CONTINUED GURDWARA (the Sikh place of worship): The term Gurdwara is a combination of two words: Guru (the Enlightened) and Dwara (literally means the door but here it denotes the abode). Hence, the gurdwara is the “abode of the Enlightened. “The gurdwara is the hub of the Sikh. Mosaic. A Sikh is supposed to join the ‘congregation in the gurdwaras frequently as possible, the gurdwara is not an ordinary place of worship. It is a center of spiritual, social and educational activities.
Generally there are four Paris to the complex of a Gurdwara: the main hall for worship, Langar, Saran (inn i, residential area) and school (for teaching of Punjabi language, Gurmukhi script and the knowledge about Sikh religion). All the major or big Gurdwaras have these facilities but in small Gurdwaras some of these four may not be available. A Nagara (large drum) should be kept in a Gurdwara and should be sounded at appropriate times.
‘The central and pivotal object in a Gurdwara is the Guru Granth Sahib (the ‘Scriptures), Guru Granth Sahib is wrapped in fine Rum alas (clothes), There must be ‘a Chanani (canopy) over the Guru Granth Sahib, A Chaur (it is wrong to call it fly whisker) must be placed near the Guru Granth Sahib. Both, the Chanani and Chaur are symbols of royalty and their presence is not functional. When the Guru Granth Sahib is brought inside the hall (or room), all those present must stand up with heads bowed and hands in prayer, ‘The burning of incense, the burning of earthen lamps with Ghee (purified butter), with a view to the holiness of lamps (In fact, it 1s worship of fire); (however, the use of lamps for necessary light is permitted), the ringing of bells and clapping etc. in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, are the acts against the Sikh Ideology. Service(s) in a Gurdwara: Generally a Gurdwara remains open to every visitor throughout the day. The services begin before sunrise with the opening of the Guru Granth Sahib and making an Ardas: (prayer), After this, Hukam (Holy Command) is read from the Guru Granth Sahib, It is followed by Nitnem and Aasa Di Var (a hymn composed by Guru Nanak Sahib) ‘Sukhmani Sahib (a hymn composed by Guru Arjan Sahib) etc. For the rest of the day Keertan (singing of hymns) is per formed. In a Gurdwara, hymns only from the Guru Granth Sahib or the verses writ: ten by Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Nand Lal (Singh) can be sung, In some Gurdwaras, there are noon and afternoon sessions 100, In these sessions, exposition of the Guru Granth Sahib is performed and/or the Sikh history is explained. In the evenings, the Guru Granth Sahib is closed (unless continuous uninterrupted recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib is going on) ‘after Rehras, Keertan (hymn singing), ‘Ardas and Sohila the hymn to be read just before retiring to bed, i.e. the last sermon). Service(s) of the Guru Granth Sahib can be performed by men and women alike, No pictures of any sort can be hung in the main congregation hall of a Gurdwara, In the library, corridors, Langarhall, office etc. pictures of the Gurdwaras and hymns. ‘Can be hung. There are no real pictures of ‘Guru Sahib, but even if these were available, it is blasphemous to hang any picture in a shrine or the other place. It’s against the Sikh ideology to bow before pictures of any sort. The Sikhs cannot bow even before the monumental platforms erected in the memory of Guru Sahib or the Sikh martyrs.
NISHAN SAHIB: On the top of the building ‘a Gurdwara a Nishan Sahib (the Sikh national flag) is erected. Ik is made in Kesari (saffron) colour and the colour of the cloth for wrapping the flag polo is Surmai (light blue), Nowadays, in many Gurdwaras, even the colour of the clothes wrapped on the flagpole too, is saffron, There is no fixed length for the flagpole but it must be taller than the building of the Gurdwara. An. insignia Khanda is mounted on the top of the flag. ‘This Khanda represents the concept of the unity of miri (temporal), and Piri (transcendental) in the Sikh ideology. How to attend a Gurdwara; Before entering the inner premises of a Gurdwara ‘everyone has to remove the shoes (if it is possible fact should be washed), Those who are not wearing Dastar (turban), should cover their heads with « cloth, ‘After washing the hands, one goes to the main hall and bows before the Guru Granth, Sahib, makes offerings (money et offering of money, however, is not obligatory, one can make obeisance even with ul any money), makes obeisance before the Guru Granth Sahib and then joins the Sangat (congregation).
Article extracted from this publication >> February 21, 1996
