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Inter-Faith Visitor Learns Gurdwara Protocol
by ANGELA DOLLAR
When traveling in India, I had the opportunity to visit a lively gurdwara - a Sikh place of worship - in New Delhi. It was a completely new and amazing experience.
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded in the subcontinent's Punjab region and based on the teachings of Guru Nanak and his successors. The Sikh philosophy focuses on the equality of all people, and is said to be summed up by Guru Nanak as, “Realization of Truth is higher than all else. Higher still is truthful living.”
The Sikhs are extremely gracious in welcoming visitors and helping them to understand the Sikh religion and customs. Visiting a gurdwara is open to everyone - regardless of beliefs, caste or color.
Based on my experience, here are some guidelines to follow for a respectful visit, and notes about what to expect.
Dress modestly
Like any other sacred space, you will want to plan on dressing modestly
when visiting a gurdwara. It’s best to wear loose-fitting clothing as
you may sit with others on the floor in the main prayer hall.
Check-in before entering
The gurdwara I visited had a reception area for visitors. There was
staff on-hand to welcome and educate visitors, and to loan them a
head-covering cloth if they did not have one. The representative I met
was delighted to share information and answer all my questions about
Sikhism before I entered the gurdwara. Any trepidation I may have felt
about entering this unknown world were completely wiped away by the
hospitality of the first Sikhs I met.
Cover your head.
Everyone
must cover their heads before entering the gurdwara. Sikh men
customarily wear turbans, while Sikh women typically wear head scarves
as part of their traditional dress. If you do not have a head covering,
inquire about borrowing one when you arrive at the gurdwara. During my
visit in Delhi, there were large bandanna-like cloths available to use.
Remove your shoes and wash your hands and feet
Many gurdwaras have a fountain or small moat just outside the entrance
of the main prayer hall. It is customary to remove your shoes here and
place them on the shoe racks provided, and wash your hands and feet.
Mere steps from the chaotic streets of Delhi, this small ritual upon
entering brought an immediate feeling of peace and tranquility as I
stepped inside.
In the main prayer hall, be aware of the Guru Granth
Entering the main prayer hall, I found an immediately uplifting and
soothing feeling. Musicians playing traditional Sikh devotional music
filled the room with a beautiful sublime song. Many sat and prayed on
rugs on the floor, while others bowed and placed offerings before a
raised platform containing the Guru Granth (the holy Scripture). I sat
cross-legged and felt the positivity of the atmosphere, being careful
not to point my feet towards nor turn my back on the Guru Granth. During
a worship service, women and men each sit on a different side of the
room.
Take part in Langar
Langar is a beautiful tradition that takes place every day in
every Sikh gurdwara around the world. Langar refers to full vegetarian
meals that are funded and prepared completely by volunteer worshipers
and served to anyone who wishes to partake in them.
In the langar kitchen, I was welcomed to help prepare and cook thousands of rotis, the Punjabi flat bread staple, with a host of local volunteers. The kitchen was a hum of activity as people stirred giant pots filled with lentils and the women laughed with me as I struggled to make my roti look as perfect as theirs. Peering into the langar hall I saw a great cafeteria-like room where people shared in the great meal, and everyone pitched in to wash the dishes. The sense of true community and care was profound.
Accept parshad if it is offered to you
Parshad is a pudding-like sweet which is a sanctified offering served
to every person who enters the gurdwara. It is customary to eat it with
your right hand. If you do not wish to eat it, it is disrespectful to
refuse it or throw it away, so it is best to accept it and take it with
you.
* * * * *
I stepped out of the gurdwara and back onto the dirty, noisy streets of New Delhi with a feeling of lightness and joy. As I traveled on in India, I encountered many Sikhs, all of whom were very approachable and kind to a stranger like me. I related how much I had enjoyed learning a bit about their traditions in visiting a gurdwara, and without exception, they were happy to further the connection. If you have the opportunity, a visit to a gurdwara is a rich travel experience.
[Courtesy: Wanderlust and Lipstick]
March 7, 2012
Conversation about this article
1: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), March 07, 2012, 9:07 AM.
"I encountered many Sikhs, all of them who were very approachable and kind to a stranger like me ..." sums up the Sikhs. Here in Bradford (U.K.), our Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara has been 'twinned' with the local Royal Air Force Base (RAF Linton-on-Ouse) with 'exchange' visits and press releases, after a visit by RAF Recruitment Officers who were overwhelmed by the hospitality and welcome offered by the congregation!
2: Harpreet Singh (Delhi, India), March 07, 2012, 3:25 PM.
We need a top-notch, professionally produced documentary film spelling out the elements of Sikhi - as systematically and succinctly as Angela has done it in this article so beautifully.
3: Pritam Singh Grewal (Canada), March 08, 2012, 4:41 AM.
Thank you, Angela, for your interesting and informative article. I think it will really guide both Sikh and non-Sikh gurdwara visitors.