Gurdwara, the Gateway to Guru – A Place of Worship for Sikhs

Gurdwara: A place of worship for Sikhs where they come together, like a temple to a Hindu, a mosque to a Muslim or a church to a Christian.

For many who have never experience a service in the Gurdwara, it can be difficult to understand how it works.

It is the presence of the Sacred Sikh Scripture entitled “Sri Guru Granth Sahib” (written in Gurmukhi Script) that gives the Gurdwara its religious status. Although a Gurdwara may be called the residence of the Guru (meaning the residence of God), Sikh faith firmly believes that God is omnipresent.

There are no idols, statues, or religious pictures in a Gurdwara because Sikhs worship only God, and they regard God as having no physical form.

Three main functions are carried out in all public Gurdwaras: Kirtan, Katha and Langar.

Kirtan is the singing of hymns (Gurbani) from the Sacred Sikh Scripture, Guru Granth Sahib.

Katha is the verbal explanation or discourse of reading from Guru Granth Sahib. Katha is an integral part of Sikh practice. It is still through Katha that many people gain knowledge about Sikhism and become enlightened. It is both a spiritual and historical discourse. It imparts spiritual wisdom.

Langar, or the communal meal, is the term used in the Sikh religion for the free, vegetarian-only food served with dignity and respect in a Gurdwara for all the visitors. This is offered without distinctions of caste, class or faith. It is an integral part of every congregational service in the Gurdwara.

Apart from above three main functions, Gurdwaras around the world also serve the Sikh community in many other ways including as libraries of Sikh literature, schools to teach children Gurmukhi and the Sikh scriptures and a central place to organize charitable work in the community on behalf of Sikhs.

When entering the Gurdwara one is expected to remove their shoes and cover ones bare head as signs of respect towards the sovereignty of the Guru Granth Sahib.

As one approaches the Guru Granth Sahib, he or she is expected to bow down respectfully, touching the floor with their forehead. This not only shows respect but also indicates that they submit themselves to the divine teachings contained in the Sacred Scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a raised platform or Takhat, (meaning “throne”) located under a canopy. During the service, a person with a chaur, or whisk, waves over the Guru Granth Sahib.

Everyone sits on the carpeted floor in a Gurdwara. This is to be humble before the Guru Granth Sahib. It also gives everyone a place of equal status.

The Gurdwara in Southington is “Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar” and is located at 1610 West St. with a new building opened on Feb. 12, 2011. Anyone, of any faith, can visit a Gurdwara and attend any service and all are welcome.

Author Manmohan Singh Bharara (Manny) is co-founder of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar and is the founder of Sikh Faith Organization of Spiritual Enlightenment, UjaroDeepa.Org. This entry is designed to provide educational, be it brief, information for those curious about the temple.