Sikhs remember Waheguru every day. They read special prayers called Banis in the morning, the evening and at night, they say Ardas, and they repeat God’s Name. Here is how Sikh daily prayer works, explained simply for all ages.
Nitnem means “daily routine”. It is the set of prayers (Banis) that Sikhs read or listen to every day. The Banis come from Guru Granth Sahib Ji and from the writings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
The Sikh Rehat Maryada (the Sikh code of conduct) asks every Sikh to read Banis in the morning, the evening and at night. Saying the prayers is not a magic formula: the aim is to remember Waheguru, to understand the Guru’s teachings and to live by them all day.
Nitnem can be read from a prayer book (a Gutka Sahib), recited from memory or listened to. Many children start by learning the Mool Mantar and Japji Sahib, a little at a time.
Amritvela means “the time of nectar”. It is the quiet time in the early hours before sunrise, and Guru Nanak Dev Ji praised it as the best time to remember God’s Name.
There is no single fixed clock time. Many Sikhs think of Amritvela as roughly 3 am to 6 am, the last part of the night before dawn. Many Sikhs wake up, bathe, and then sit for Nitnem and Simran while the world is still calm.
If you cannot wake that early, you can still pray when you get up. The Guru looks at the love in your heart, not just the clock.
The daily Banis are grouped by the time of day. Tap each card below to learn more about it.
Ardas means a humble request. It is said standing up, with hands joined, usually facing Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It is said at the end of every Gurdwara service, after Nitnem, and before starting something important, such as a journey, an exam or a new job.
Ardas has a set structure. It begins by remembering God and the Ten Gurus, one by one, and then Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Next it remembers the Panj Pyare, the four Sahibzade, the martyrs and all who served the Panth. Then comes the personal or shared request (for example for a wedding, a new baby or someone who is ill), a request for forgiveness for mistakes, and a request for the gift of Naam.
It ends by asking for the Name to keep everyone in high spirits (Chardi Kala) and for the good of all people. Everyone bows, and the Sangat often calls out the Jaikara: “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal!”
Ardas can be said in any language, by anyone, at any time — even quietly in your own words.
Waheguru is the most common Sikh word for God. It joins “Wah”, a cry of wonder, with “Guru”, the one who brings light into darkness. So it means “Wonderful Lord” or “Wondrous Guru”.
Waheguru is called the Gurmantar, the Guru’s own word for remembering God. Sikhs greet each other with “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh”, which means the Khalsa belongs to Waheguru, and victory belongs to Waheguru.
Naam Japna (repeating and remembering God’s Name) is one of the three main pillars of Sikhi, together with Kirat Karni (honest work) and Vand Chhakna (sharing).
Simran is Sikh meditation: repeating “Waheguru” with love, out loud or silently, and keeping God in mind. You can do Simran sitting quietly at Amritvela, singing Kirtan with others, or even while you walk or work.
Some Sikhs use a mala (a string of prayer beads, often with 108 beads) to help them focus. A mala is a helpful tool, not a rule: what matters is remembering Waheguru with a loving heart.
Sikhs can pray anywhere, at any time, in any language. Waheguru is everywhere and listens to everyone. Many families like to keep a few simple habits when praying at home:
A Hukamnama (or Vak) is a hymn taken from Guru Granth Sahib Ji: the Granthi Singh opens it with respect and reads the first hymn on the left-hand page. Sikhs treat it as the Guru’s guidance for that day.
In the morning at a Gurdwara, after Ardas, the Granthi opens Guru Granth Sahib Ji and reads the first hymn on the left-hand page. The daily Hukamnama from Sri Darbar Sahib (the Golden Temple) in Amritsar is shared online every morning, so Sikhs all over the world can read the same message.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji · Morning (Amritvela) · about 20 minutes
The first Bani in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It begins with the Mool Mantar and has 38 verses (Pauris) about God, truth, and how to live a good life.
Opening lines
ਆਦਿ ਸਚੁ ਜੁਗਾਦਿ ਸਚੁ ॥
aadh sach jugaadh sach ||
ਹੈ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਹੋਸੀ ਭੀ ਸਚੁ ॥੧॥
hai bhee sach naanak hosee bhee sach ||1||
Guru Gobind Singh Ji · Morning · about 15 minutes
A fast, powerful Bani of 199 verses that praises the countless qualities and names of the One God, who has no form, colour or caste.
Opening lines
ਚੱਕ੍ਰ ਚਿਹਨ ਅਰੁ ਬਰਨ ਜਾਤਿ ਅਰੁ ਪਾਤਿ ਨਹਿਨ ਜਿਹ ॥
cha'kr chihan ar baran jaat ar paat nahin jeh ||
ਰੂਪ ਰੰਗ ਅਰੁ ਰੇਖ ਭੇਖ ਕੋਊ ਕਹਿ ਨ ਸਕਤਿ ਕਿਹ ॥
roop ra(n)g ar rekh bhekh kouoo keh na sakat keh ||
Guru Gobind Singh Ji · Morning · about 5 minutes
Ten verses teaching that empty rituals, wealth and power are worthless without true love for God.
