Indian Arts and Culture Sikhism All About the Gurdwara the Worship Place of Sikhs Where Sikhs Worship Share Flipboard Email Print Sikhism Life and Culture Origins Sacred Scriptures Baby Names By Sukhmandir Khalsa Sukhmandir Khalsa Sikhism Expert Sukhmandir Kaur is a Sikh author, educator, and the president of Dharam Khand Sikh Academy. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on January 06, 2018 The door to the Guru's house of worship is always open and welcoming to the worshiper. Step inside the gurdwara and leave aside differences. A sublime atmosphere of devotion greets the senses. Strains of hymns beckon the ear. An array of vivid hues engage the eye. Bow before the Guru Granth in a moment of humility. A helping of the sacred delicacy, prashad, delights the palate. The scent of food cooking promises the tongue fulfillment. Sit with the congregation and discover a sanctuary for the soul. The opportunity for selfless service presents an unparalleled inner cleansing experience while at worship in a gurdwara. Gurdwara, the Sikh Place of Worship Gurdwara means the "guru's door". A gurdwara is the Sikh meeting place for worship. The members of the congregation, welcome all people to worship in the gurdwara regardless of caste, color, or creed. Read more: Gurdwara - Guru's Gateway Do Sikhs Believe in Going to Church? Before You Visit the Gurdwara Sikh Place of Worship Illustrated Guide to the Gurdwara Golden Temple of the Sikhs Nishan, the Sikh Flag The Nishan or Sikh flag is displayed outside the gurdwara in a prominent spot. The Nishan is embellished with a khanda, which represents the Sikh coat of arms. Read more: Nishan, the Sikh Flag Khanda, the Sikh Emblem Nishan of Gurdwara Bradshaw Guru Granth, the Sikh Scripture Guru Granth, the Sikh scripture is considered to be the living guru of the Sikhs. In every gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, the Guru Granth is kept on a platform in a prominent place. Sikhs worshiping at the gurdwara bow before Guru Granth before sitting down. A Sikh sitting behind the Guru Granth selects a random verse called a hukam, which is believed to be the Guru's divine command. Read more: Guru Granth the Sikh Scripture Who Are the Authors of Guru Granth Sahib? Reading a Hukam from the Guru Granth Illustrated Guide to Reading a Hukam Parkarma (Circumambulation) of Guru Granth Prashad, the Sanctified Offering Prashad is a sanctified offering of a delicate sweet pudding served to each and every person who enters the gurdwara and at the close of every worship service or ceremony which takes place in the gurdwara. The recipe for prashad is outlined in the Sikh code of conduct and conventions.Read more: Prashad Sanctified Offering Prashad Printable Recipe Prashad Illustrated Step by Step Recipe Kirtan, the Divine Hymns Kirtan is an important part of a gurdwara worship service when worshipers participate in singing hymns taken from the Guru Granth. An all night program called Rain Sabaee, is a popular event. Hymns are composed in the classic music system raag. Read more: Raag Melodious Hue Kirtan Adoration in Song Illustrated Kirtan Performance Night So Beautiful! A Gallery of Song Anand Karaj, the Sikh Marriage Ceremony Anand Karaj, the Sikh wedding ceremony takes place inside the gurdwara. The bride and groom meet with their families in the presence of the Guru Granth. Wedding vows are made by walking around the Guru Granth four times. Read more: Anand Karaj, the Sikh Marriage Ceremony Guide Sikh Wedding Anand Karaj Ceremony Illustrated Lavan, the Sikh Wedding Hymns The Wedding Hymn Amrit Sanchar Intitaion and Baptism Amrit Sanchar the Sikh baptism and initiation ceremony takes place ina secluded part of the gurdwara. New initiates join the worshipers in the gurdwara where services are held: All About Amrit Sanchar Sikh Baptism and Initiation Rites The Sikh Initiation Ceremony of Amrit Sanchar Illustrated Important Life Events The gurdwara is a place for friends and family to congregate and participate in observing ceremonies involving important life events: Janam Naam Sanskar (Sikh Baby Naming Ceremony) Before You Select a Sikh Baby Name Antam Sanskar (Sikh Funeral Ceremony) Sikh Funeral Hymns, Prayers, and Verses Should Open Air Cremation be an Option in America? Langar, Nurturing Body and Soul in the Guru's Dining Hall Langar is a divine dining experience of both physical and spiritual nourishment. Langar means kitchen, but the word is used also for the actual food prepared and eaten, as well as the dining hall itself. Worshipers participate in serving members of the congregation who gather to dine. Read more: The Sikh Dining Tradition of Langar All About Langar and the Guru's Free Kitchen Illustrated Gallery of the Gurdwara Langar Kitchen The Guru's Free Kitchen Food and Recipes Commemorative Ceremonies and Events The Sikh gurdwara is a gathering place for annual festivities and holidays involving commemorative ceremonies which include parade events: Sikh Holidays Festivals and Commemorative Celebrations Hola Mohalla, Sikh Martial Arts Parade and Gatka Exhibition Guru Gadee, the Inauguration Holiday History of the Holiday Bandi Chhor and Diwali Yuba City Annual Sikh Parade Modern Nankana and Guru Nanak’s Birth Celebrations Illustrated Gurmat Learning Camp Gurmat learning camp gives instruction about the basics of Sikhism. Classes take place in the gurdwara hall or adjacent rooms on weekends and holidays when worship services are not in progress. Students learn: About Sikh history (itihaas). About the code of conduct (rehit maryada). The Sikh scripture alphabet (Gurmukhi). To read Sikh prayerbooks (nitnem). To read Sikh scripture aloud (Gurbani). To sing and play hymns (kirtan). To meditate (naam simran). Sword dancing martial art (gatka). Yoga stretches. Historic Gurdwaras Historic gurdwaras and shrines commemorate many sites which mark events important to Sikh history: Gurdwaras and Sacred Shrines of Sikh History Historical Gurdwaras of Nankana, Pakistan Renovated Gurdwara of Modern Day Nankana Goindwal Baoli, the Well 84 Steps History of Harmandir Sahib the Golden Temple Historic Gurdwaras of Patna Gurdwara Historic Shrines and Gurdwaras of Chamkaur Muktsar 5 Shrines Commemorating the 40 Liberated Ones Bunga Mai Bhago of Nanded Bhai Joga Singh of Peshawar Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Khalsa, Sukhmandir. "All About the Gurdwara the Worship Place of Sikhs." Learn Religions, Jul. 31, 2021, learnreligions.com/all-about-the-sikh-gurdwara-where-sikhs-worship-2993096. Khalsa, Sukhmandir. (2021, July 31). All About the Gurdwara the Worship Place of Sikhs. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/all-about-the-sikh-gurdwara-where-sikhs-worship-2993096 Khalsa, Sukhmandir. "All About the Gurdwara the Worship Place of Sikhs." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/all-about-the-sikh-gurdwara-where-sikhs-worship-2993096 (accessed June 5, 2023). copy citation