Ardas

(Prayer)

The word “Ardas” literally means “prayer.”  The Ardas is a way to give voice to a personal connection to the Divine and it can be a way to express a coordinated group intention. Coming together to pray, the Ardas is a powerful tradition that is used by Sikhs everywhere.  It can be recited every day or before undertaking any activity of significance, before leaving on a journey, to give thanks, or as a way of daily remembering the Creator.

The traditional Sikh Ardas has come to represent a specific form of prayer recited in every Gurdwara program. It is recited before the Guru is transported or brought into Prakaash, just before the hukam is taken and again when the Guru is set into Sukhasaan.

On this page are a number of resources sharing the history and meaning of Ardas, including a “How to Recite Ardas” video which talks about the origins of the different parts of the Ardas.