Gurudwara – Sikh Place of Worship
Gurudwara – The Sikh place of Worship
Any place where the Adi Guru Granth Sahib (The Holy Sikh Scripture) is installed and treated with due respect can be referred to as a Gurudwara. During the times of the early Gurus, Sikh places of worship were referred to as dharamsalas, and were treated as the learning centres. They were a place where Sikhs could gather to hear the Guru speak or sing hymns in the praise of Waheguru, and learn about Sikhi and other skills.
As the Sikh population continued to grow, Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh guru, introduced the word ‘gurudwara’ in Kartarpur, on the banks of river Ravi in the Punjab region of India. Kartarpur was a town established by the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the year 1521.
The etymology of the term ‘Gurudwara’ is from the words ‘gur (a reference to the Sikh Gurus) and ‘dwara (gateway in Gurmukhi), together meaning ‘the gateway through which the guru could be reached’.
Sikhs treat the Adi Guru Granth Sahib as the eternal Living Guru and pay utmost respect. It is the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib that gives the Gurudwara its religious status, so any building containing the Holy Book is a Gurudwara. Thus a Gurudwara can be described as
- a place to learn spiritual wisdom
- a place for religious ceremonies
- a place where children learn the Sikh faith, ethics, customs traditions and texts
- is also a community centre, and offers food, shelter, and companionship to those who need it.
VISITING A GURUDWARA
A Gurudwara can be visited by anyone, the central message of Sikhi is equality, non-discrimination and universality of humanity. Inside a gurudwara, resides the holy scripture that is placed on a raised platform, decorated with various cloths to support he Adi Guru Granth Sahib. The platform is covered under the canopy and is treated with utmost respect by everyone.
There are regular services held by the resident priests (Granthi) during the local morning and evening times. Usually full services are performed on Sundays mostly in western countries, while the regular services are held everyday in various Gurudwaras in India.
The full services at the Gurudwara include the morning and evening prayers, Keertan (Singing of hymns), taking sermons/Hukam, Ardaas – a thanksgiving prayer. Mostly all Gurudwaras serve free hot vegetarian meals and sweets to all that come and pay respects. The free community kitchens are operated by the volunteers (Sangat) in every Gurudwara.
Every Gurudwara would have ‘Four’ doors signifying the open door policy for anyone, without discrimination on caste/creed or one’s faith. the four doors signifies the welcome to all faiths and or from any direction in the world. Another highlight that can be seen at any Gurudwara is a high flagpole called ‘Nishaan Sahib’ means exalted ensign of the Khalsa or the pure. Draing upon the traditional flagpost that meant that anyone can get help, free food and lodging if required at the Gurudwara.
