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Worship - Inside the Gurdwara

* The Guru Granth Sahib

The focus of attention, and the only object of reverence in the main hall (or Darbar Sahib) of a Gurdwara is the book of Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, which is treated with the respect that would be given to a human Guru. The book is placed on a raised platform (Takht or Manji Sahib, meaning "throne") under a canopy (Chanani or Palki), and covered with an expensive cloth when not being read.

During a service a person with a whisk or fan (Chaur) waves it over the Guru Granth Sahib.

* The Four Doors

There are four doors into a Gurdwara, known as the Door of Peace, the Door of Livelihood, the Door of Learning and the Door of Grace.

These doors are a symbol that people from all four points of the compass are welcome, and that members of all four castes are equally welcome.

* Flying the Flag

Gurdwaras fly the Sikh flag outside.

The flag is orange/yellow and has the Sikh emblem in the middle.

* Worship - Visiting a Gurdwara Everyone is Welcome

Anyone, of any faith can visit a Gurdwara and will be made welcome.

--Before Going Into a Gurdwara

Remove your shoes and wash your feet if they are dirty.
Cover your head (young children needn't bother).
A person should not go in drunk, or carrying alcohol or tobacco. (A Sikh, of course, would not do either.)

-- On Entering a Gurdwara

Sikhs will bow to the Guru Granth Sahib as the first thing they do, touching the floor with their forehead. This not only shows their respect, but also indicates that they submit themselves to the truths contained in the book.

After bowing to the Guru Granth Sahib a Sikh will greet the congregation in a low, quiet voice with the words

'Waheguru ii ka Khalsa, sri Waheguru ji ki fateh', which mean
'The Khalsa owes allegiance to God, sovereignty belongs to God alone'

Non-Sikh visitors should also bow and make an offering.

  • Worship - A Gurdwara Service A Typical Service
    Sikhs don't have a general official liturgy that must be used in a Gurdwara, although there are rules for particular ceremonies
  • Kirtan
    The morning service begins with the singing of Asa Di Var, a hymn written by Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism.
  • Sermon
    A sermon or talk, usually based on a theme from Sikh history comes next.

This is followed by the singing of Anand Sahib, a hymn written by Guru Amar Das, the Third Guru.

  • Ardas
    The congregation then stands with eyes closed facing the Guru Granth Sahib for prayer (Ardas).

    During the prayer the word "Waheguru" (Punjabi for "praise to the Guru") is often said, and this has much the same role as the word "amen" in Christian or Jewish services.

  • Hukam
    After the prayer, the service ends by opening the Guru Granth Sahib to a random page and reading the hymn found at the top of the left-hand page (Vak or Hukam).

  • The Ceremonial Food
    After the service, food is offered to the congregation. This consists of Parshad and a more substantial meal in the langar.

    • Parshad is a sweet made from equal quantities of wheat flour, sugar, and clarified butter.

    The first five portions are given to Khalsa members in memory of the "panj pyares" (the first five members of the Khalsa).

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Worship

Congrigational worship at sikh plzce of worship(Gurudwar)called Diwaan....


Sikh Placeo Of Worship

The Gurdwara is Sikh place of worship, just like a church is for Christians, a mosque for Muslims and a temple for Hindus.


Learn Sikhism

"Among the low let my caste be the meanest,
Of the lowly, let me the lowliest be.
O Nanak! let such be the men I know...".


THE SIKH GURUS

The Sikhs had ten prophets called the Gurus. The time-period of the history of the Gurus ranged from 1469 A.D