A Gurudwara , meaning “the doorway to the Guru“, is a place of worship for Sikhs, and also a place where weary travelers and pilgrims may rest and eat. A Gurudwara is also referred to as a “Sikh temple”.
Things to keep in mind when visiting a Gurudwara:
- Wear modest attire
- Remove shoes when entering the congregation hall – this is a sign of respect (all Gurudwaras have shoe racks called Jorra Ghar)
- Cover your head whilst inside as a sign of respect
- Bow in front of the Guru Granth Sahib upon joining the congregation (people offer money towards the operation of the Gurdwara, but this is optional)
- Sit on the Floor
- Stand up during Ardas (prayer to God)
Purpose of a Gurdwara is to cultivate the peace of mind. This holy place is an important instrument for achieving this by helping to evolve the inner self by God orientation. For this, it leads the people on the easy path of worshiping God, and provides the following services:
Prayer
Worship of only one God is carried out in the set and standard (traditional) Sikh-way, in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib – the Sikh Holy Book. Singing of the Holy Hymns, sermons, and an invocation (humble prayer) to God for His mercy (blessings), and well-being of everyone, is the established way.
Langar
Community food, served equally to everyone without any discrimination of faith, place, color, sex, status or position etc. This helps to learn equality and brotherhood of the human beings. This is an absolutely free and selfless service. Langar is always vegetarian and dishes never have any meat, eggs etc. The religious gatherings serve only water, sodas, milk preparations, and never any sort of intoxicating drinks. Before entering the interior of the Gurdwara – prayer hall or Langar hall etc. leave the shoes outside in the shoe-stand area. This place should be neat and clean with proper shoe-racks, and foot pads.
Foot Cleaning Pool is in front of the main entrance of the prayer hall, or on a side of it. It should have running water to keep water clean. It should not be slippery. Foot pads should be there on both sides of it. Particularly the historical Gurdwaras have this foot-washing facility, and none can enter the prayer hall without washing the feet. The feet have to be properly washed and not just a token dip should be given to them or to the toes. Washing the feet is not a ceremony or tradition, but is to maintain cleanliness. Even the clean looking feet may be sweaty and smelly. At such places, no one can enter the prayer hall with socks on. Under some very important and special circumstances, permission to wear new pair of socks after washing the feet might be given by the management.