Notes

A Gurdwara is the Sikh place of worship, Gurdwara means “the doorway to the Guru”. In every
Gurdwara there is a Guru Granth Sahib, as well as a Nishan Sahib, which is the Sikh flag. The Nishan
Sahib is the first main feature of a Gurdwara you see. The Nishan Sahib can be seen outside every
Gurdwara to show a Sikh place of worship. The flag is a triangular shape and is a saffron-coloured. The
colour stands for courage and sacrifice.

On the flag is the Khanda, the Khanda is the main symbol of the Sikh faith, it symbolies Gods power.
The Khanda consists of four weapons in the centre is a double edged sword called a Khanda, The Khanda
represents knowledge of divinity and the power of God. Surrounding the Khanda is a circular quoit,
called a Chakkar which symbolies the unity of God. On either side are crossed daggers which are called
Kirpans, or Piri and Miri which are named after the personal weapons of Guru Hargobind, which
symbolies spiritual and temporal, power in balance. The name Khanda is taken from the double edged
sword, Khanda that was used by Guru Gobind Singh when preparing Amrit for the Panj Piare.

Before you enter the Gurdwara there are various notices, reminding you not to take tobacco, meat
or alcohol in the Gurdwara with you. It is also forbidden to go into the Gurdwara if you are under the
influence of alcohol or just smoked. There will also be notices reminding you to switch mobile phones
off. Before you enter the Diwan hall or the Langar hall, there are severally important features you will
see, these are the shoe rack, as you must take your shoes off before entering any parts of the Gurdwara.
Both men and women have to cover their heads as a sign of respect for the Guru Granth Sahib, there is
usually a basket of headscarves for visitors to use. Anyone that visits the Gurdwara must wash there
hands and face to make sure that they are clean, also to make sure they are pure in front of the Guru
Granth Sahib. All these actions are done because they are signs of respect towards the Guru Granth
Sahib.

The Diwan hall, which is also known as the prayer hall is the main feature of the Gurdwara and is
were the Guru Granth Sahib is present. The Guru Granth Sahib is the 11th Guru, The Guru Granth Sahib is
a collection of 1430 pages, with 3384 hymns

The Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a raised platform which is called a Takht and is covered by a
canopy called Chanani or Palki. The Guru Granth Sahib is kept wrapped in Rumalas, which are holy
cloths.

In front of the Guru Granth Sahib is money boxes were Sikhs can make donations, they can also make
donations of food. After bowing in front of the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhs make sure they don’t turn there
backs or point there feet towards the Guru, as it shows great disrespect.
 It is a Sikh tradition that Karah Parshad is given out. It is usually distributed just outside the Diwan
hall by a woman who makes it there. Karah Parshad is made with equal parts wheat, flour, sugar, and
butter. The Karah Parshad is given out equally without discrimination or favor as a sign of equality.

The Langar hall is usually located next to or near the Diwan hall. Langar is the term used in Sikh
religion for free food that is served in a Gurdwara. Only vegetarian meals are served and all the meals
are prepared and cooked by volunteer members of the congregation which are called Seva.

The Langar meal is eaten whilst sitting cross-legged on the floor like the Diwan hall, unlike the Diwan hall
men and women are free to sit together, as you do not have to concentrate on God so much. You can
have as many meals as you like but it is exceptionally disrespectful to leave any food on your plate.
Sharing food is important as the Gurus taught Sikhs that they should share their possessions with
others.

Architectural Features

The Dome:

Almost all important Sikh shrines have an imposing visual effect because of the types and forms of the
domes. The dome of Golden Temple, Amritsar is unique not only in view of its imposing size and
dignified grandeur but also due to interesting formation of its domical superstructure. The dome
represents the synthesis of all important characteristics of the shape and details of ornamentation
noticed in the domes of other shrines

The Kiosk:

The Sikh shrines have number of subsidery structres in the form of Kiosks. The most common type of a
kiosk is a square miniature room crowned by a domical member. The room normally has the walls
disposed into number of entrances , often with arched or foliated upper portion. The maximum number
of entrances is however 3 on each side. The Golden Temple has kiosks of octagonal, rectangular and
square form. Varieties of kiosks can be se

The Balconied Windows

A very distinctive characteristic of Sikh Shrines is represented by the balconied windows. Several
varieties of windows could be noticed in Sikh monuments. Bay window at golden temple Window at N.
gateway Window detail(Baba Atal)

The Arches: Sikh shrines offer interesting varieties in respect of the types and forms of the arches. The
most common, perhaps the foremost popular, type of arch is represented by foliations or cusps. The
number of cusps is invariably found to be nine. Arches along Parikrama

The Pillars and Pilasters:

One of the major distinctive features of Sikh shrines seems to be the presence of pillars and pilasters.
The shafts are mostly plain, without any carving, except the vertical lines of accession. The capitals
consists of floral or foliage