and a photo of an interesting place. I know you would have preferred better weather but I like the cloud cover as it ceates an interesting atmosphere.

lucasgalodoido (16891) 2006-08-22 1:20

Olá Sabyasachi!
Gostei desse templo! Bastante bagunçado, lembra as feiras e mercados aqui do Brasil, no principio achei que era um mercado também!
A nota e a foto estão ótimos!
Parabéns e Abraço!

bboss (3570) 2006-08-22 13:05

Nice one, thanks for taking me back to this amazing place. I remember being a little disapointed when I came to this temple, I was expecting something more impressive to match its location, but somehow you have captured something which I failed to find in my shots of this place. Maybe its in the dreamy post processing you have used.
I remember taking a bath in that cold cold water, brrrr

cheers, David

singuanti (15240) 2006-08-22 22:43

Hi Sabyasachi. Wow this is so very impressive. The clouds and light are both so dramatic and exciting. My only suggestion would be to use less frame and include more picture.

prumod (8264) 2006-09-06 11:17

hi sabya
very interesting mix of red and green...
nice gradients too....
take care
pramod