NitNem Timings !!
1) Ideally one should get up before the eighth pehar ( 3am) so they can do ishnaan, get ready, and be ready
to do their Panj Bania by 3am.
ਸਵਾ ਪਹਿਰ ਨਿਸ਼ ਕਰੇ ਸ਼ਨਾਨ, ਬਾਣੀ ਪੜ੍ਹੈ ਖੜ ਪੱਗ ਬਧਾਨ। (ਪੰਥ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ, ਪੰਨਾ ੫੪)
3) Rehras should be done around 45 minutes before the day ends. In Calfornia, the Sun doesnt set untill like 8 so I start rehras a little earlier .
ਜਬ ਦੁਇ ਘੜੀ ਰਹੇ ਦਿਨੁ ਤਾਂ ਸੋ ਦਰੁ ਰਹਿਰਾਸ ਨਾਲ- ਰਹਿਤਨਾਮਾ ਭਾਈ ਨੰਦ ਲਾਲ ਜੀ
According to Bhai Sahib SInghs rehatnama and Guru Arjan Dev Jis rehatnama , evening prayers should be accompanied with Aarti ( kirtan) as was the practice since the time of Pehli Paatshah and is mentioned in Bhai Gurdas Jis Vaaran.
ਸੋਦਰ ਆਰਤੀ ਗਾਵੀਐ ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ਵੇਲੇ ਜਾਪੁ ਉਚਾਰਾ
4) According to Prem Sumarag Rehatnama, one should do Naam Abhyiaas and Kirtan sohila should be done in the night when one is getting tired.
Wonderful is WaaheGuru Jis creation. Everything in his creation is meant for the purpose of worshiping him including the Sun. The sun serves as a watch and reminds us when its time to pray. For example, Guru Sahib gives us Hukum to do nitnem at around 12pm ( when 2 pehars have passed)
ਜਬ ਦੋ ਪਹਿਰ ਦਿਨੁ ਰਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਹਾਥਿ ਪੈਰ ਧੋਵੈ, ਧੋ ਕਰ ਜਪੁ ਤੇ ਜਾਪੁ ਦੋਵੈਂ ਪੜੈ੍ l
Bhai Nand Lal JIs rehatnma
ਜੋ ਦੋਇ ਪਹਿਰ ਦਿਨੁ ਆਇਆ ਹੈ ਤਾਂ ਫੇਰਿ ਹਥ ਪੈਰ ਗੋਡਿਆ ਤਕ ਧੋਇ ਕਰਿ, ਇਕ ਵੇਰੀ ਜਪੁ, ਜਾਪੁ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਪੜੈ, ਫੇਰ ਕਿਰਤਿ ਕਰੈ।
prem sumarag
Many times people do morning Paath and then the next time they do paath is rehras. This is an extremely long period to not pray. Noon paath allows us take some time of work and do Paath. Its the half way point of the day, and reminds us we work for the purpose of praising WaaheGuru.
In the old days when the Singhs were working in the fields they didnt need a watch to know what time it was to do paath. When the Sun was at its Zenith (all the way on top) it was an indication that it was 12 pm. Meaning the Sun looks like the hand of a clock when it reaches 12 pm its right on the top of the sky.Even during Rehras we know what time to pray just by looking at the Sun. When the sun is setting we know its time to pray.
We also know the time Amrit Vela is over by looking at the Sun. The Sun rising is an indication that AMrit Vela is over. Doing prayers around these 3 times ( teen Kaal sandhiya) is extremely beneficial. Orthodox Jews, Orthodox Christians, Orthodox Muslims, Orthodox Hindus, and Rehatvan Singhs pray during these times so its the time God is giving most kirpa to humanity.
Yes in Sikhi the goal is to do Naam Abhyiaas 24/7 but these times are great to re-fuel our tanks with Gurbani Naam.
ਤੀਨ ਕਾਲ ਮੇਂ ਨਾਮ ਜਪੁ, ਜਨਮ ਮਰਨ ਕਟ ਫਾਸਿ
-Bhai Daya SIngh Jis rehatnama