Opening lines
ਸ੍ਰਾਵਗ ਸੁੱਧ ਸਮੂਹ ਸਿਧਾਨ ਕੇ ਦੇਖਿ ਫਿਰਿਓ ਘਰ ਜੋਗ ਜਤੀ ਕੇ ॥
sraavag su'dh samooh sidhaan ke dhekh firio ghar jog jatee ke ||
ਸੂਰ ਸੁਰਾਰਦਨ ਸੁੱਧ ਸੁਧਾਦਿਕ ਸੰਤ ਸਮੂਹ ਅਨੇਕ ਮਤੀ ਕੇ ॥
soor suraaradhan su'dh sudhaadhik sa(n)t samooh anek matee ke ||
Guru Gobind Singh Ji · Morning and evening · about 5 minutes
A heartfelt prayer asking Waheguru for protection and strength. Many Sikhs read it in the morning and it is also part of Rehras Sahib.
Opening lines
ਹਮਰੀ ਕਰੋ ਹਾਥ ਦੈ ਰੱਛਾ ॥
hamaree karo haath dhai ra'chhaa ||
ਪੂਰਨ ਹੋਇ ਚਿਤ ਕੀ ਇੱਛਾ ॥
pooran hoi chit kee i'chhaa ||
Guru Amar Das Ji · Morning, and at ceremonies · about 10 minutes
A Bani of 40 verses about true bliss (Anand), which comes from meeting the Guru. Its first five and last verses are read at the end of every Sikh ceremony.
Opening lines
ਅਨੰਦੁ ਭਇਆ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਏ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੂ ਮੈ ਪਾਇਆ ॥
ana(n)dh bhiaa meree maae satiguroo mai paiaa ||
ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਤ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਹਜ ਸੇਤੀ ਮਨਿ ਵਜੀਆ ਵਾਧਾਈਆ ॥
satigur ta paiaa sahaj setee man vajeeaa vaadhaieeaa ||
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji · Evening (sunset) · about 15–20 minutes
The evening prayer, which thanks Waheguru at the end of the day’s work and asks for protection. It includes Chaupai Sahib and part of Anand Sahib.
Opening lines
ਸੋ ਦਰੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਕੇਹਾ ਸੋ ਘਰੁ ਕੇਹਾ ਜਿਤੁ ਬਹਿ ਸਰਬ ਸਮਾਲੇ ॥
so dhar teraa kehaa so ghar kehaa jit beh sarab samaale ||
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji and Guru Arjan Dev Ji · Night (before sleep) · about 5 minutes
Five short hymns read before sleeping, and at a funeral. It reminds us that life is like a day that ends, and that the soul longs to meet God.
Opening lines
ਜੈ ਘਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਿ ਆਖੀਐ ਕਰਤੇ ਕਾ ਹੋਇ ਬੀਚਾਰੋ ॥
jai ghar keerat aakheeaai karate kaa hoi beechaaro ||
How it begins: First remember the Divine Power, then remember Guru Nanak; then Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das and Guru Ram Das — may they help us. Remember Guru Arjan, Guru Har Gobind and Sri Har Rai, then Sri Har Krishan, whose sight takes away all suffering. Remember Guru Tegh Bahadur, and every treasure comes to your home. May they help us everywhere. May the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, help us everywhere. Now turn your mind to Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the living Word of the Ten Gurus, and say “Waheguru”.
How it ends: O Nanak, through Your Name may our spirits always rise (Chardi Kala), and by Your will may there be good for all (Sarbat da Bhala).
Gurbani lines and transliteration from BaniDB. The full Banis open on SikhiToTheMax. Please treat Gurbani with respect: cover your head when reading it aloud.
Nitnem is the set of daily prayers (Banis) that Sikhs read every day: Japji Sahib, Jaap Sahib and the Tav-Prasad Savaiye in the morning (many Sikhs add Chaupai Sahib and Anand Sahib), Rehras Sahib in the evening, and Kirtan Sohila at night.
Yes. Gurbani is best read in its original Gurmukhi, but English transliterations and translations of Japji Sahib and the other Nitnem Banis help many people to read along and understand the meaning. Each Bani on this page links to the full text with English.
Sikhs can pray anywhere. At home they usually cover their heads, take off their shoes, sit respectfully and read Nitnem from a Gutka Sahib or from memory, do Simran on “Waheguru”, and finish with Ardas, standing with hands joined.
Sikhs read prayers three times a day: in the morning, ideally at Amritvela before sunrise; Rehras Sahib in the evening at sunset; and Kirtan Sohila at night before sleep. Ardas and Simran can be done at any time.
Amritvela is the early morning before sunrise. There is no fixed clock time, but many Sikhs think of it as roughly 3 am to 6 am, the last part of the night before dawn.
Ardas is the Sikh standing prayer. In English, it begins by remembering God and the Ten Gurus, remembers Guru Granth Sahib Ji and those who gave their lives for Sikhi, makes a request to Waheguru, asks for forgiveness, and ends by asking for rising spirits (Chardi Kala) and the good of all (Sarbat da Bhala).
Waheguru means “Wonderful Lord” or “Wondrous Guru”. “Wah” is an expression of wonder and “Guru” is the one who brings light into darkness. It is the Sikh Gurmantar, repeated in Simran (Sikh meditation).
Some Sikhs use a mala (prayer beads) to help with Simran, but it is not required. When someone is ill, many Sikhs read Sukhmani Sahib or Chaupai Sahib and say an Ardas for their recovery, as well as getting the right medical care.