GURDWARA - THE SIKH PLACE OF WORSHIP Prof. Pritam Singh Grewal is a former College lecturer and Public School Principal from Punjab, India; He is presently a local Heritage Language Teacher.

GUR + DWARA means Guru's Abode. It is a place for the Sikh congregational worship of God in the presence of GURU GRANTH SAHIB, the Sikh scripture. This 1430 page anthology of hymns composed by the Sikh Gurus also contains sayings of 15 Hindu and Muslim holy men who believed in One God and equality of the human race.

Its first edition was compiled by the Fifth Guru, Arjan Dev Ji, in 1604. Guru Granth Sahib, as the Guru's Word, holds the supreme authority for the Sikhs. The holy book, reverently covered in robes, is kept on a raised place under a canopy in every Gurdwara. As a mark of respect for the Guru's Word, the Sikhs bow before this book and then sit cross-legged on the carpet in the hall.

All persons, regardless of caste, creed, colour or age can enter a Gurdwara. They must take off their shoes, clean their hands and feet and cover their heads before going in. Alcohol, tobacco or intoxicants are not allowed there.

The daily worship in a Gurdwara generally consists of the opening of Guru Granth Sahib in the morning, singing of the Guru's hymns, joint prayer, reading of a passage from the holy book and its exposition. A similar service is performed in the evening before the closing of the scripture.

Sikh women can also lead the service. It may be noted that though the Sikhs highly respect the Guru's Word in the form of Guru Granth Sahib, yet the only object of their worship is One Eternal and Omnipresent God. The Sikhs call Him WAHEGURU, or the Wonderful Lord .. but according to the Guru one can worship God by any name. Muslim epithets like Allah, Karim, Rahim; and Hindu epithets like Ram, Gobind, Madhav etc.. for Him, occur in the Sikh scripture.

Another essential part of a Gurdwara is the Guru's Langar or the free common kitchen where all are welcome to share food for which the devotees voluntarily contribute in cash or kind. The food is prepared and caringly served by volunteers to the Pangat or the people sitting together in rows. In some historical Gurdwaras, the common kitchen serves the visitors round the clock.

Outwardly, a Gurdwara is recognizable from a saffron-coloured triangular flag having the Sikh emblem of swords and circle on it. (shown below)

This article was originally published in Cross Cultures Magazine in Volume 1 - Issue 5 - 1992. Unauthorized copying, distribution or other usage without express written permission of the publisher is prohibited.