Instructions

Read through the PowerPoints making notes.

After that, you can watch the one or both of the

video clips I have put in the resources section.

When you have done that, create a leaflet or poster

about the Gurdwara to show me what you have
learned.
•I can name and describe the significance of special objects found within
Sikh gurdwaras.

•I can explain why the gurdwara is an important place for many people by
describing what takes place there.

•I can list rules for how to behave in a Sikh gurdwara.

These are two of the gurdwaras
in Southampton.
The does the word Gurdwara mean?

“Doorway to
the Guru”
A gurdwara is a place people can go to worship
God, to learn and be part of a community.
How can you recognise a Gurdwara?
 Nishan Sahib
• Outside every Gurdwara stands a
Nishan Sahib.

• It is the holy flag which can be seen

either near the entrance or on the
top of every Gurdwara .

• Great respect is shown to the flag

as it has the symbol of Sikhism
representing their beliefs in God.

• It also is a welcome banner for

visitors.

• The flagpole is covered in orange

material which is changed at special
occasions and every year in April at
the festival of Vaisakhi.
Khanda – you will see this symbol in
a gurdwara

The double edged

sword in the
middle stands for
Truth – the belief
in one God. The circle is a
called a chakkar –
it stands for the
belief that God is
eternal.

The two swords remind Sikhs that they must put as

much effort into their relationship with God, as they
do in other parts of their lives.
Many Sikhs visit a Gurdwara for worship. The Gurdwara is also a place to
learn more about Sikhism. The Gurdwara is a community centre too,
offering food, shelter and company for those who need it.

Photo courtesy of jasleen_kaur (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution
There are four doors into a Gurdwara, known as the Door of
Peace, the Door of Grace, the Door of Livelihood and the Door
of Learning.

These doors are a symbol to everyone that people from all four
points of the compass are welcome to enter.

Photo courtesy of karamsingh (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution
 When entering a
Gurdwara, everyone
must remove their
shoes and put them in
the shoe rack

Men and women must also

cover their heads

It is not allowed to bring

cigarettes or alcohol into
the gurdwara.

Why do you think this is important?

 The main room of the Gurdwara
Prayer Hall or Divan Hall
This is a prayer
hall during the
Sunday morning
service.
People can come to
pray at any time
but there are
services for
everybody on
Sundays

Everyone sits on the carpeted floor

Men and women sit separately

When Sikhs go into the Divan Hall they will
• walk to the front of the Divan Hall and bow in
front of the Guru Granth Sahib

• make a donation of food or money and place it

in front of the Guru Granth Sahib or in the
money box

• They will then sit down, taking care not to

turn their back on or point their feet towards
the Guru as it is disrespectful.
 At the front of the hall is the palki, it is the main
structure where the Guru Granth Sahib is placed.

The takhat or throne

is where the Guru
Granth Sahib is
placed and read from.

The offering box where

Sikhs leave gifts of
money or food.
 During the services, the Guru Granth Sahib is read by the Granthi. He is
holding a chauri. This is a whisk made from the hair of a white horse. It
is a traditional symbol of authority and waved over the holy book to
show how important it is in the life of Sikhs.

Granthi
Guru Granth
Sahib
This is a special room in the
gurdwara. It is the bedroom
for the Guru Granth Sahib.

In the evening the Guru

Granth Sahib is wrapped in
clean cloth and respectfully
carried on top of someone’s
head to the bedroom.

In the morning it is brought back

into the prayer hall.
 The Langar is a
kitchen where free
food and drink is
given out after the
service.

The people who run the

Langar volunteer to do so.
It is considered an honour
to serve others.
 Classrooms
• The gurdwara is also a
place of learning.
• There are classrooms
where children and
adults can learn the
language of Punjabi
and to read the Guru
Granth Sahib. This
means they can take
part fully in worship.
• People can also learn
about the history and
culture of being a
Sikh.
 Music and Martial Arts!
• There are music
lessons where people
can learn to play the
harmonium and tabla.
• Some gurdwaras,
also have space to
teach martial arts.
People also visit the Gurdwara during special festivals to celebrate Gurus
such as Guru Nanak because he started the Sikh faith.

Sikhs don’t have priests so any Sikh can lead the prayers and read from the
Guru Granth Sahib.

Photo courtesy of jasleen_kaur (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution
Sikhs celebrate the birth of a child through a naming ceremony called Naam
Karan . This is a special ceremony that happens at the Gurdwara around two
weeks after the birth of the child.
Engagement ceremonies can take place at the gurdwara and thanks is given
for bringing the man and the woman together.

The wedding ceremony takes place in front of the Guru Granth Sahib and at
the end of the service, everyone eats in the langar.
Photo courtesy of Jon Evans (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence - attribution