A gurdwara (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ, gurdu'ārā or ਗੁਰਦਵਾਰਾ, gurdvārā), meaning "the doorway to the Guru", is the Sikh place of worship and may be referred to as a Sikh temple. Punjabi (pa ਪੰਜਾਬੀ in Gurmukhi script pa-PK {{Nastaliq پنجابی}} in Shahmukhi script Pañjābī in Transliteration) is an Sikh (English or; ਸਿੱਖ sikkh, IPA) is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism. One of the most famous gurdwaras is the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, in northern India. Sri Harmandir Sahib ( Punjabi: ਦਰਬਾਰ ਸਾਹਿਬ) informally referred to as The Golden Temple or Temple of God, He himself was decapitated Amritsar (ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤਸਰ meaning The Lake of the Holy Nectar, is the administrative headquarters of the Amritsar District in the state
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Visiting a Gurdwara
Gurdwara is a house of the guru, derived from "Gur" for Guru, and "Dwara" meaning house or door. People of all religious backgrounds or of no religious faith are welcomed into a Sikh Gurdwara. However, it is necessary that any visitors remove their shoes and cover their head with a rumāl before entering the Darbar Sahib. A Rumāl ( Punjabi: ਰੁਮਾਲ is a piece of clothing similar to a Handkerchief or Bandana. Darbar Sahib refers to the main hall within a Sikh Gurdwara. This hall is where the current and perpetual Guru of the Sikhs the Guru Granth Sahib is placed Visitors are also forbidden to go into the gurdwara while they are inebriated or possess alcohol, cigarettes or any intoxicating substance.
Customs and etiquette
Devotees will sit cross-legged on the floor and must never point their feet towards the holy Guru Granth Sahib. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ gurū granth sāhib) or Guru Granth Sahib, is the eleventh and eternal Guru of the All those who enter the hall must remove their shoes and cover their heads before entering. On entering the hall, devotees walk slowly and respectfully to the main throne on which the Guru Granth Sahib rests. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji (ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ gurū granth sāhib) or Guru Granth Sahib, is the eleventh and eternal Guru of the Devotees then stand before the Holy Scriptures, often say a silent prayer, offer a donation (if able), then bow humbly. These manners and practices, though seemingly ritualistic in modern times are actually a well preserved extension of the ancient Punjabi practice of respect (for elders, ruling or religious persons).
When visiting a Gurdwara the following guidelines should be followed:
- Head covering for men/boys will normally be available in the Gurdwara but a knotted handkerchief is acceptable. (The Gurdwara may provide handkerchief sized cloth to cover the head). Other hats (eg baseball-style caps) are not appropriate.
Non-Sikh and Sikh Visitors to a Gurdwara shown with their heads covered.
- Women/Girls will need to wear a headscarf or such head covering but they can also wear a knotted handkerchief. The Gurdwara usually has a box of scarves, but you should bring your own headscarf for this purpose.
- On first entering the large prayer room (called the Darbar Sahib), a small bow to the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book) shows respect to the 'Guru'. Darbar Sahib refers to the main hall within a Sikh Gurdwara. This hall is where the current and perpetual Guru of the Sikhs the Guru Granth Sahib is placed It is normal to sit cross-legged.
- Visitors will be offered Kara Parshad (sweet flour and oil based food offered as prashad) in the worship hall, which is usually given into the cupped hands of a visitor. In Sikhism, Karah Parshad is a flour and butter-based vegetarian food also known as sooji Halva, which is offered to all visitors to the Darbar Sahib in If you are uncertain about your ability to eat a lot of this prashad – Say "thoda", which means “very small portion” to the Sewadar (volunteer) serving the Kara Parshad. Sewadar is a Punjabi word for a volunteer who offers his/her services to a Gurdwara or to the Sikh community free of charge You should take a small plastic bag (or ask for one from the Sewadar serving the Kara Parshad) to save your Kara Parshad for consumption later.
- No meat is allowed in the gurdwara.
- You may be offered Langar (vegetarian food from the communal kitchen). Langar may refer to Langar (Sikhism British Parachute Schools - Langar - parachuting drop zone Langar Nottinghamshire If not too certain about consuming this food you can ask to be excused although most people should take langar as it is regarded as a blessing by the Guru. A guru (गुरु গুরু is a person who is regarded as having great knowledge wisdom and authority in a certain area and uses it to guide others When in the Langar Hall, it is better to ask for less rather than take too much and waste the food. Say “very little” to the Sewadar serving the Langar. If you require more later, just wait for the Sewadar to come around, also remember all food in the Langar is vegetarian, do not ask for meat.
- If you are at a traditional Gurdwara, you may be required to sit on the ground while eating langar. The more modern Gurdwaras allow the visitors to sit on chairs and eat on tables. Also within the Gurdwara is usually a learning center for Sikhs to learn more about their religion, as well as a library.
See also
- List of Sikh festivals
- Sikhism
- Sikh
- Gurdwaras Worldwide
- Gurdwaras in Africa
- Gurdwaras in Asia excluding India, Pakistan
- Gurdwaras in Australia and Oceania
- Gurdwaras in Europe excluding UK
- Gurdwaras in India
- Gurdwaras in Pakistan
- Gurdwaras in Canada
- Gurdwaras in South America and Mexico
- Gurdwaras in the United Kingdom
- Gurdwaras in the United States
External links
- Discipline and procedures in a Gurdwara
- Global Gurudwara Database
- Complete list of Directories for Gurdwaras worldwide.
- Listing of Gurudwaras where pilgrims can stay overnight at no cost. Reviews and contact information provided where applicable
- Historical Sikh Gurdwaras - SikhismGuide.org
- - Gurudwara Database on your mobileBrowse Gurudwara directory on your mobile phones. Sikhism ( IPA: or; ਸਿੱਖੀ sikkhī, IPA:) founded on the teachings of Nanak and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century Sikh (English or; ਸਿੱਖ sikkh, IPA) is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism. See also Gurdwara This is a list of major Gurdwaras Worldwide Gurdwara A Gurdwara is a place of worship for Sikh people It is a place where Sikhs can gather to hear devotional hymns and recital from the Guru Granth Sahib - A Gurdwara is a place of worship for Sikh people It is a place where Sikhs can gather to hear devotional hymns and recital from the Guru Granth Sahib - the Sikh This is a list of Sikh Gurdwaras or places of worship in Australia: Australia Victoria Sri Guru Ravidass This is a list of Sikh Gurdwaras in Europe. Austria Gurdwara Nanaksar, Austria Gurdwara Nanaksar Historic dwara Baoli Sahib]] Gurdwara Bibeksar Gurdwara Bir Baba Buddha Gurdwara Chehrata Sahib Gurdwara Chaubara Gurdwaras in Pakistan are an essential part of Sikhism and form an important part of the History of Sikhism. The following is a list of Gurdwaras in Canada Alberta Fort Mcmurray Sikh Society Gurdwara Nanaksar Edmonton Here is a list of Gurdwaras in Mexico and South America please note these are only major known Gurdwaras around the area A list of Gurdwaras in the United Kingdom: England Sikh Gurudwara Darlington Darlington Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh What is a Gurdwara? A Gurdwara (ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ gurdu'ārā or pa ਗੁਰਦਵਾਰਾ gurdvārā) meaning "the doorway to the Guru"
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