Glossary > What is a Gurdwara
What is a Gurdwara
Gudwara is a compound of two words, "Gur" for Guru, and "Dwara" meaning
house or door [From Wikipedia]. People of all religious backgrounds or of no
religious faith are welcomed into a Sikh Gurdwara. However, it is necessary
that any visitors removetheir shoes and cover their head with a rumal before entering the Darbar Sahib. Visitors are also forbidden to go into the gurdwara while they are inebriated or possess alcohol, cigarettes or any intoxicating substance.
Customs and etiquette
Devotees will sit cross-legged on the floor and must never point their feet
towards the holy Guru granth Sahib. All those who enter the hall must remove their shoes and cover their heads before entering. On entering the hall, devotees
walk slowly and respectfully to the main throne on which the Guru Granth Sahib rests. Devotees then stand before the Holy Scriptures, often say a silent prayer, offer a donation (if able), then bow humbly. These manners and practices, though seemingly ritualistic in modern times are actually a well preserved extension of
the ancient Punjabi practice of respect (for elders, ruling or religious persons). When visiting a Gurdwara the following guidelines should be followed:
- Dress appropriately so that you can comfortably and with decency sit on the carpeted floor. It is recommended to wear loose fitting clothing which covers most
of your legs to reduce distraction and thoughts of kaam and lust. - While entering the main Prayer Hall (Darbar Sahib or Darbar Hall), all visitors will have to remove their shoes and place them in the shoe racks provided, for which a token will be issued depending on the practice of the gurdwara.
- Visitors cannot enter the Gurdwara while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, tobacco products should not be taken into the Gurdwara, nor should they be used immediately before entering.
- All visitors will need to cover their heads while in the Darbar Hall and Dining Hall (Langar Hall) inside the Gurdwara.
Head covering for men/boys will normally be available in the Gurdwara but a knotted handkerchief is acceptable. (The Gurdwara may provide handkerchief sized cloth to cover the head). Other hats (eg baseball-style caps) are not appropriate. Non-Sikh and Sikh Visitors to a Gurdwara shown with their heads covered. Non-Sikh and Sikh Visitors to a Gurdwara shown with their heads covered. Women/Girls will need to wear a headscarf or such head covering but they can also wear a knotted handkerchief. The Gurdwara usually has a box of scarves, but you should bring your own headscarf for this purpose.
- On first entering the large prayer room (called the Darbar Sahib), a small bow to the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book) shows respect to the 'Guru'. It is
normal to sit cross-legged. - Visitors will be offered Kara Parshad (sweet flour and oil based food offered as prashad) in the worship hall, which is usually given into the cupped hands of a visitor. If you are uncertain about your ability to eat a lot of this prashad - Say "thoda" "very small portion" to the Sewadar (volunteer) serving the Kara Parshad. You should take a small plastic bag (or ask for one from the Sewadar serving the Kara Parshad) to save your Kara Parshad for consumption later.
- You may be offered Langar (vegetarian food from the communal kitchen). If not too certain about consuming this food you can ask to be excused although
most people should take langar as it is regarded as a blessing by the Guru. When in the Langar Hall, it is better to ask for less rather than take too much and waste the food. Say "very little" to the Sewadar serving the Langar. If you require more later, just wait for the Sewadar to come around, also remember all
food in the Langar is vegetarian, so don't ask for meat! - If you are at a fundamen talist Gurdwara, you may be required to sit on the ground while eating langar. The more modern, or "moderate" temples allow the visitors to sit on chairs and eat on tables