Mark Cagnon

And over the centuries, everyone from the Persians to the Greeks. Yeah, Christos, the Greeks. It's a central Asian nomads, Mughal emperors and eventually even the British all rolled through the area. And all that mixing left a deep cultural imprint, as you can imagine. So religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Jainism were already woven into daily life.

And over the centuries, everyone from the Persians to the Greeks. Yeah, Christos, the Greeks. It's a central Asian nomads, Mughal emperors and eventually even the British all rolled through the area. And all that mixing left a deep cultural imprint, as you can imagine. So religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Jainism were already woven into daily life.

And that blend of ideas helped shape what would eventually become Sikhism. So what is the gudwara? I've been to a gudwara for Akash's wedding, matter of fact. Sikhs basically go to this place. They gather in places known as gudwaras. Also, I just want to apologize in general to all the Sikhs that are watching this. I don't have great pronunciation. I am just a guy from Florida trying my best.

And that blend of ideas helped shape what would eventually become Sikhism. So what is the gudwara? I've been to a gudwara for Akash's wedding, matter of fact. Sikhs basically go to this place. They gather in places known as gudwaras. Also, I just want to apologize in general to all the Sikhs that are watching this. I don't have great pronunciation. I am just a guy from Florida trying my best.

So if I mispronounce anything, drop it in the comments. My apologies in advance. So the gurdwara literally means the doorway to the guru or the guru, if you were to pronounce it correctly. I'm going to say guru. And this building becomes a gurdwara by housing a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib. This is the Sikh holy book.

So if I mispronounce anything, drop it in the comments. My apologies in advance. So the gurdwara literally means the doorway to the guru or the guru, if you were to pronounce it correctly. I'm going to say guru. And this building becomes a gurdwara by housing a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib. This is the Sikh holy book.

Now, in this place, men and women of all castes and social backgrounds come together for communal meals, prayer, singing. These meals are interesting. They're actually known as langar. Anyone can visit these gurdwaras and participate in services and the meals followed by, you know, basic etiquette, right?

Now, in this place, men and women of all castes and social backgrounds come together for communal meals, prayer, singing. These meals are interesting. They're actually known as langar. Anyone can visit these gurdwaras and participate in services and the meals followed by, you know, basic etiquette, right?

They have to cover their head, remove their shoes, wash their hands upon entering, and they may not bring any drugs, even tobacco inside the gurdwara. It was actually really beautiful. I was told even at the wedding that I went to that anyone can go to this place and receive a meal, no matter who you are, where you are on earth. So that's something to note.

They have to cover their head, remove their shoes, wash their hands upon entering, and they may not bring any drugs, even tobacco inside the gurdwara. It was actually really beautiful. I was told even at the wedding that I went to that anyone can go to this place and receive a meal, no matter who you are, where you are on earth. So that's something to note.

If you're ever just, you know, lost somewhere, maybe you're in Houston or something, you're like, man, I'm starving. I don't have solid footing beneath me. These folks, the very kind people at the Gurdwara, the Sikhs, will take care of you. So the most important Sikh Gurdwara in the world is the Harmandir Sahib, better known as the Golden Temple. You can see a picture of it here. It's beautiful.

If you're ever just, you know, lost somewhere, maybe you're in Houston or something, you're like, man, I'm starving. I don't have solid footing beneath me. These folks, the very kind people at the Gurdwara, the Sikhs, will take care of you. So the most important Sikh Gurdwara in the world is the Harmandir Sahib, better known as the Golden Temple. You can see a picture of it here. It's beautiful.

It was completed in 1604 under Guru Arjan in Armistar, India, and it still houses the original copy of the Guru Granth Sahib. Remember, this is the holy text. And this temple specifically has fascinating architecture. I think it's actually interesting and important to start sometimes with the actual communal place of a people to really understand who the people are and what they value.

It was completed in 1604 under Guru Arjan in Armistar, India, and it still houses the original copy of the Guru Granth Sahib. Remember, this is the holy text. And this temple specifically has fascinating architecture. I think it's actually interesting and important to start sometimes with the actual communal place of a people to really understand who the people are and what they value.

And the temple's architecture in this case is no different. So you have the four doors opening in all directions to welcome people from every background, from all walks of life. And while multiple entrances exist, only one path leads to the inner sanctum, representing how all spiritual paths ultimately lead to the one God. Today, the Golden Temple draws around...

And the temple's architecture in this case is no different. So you have the four doors opening in all directions to welcome people from every background, from all walks of life. And while multiple entrances exist, only one path leads to the inner sanctum, representing how all spiritual paths ultimately lead to the one God. Today, the Golden Temple draws around...

6 million visitors every year, making it one of the most visited religious sites in the world. Its communal meal, the langar, serves free meals to about 100,000 people every day. Regardless of your background, whatever your belief is, and it is the largest free communal kitchen meal meeting place on earth. And it's all run on volunteer support. I mean, like, that's awesome.

6 million visitors every year, making it one of the most visited religious sites in the world. Its communal meal, the langar, serves free meals to about 100,000 people every day. Regardless of your background, whatever your belief is, and it is the largest free communal kitchen meal meeting place on earth. And it's all run on volunteer support. I mean, like, that's awesome.

Like, how cool is that? Anyone can go to this place and receive a meal. 100,000 people a day. That's crazy. And so today, there are 25 million Sikhs around the world. Most of them live in India, as you can imagine, and in Punjab. But here's something interesting. While Sikhs make up only about 2% of India's total population, they account for 60% of the people in Punjab, where the religion begins.

Like, how cool is that? Anyone can go to this place and receive a meal. 100,000 people a day. That's crazy. And so today, there are 25 million Sikhs around the world. Most of them live in India, as you can imagine, and in Punjab. But here's something interesting. While Sikhs make up only about 2% of India's total population, they account for 60% of the people in Punjab, where the religion begins.