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| About Gurdwara | ||
| Gurdwara Gurdwara means path to the Guru.It is a place where follower of the sikh faith gather to recite and hear the scared scriptures from Guru Granth Sahib.. The Gurdwara holds ultimate sanctity in the Sikh world, hence it is important to know of the respect expected from visitors in a Gurudwara. jithe jaye bahe mera satguru so thaan suhava raam rajegursikhi so thaan bhaleya lai dhoor mukh lavaan .well said in gurbani wherever my guru(dhan sri guru granth sahib ji)goes and sits,that place is beautiful...............................................................................................................! Individuals intoxicated by alcohol, drugs, tobacco or other narcotic substances are strictly prohibited from entering Gurudwara premises. Some Gurudwaras discourage filming - either amateur or professional - unless permission is granted by the committee, some also prohibit the distribution of political propaganda. Speaking on stage to the congregation also requires permission from the Gurdwara committee. The head covering must be worn before you enter the prayers. CONDUCT IN A GURDWARA The conduct in a Gurdwara is similar in it’s sanctity to the holy shrines of other world religions, there are certain observations which must be considered regardless of rank or status. PLACES IN A GURDWARA THE SACHKHAND Sachkhand actually refers to a level of spirituality, literally it means the realm of truth, but refers commonly to the holiest room within a Gurdwara. The Sachkhand in a Gurudwara is the room where the holy scriptures are housed during the night. At the end of the day, the Guru Granth Sahib is made to rest in the Sachkhand. The head must always be covered in the Sachkhand and shoes obviously removed. The Sachkhand is normally situated in the highest point in the Gurudwara - most often it is a separate room within the Darbar THE DARBAR The Darbar is the main hall in the Gurudwara, it is here that all ceremonies are performed. Shoes must be removed and the head covered. The behavior inside the Darbar must reflect utmost respect. Inside the Darbar, there is a stage or platform on which the Guru Granth Sahib is placed, it is covered by a sheet of cloth known as an Rumala. There is a canopy above the scriptures. There is normally another platform - placed lower than the Guru Granth Sahib. This is the main stage and all speeches, narration and kirtan is performed from here. Devotees enter the Darbar and walk towards the Guru Granth Sahib. When the devotee is before the Guru he or she should place any offerings before the Guru, these offerings might be of money, food or even a cloth (from which a Rumala would later be made). Following that, the devotee would bow down before the Guru, his knees on the floor and his forehead on the ground. After that, he would take his seat on the floor - on the respective side of the Darbar. THE LANGAR One of the halls within a Gurudwara is the Langar Hall. This is the room where Langar is distributed, it will typically contain a kitchen where the langar is prepared. Traditionally, Sikhs sit on the floor - with men and women seated on separate sides. THE DAILY FUNCTIONS The daily function of a Gurdwara usually begins early in the morning. The Guru Granth Sahib would be brought down from the Sachkhand and a ceremony known as the Parkash is performed, this refers to the ‘opening’ of the holy scriptures Throughout the day, Gurbani might be read, there would normally be a sevadar in the darbar who serves the Karah Parshad to visitors. The Granthi would be available to read the Hukamnama - the Guru’s command to the visitors. In the evening, the Rahiras Sahib is read aloud and this might typically be followed by kirtan and katha - the translation of shabads and historic/scriptural narration. The evening ends with a ceremony known as the Sukh Asan, during this, the Guru Granth Sahib is closed and moved to rest in the Sachkhand. THE GRANTHI The Granthi can perhaps be best described as the ‘priest’ - although such a priest system does not exist in the Sikh faith. The Granthi is the custodian of the scriptures and is ultimately responsible for performing the daily ceremonies inside the darbar. The Granthi is usually appointed by the Gurudwara’s committee. His (or her) typical duties might include performing the two ceremonies of Parkash and Sukh Asan, reading the Hukam nama aloud to members of the sangat during the functions and at relative times in the day, performing kirtan and katha and reading certain banis to the sangat - such as the Rahiras and morning Nitnem. |