Guru Amar Das

Guru Amar Das was the third of the Ten Gurus of Sikhism. Guru Amar Das Ji became Sikh Guru at the age of 72 following in the footsteps of his teacher Sri Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji. Guru Amar Das ji established his headquarters in the town of Goindwal Sahib, which was established by Sri Guru Angad Dev Sahib Ji. Guru Amar Das Ji took up cudgels of spirituality to fight against caste restrictions, caste prejudices and the curse of untouchability.He strengthened the tradition of the free kitchen, Guru Ka Langar (started by Guru Nanak), and made his disciples, whether rich or poor, whether high born or low born (according to the Hindu caste system), have their meals together sitting in one place.He thus established social equality amongst the people. Guru Amar Das Ji introduced the Anand Karaj marriage ceremony for the Sikhs, replacing the Hindu form. He also completely abolished amongst the Sikhs, the custom of Sati, in which a married woman was forced to burn herself to death in the funeral pyre of her husband. The custom of Paradah (Purda), in which a woman was required to cover her face with a veil, was also done away with.

- An article by Vishawish.com