Gurudwara

The Sikh Temple is called Gurdwara, which symbolizes a door or path towards the Gurus. In every Gurdwara the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is installed in the main hall, which is used for daily prayer and service.
The reason for having a Gurdwara to perform the religious prayers and ceremonies is because the teachings of Sikhism emphasize on mutual co-operation and helping one another in the Sikh community.
Apart from that, the Sikh code of conduct and conventions states that where there are more than two Sikh families, in a place, a Gurdwara should be constructed in order to perform the religious prayers and ceremonies together.
However, the Gurdwara need not necessarily be constructed into a permanent building, if the Sikhs cannot afford to do so. In other words, a house, where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed could also be used as a Gurdwara.
A Sikh can build a Gurdwara at any place, however that place must be clean and a throne or platform must be built on which the Guru Granth Sahib, the living eternal Guru, is placed. This platform must be higher than the normal seating arrangements for the congregation, with a piece of cloth, acting as a canopy above it. In other words, any place where the Guru Granth Sahib has been installed can also be considered a Gurdwara.
Every person irrespective of caste, creed, culture or nationality can visit a Gurdwara. Before entering the Gurdwara one must take off his shoes and cover his head.
On entering the main hall every one approaches the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Holy Book) and bows before it in reverence and then sits in the main hall. In a Gurdwara men and women sit on different sides of the hall.
The important aspects of a Gurdwara are congregation - Sangat and Community Kitchen - Pangat also known as "Guru Ka Langar". This community kitchen is meant for providing food to all devotees, pilgrims and visitors. It is a symbol of equality, fraternity and brotherhood.
It is here that the high and the low, the rich and poor, the learned and the ignorant, the kings and the paupers, all share the same food sitting together in one room (Langar Hall). This kitchen is run by the common contributions of the Sikhs. The institution of Langar (Common Kitchen) is instrumental in creating social equality among the whole mankind.
Any Sikhs, male or female, may conduct religious prayers or perform services. Services begin with the singing of hymns with the musical instrument.
On special occasions, singing is intercepted with lectures, poems, or other compositions highlighting events from Sikh history.
The services are concluded with Ardas - the prayer, which invokes Waheguru's blessings in granting peace, prosperity and protection to all mankind.
After the religious prayers and services the Granthi shall read a verse from the Guru Granth Sahib and then distribute "Kra Parsad" (Sacred Pudding), made from flour, sugar and butter, to all the people present in the congregation.
At every Gurdwara, the Nishan Sahib (Sikh Flag), which is a saffron colored triangular shaped flag with a Khanda (symbol of two kirpans, a circle and a double-edged sword) in the centre of it, is hoisted either on top the Gurdwara building. The flag post is also generally covered with a saffron cloth and has a metallic Khanda at the top.
The size and shape of the Gurdwaras differs from place to place, depending on the needs of the Sikh community in that area. Inside every Gurdwara the same prayer is held and no matter where it is built, has the same sanctity. There are some Gurdwaras which in addition to being a place of prayer have also historic importance. The five most important Gurdwaras are known as Takhats (Thrones or Seats of Authority). These are:
1. Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar 2. Takht Patna Sahib in Bihar 3. Takht Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib 4. Takht Hazur Sahib at Nander in Maharashtra 5. Takht Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo in Punjab
Religious as well as temporal injunctions are issued from here from time to time for the guidance of the Sikh community. These injunctions are known as Hukam Nama and have the binding force of Sikh Law.
Another difference between the Gurdwara and the religious building of other religion is that, there is no compulsion or restriction as to how the Gurdwara is to be constructed.
In addition, there is no restriction as to which direction the Gurdwara must face or the minimum size of the Gurdwara.
However, there is one compulsion and that is, a platform higher than the seating arrangements for the congregation must be built, for placing the Holy Granth. Above it, a canopy, made of cloth must also be placed.
There is no such class as priesthood in Sikhism. However, in a Gurdwara the one who performs the daily service is called the Granthi. The hymn-singers are called Ragis and the singing of hymns is called Kirtan i.e. praise of Waheguru.

Gurudwara

The Sikh Temple is called Gurdwara, which symbolizes a door or path towards the Gurus. In every Gurdwara the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is installed in the main hall, which is used for daily prayer and service.

The reason for having a Gurdwara to perform the religious prayers and ceremonies is because the teachings of Sikhism emphasize on mutual co-operation and helping one another in the Sikh community.

Apart from that, the Sikh code of conduct and conventions states that where there are more than two Sikh families, in a place, a Gurdwara should be constructed in order to perform the religious prayers and ceremonies together.

However, the Gurdwara need not necessarily be constructed into a permanent building, if the Sikhs cannot afford to do so. In other words, a house, where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed could also be used as a Gurdwara.

Every person irrespective of caste, creed, culture or nationality can visit a Gurdwara. Before entering the Gurdwara one must take off his shoes and cover his head.

On entering the main hall every one approaches the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Holy Book) and bows before it in reverence and then sits in the main hall. In a Gurdwara men and women sit on different sides of the hall.

The important aspects of a Gurdwara are congregation - Sangat and Community Kitchen - Pangat also known as "Guru Ka Langar". This community kitchen is meant for providing food to all devotees, pilgrims and visitors. It is a symbol of equality, fraternity and brotherhood.

Any Sikhs, male or female, may conduct religious prayers or perform services. Services begin with the singing of hymns with the musical instrument.

On special occasions, singing is intercepted with lectures, poems, or other compositions highlighting events from Sikh history.

The services are concluded with Ardas - the prayer, which invokes Waheguru's blessings in granting peace, prosperity and protection to all mankind.

After the religious prayers and services the Granthi shall read a verse from the Guru Granth Sahib and then distribute "Kra Parsad" (Sacred Pudding), made from flour, sugar and butter, to all the people present in the congregation.

1. Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar

2. Takht Patna Sahib in Bihar

3. Takht Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur Sahib

4. Takht Hazur Sahib at Nander in Maharashtra

5. Takht Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo in Punjab

Religious as well as temporal injunctions are issued from here from time to time for the guidance of the Sikh community. These injunctions are known as Hukam Nama and have the binding force of Sikh Law.

Another difference between the Gurdwara and the religious building of other religion is that, there is no compulsion or restriction as to how the Gurdwara is to be constructed.

In addition, there is no restriction as to which direction the Gurdwara must face or the minimum size of the Gurdwara.

However, there is one compulsion and that is, a platform higher than the seating arrangements for the congregation must be built, for placing the Holy Granth. Above it, a canopy, made of cloth must also be placed.

There is no such class as priesthood in Sikhism. However, in a Gurdwara the one who performs the daily service is called the Granthi. The hymn-singers are called Ragis and the singing of hymns is called Kirtan i.e. praise of Waheguru.