From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (August 2006) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (August 2007)

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. The most famous and the holiest gurdwara is the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, in northern India.

Contents 1 Visiting a Gurdwara 1.1 Seating segregation 1.2 Customs and etiquette 2 See also 3 External links

In most, but not all gurdwaras, men and women typically sit on different sides of the room, separated in the middle by a pathway that leads to the Guru Granth Sahib. This is because the religion thinks that the males and females may be distracted by the opposite sex. Children of either gender may sit on either side. Some Gurdwaras, especially smaller ones, do not have this division. When entering the Darbar Hall Sikhs should have their mind on the guru while singing God's praises.

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. Visitors are also forbidden to go into the gurdwara while they are inebriated or possess alcohol, cigarettes or any intoxicating substance.

Devotees will sit cross-legged on the floor. 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. 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:

• Dress appropriately so that you can comfortably and with decency sit on the carpeted floor. It is recommended to wear loose fitting clothing which covers most of your legs to reduce distraction and thoughts of kaam and lust.

• While entering the main Prayer Hall (Darbar Sahib or Darbar Hall), all visitors will have to remove their shoes and place them in the shoe racks provided, for which a token will be issued depending on the practice of the gurdwara.

• Visitors cannot enter the Gurdwara while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, tobacco products should not be taken into the Gurdwara, nor should they be used immediately before entering.

• All visitors will need to cover their heads while in the Darbar Hall and Dining Hall (Langar Hall) inside the Gurdwara.

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.

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'. It is normal to sit cross-legged in a yoga style. It is recommended to practice this at home if possible before a visit to the Gurdwara.

• 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. If you are uncertain about your ability to eat a lot of this prashad – Say "thoda" “very small portion” to the Sewadar (volunteer) serving the Kara Parshad. 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.

• You may be offered Langar (vegetarian food from the communal kitchen). 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. 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, so don't ask for meat!

• If you are at fundamentalist Gurdwara, you may be required to sit on the ground while eating langar. The more modern, or "moderate" temples allow the visitors to sit comfortably on chairs and eat on tables.

Also within the Gurdwara is a learning center for Sikhs to learn more about their religion, as well as a library.

• 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

v • d • e   Topics in Sikhism
Gurus	Guru Nanak Dev • Guru Angad Dev • Guru Amar Das • Guru Ram Das • Guru Arjan Dev • Guru Har Gobind • Guru Har Rai • Har Krishan • Guru Teg Bahadur • Guru Gobind Singh • Guru Granth Sahib • Sikh Bhagats
Philosophy	Beliefs and principles • Underlying values • Prohibitions • Technique and methods • Other observations
Practices	Ardās • Amrit Sanskar • Chaṛdī Kalā • Dasvand • Five Ks • Kirat Karō • Kirtan • Langar • Nām Japō • Simran • Three Pillars • Vaṇḍ Chakkō
Scripture	Guru Granth Sahib • Adi Granth • Dasam Granth • Bani • Chaupai • Jaap Sahib • Japji Sahib • Mool Mantar • Rehras • Sukhmani Sahib • Tav-Prasad Savaiye
More	History • Ek Onkar • Gurdwara • Harmandir Sahib • History • Khalsa • Khanda • Literature • Music • Names • Places • Politics • Satguru • Sikhs • Waheguru • Bhagat Farid • Bhagat Kabir • History of the Punjab • Sardar • Takhat
Portal:Sikhism

• 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