Description
Any place where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and treated with due respect according to Sikh Rehat Maryada (the Sikh code of conduct and convention) can be referred to as a gurdwara, whether it is a room in one's own house or a separate building. The main functions that are carried out in all public gurdwaras on a daily basis include:
- Shabad Kirtan: which is the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. Strictly speaking only Shabads from Guru Granth Sahib, Dasam Granth and the compositions of Bhai Gurdas and Bhai Nand Lal, can be performed within a gurdwara. It is improper to sing hymns to rhythmic folk tunes or popular film tunes.
- Paath: which is religious discourse and reading of Gurbani from the Guru Granth Sahib, with its explanations. Broadly here are two types of Paath : Akhand Paath and Sadharan Paath.
- Sangat and Pangat: which is a free community kitchen as a langar for all visitors, regardless of religious, regional, cultural, racial, caste or class affiliations.
Along with these main functions, the gurdwaras around the world also serve the Sikh community in many other ways including, libraries of Sikh literature, schools to teach children Gurmukhi (Sikh script), the Sikh scriptures and charitable work in the wider community on behalf of Sikhs.
There are no idols, statues, or religious pictures in a gurdwara, but the essential feature of a gurdwara is the presiding presence of the holy book and the eternal Sikh Guru, the Guru Granth Sahib. The Sikhs hold high respect for the teachings and commandments laid down in the Guru Granth Sahib.
A gurdwara has a darbar (main) hall, a free community kitchen called a langar, and some other facilities. A gurdwara is identified from a distance by tall flag-poles bearing the Nishan Sahib, the Sikh flag (see photo). Many of the historical gurdwaras associated with the lives of the Sikh Gurus have a sarovar (eco-friendly pool) attached for bathing.
The Sikh marriage ceremony, called Anand Karaj is performed inside a gurdwara. Sikhs also perform some of the rites of their death ceremony (Antam Sanskar) within the gurdwara. It is also the main focal point of most of the important Sikh Festivals, with the exception of Nagar Kirtan, which is a Sikh processional singing of holy hymns throughout a community; however; it does begin and conclude at a gurdwara.
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