About Gurdwara Sahib
Gurdwara (the door or the gateway to the Guru) is the name given to the Sikh’s place of worship, commonly addressed as Sikh temple in the western world. The Sikh scriptures are recited or sung and sermons are delivered. Guru Granth Sahib is placed on high palanquin under a canopy in the middle of one end of the hall. As well as sermons and the singing of the scriptures, the congregation is expected to participate in the ceremonies of birth, baptism, marriage, death and celebration of festivals.
Gurdwara meaning the gate way to the Guru, is the best palce of worship for Sikhs,however, people of all faiths are welcomed in the Sikh Gurdwara. The Gurdwara has a Darbar Sahib where the Guru Granth Sahib is seen and a Langar where people can eat free food served by the Sikhs Community. A gurdwara may also be a library, nursery and classromm. A Gurdwara can be identified from a distance by tall flagpoles bearing the Nishan Sahib, the Sikh Flag. Any place where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and treated with due respect according to Sikh Rehat Maryada (the Sikh code of conduct and convention) can be referred to as a gurdwara, whether it is a room in one’s own house or a separate building.
