The Harmandir Sahib, a Sikh gurdwara and spiritual centre at Amritsar, India.

A gurdwara (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ, gurduārā or , gurdwārā), meaning the Gateway to the Guru, is the place of worship for Sikhs,^[1] the followers of Sikhism. A gurdwara can be identified from a distance by tall flagpoles bearing the Nishan Sahib, the Sikh flag.

The most well-known gurdwara of the Sikhs is the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, Punjab, India.

History[link]

Nishan Sahib flags on poles at Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar.

The first gurdwara was built in Kartarpur, on the banks of Ravi River in the Punjab region by the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the year 1521. It now lies in the Narowal District of west Punjab (Pakistan). The worship centers were built as a place where Sikhs could gather to hear the Guru give spiritual discourse and sing religious hymns in the praise of Waheguru. As the Sikh population continued to grow, Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh guru, introduced the word 'gurdwara'.

The etymology of the term 'gurdwara' is from the words 'Gur (ਗੁਰ)' (a reference to the Sikh Gurus) and 'Dwara (ਦੁਆਰਾ)' (gateway in Gurmukhi), together meaning 'the gateway through which the Guru could be reached'.^[1] Thereafter, all Sikh places of worship came to be known as gurdwaras.

Some of the prominent Sikh shrines established by the Sikh Gurus are:

• Nankana Sahib, established in 1490s by first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji, Punjab, Pakistan.
• Sultanpur Lodhi, established in 1499 became the Sikh center during Guru Nanak Dev ji time Kapurthala District, Punjab (India).
• Kartarpur Sahib, established in 1521 by First Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev ji, near River Ravi, Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan.
• Khadur Sahib, established in 1539 by second Sikh Guru, Guru Angad Dev ji, near River Beas, Amritsar District, Punjab, India.
• Goindwal Sahib, established in 1552 by third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das ji, near River Beas, Amritsar District Punjab, India.
• Sri Amritsar, established in 1577 By fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das ji, District Amritsar, Punjab (India).
• Tarn Taran Sahib, established in 1590 by fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev ji, District Tarn Taran Sahib, Punjab (India).
• Kartarpur Sahib, established in 1594 by fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev ji, near river Beas, Jalandhar District, Punjab (India).
• Sri Hargobindpur, established by fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, near river Beas, Gurdaspur District, Punjab (India).
• Kiratpur Sahib, established in 1627 by sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind ji, near river Sutlej, Ropar District, Punjab, India.
• Anandpur Sahib, established in 1665 by ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur ji, near river Sutlej, Punjab, India.
• Paonta Sahib, established in 1685 by Tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, near river Yamuna, Himachal Pradesh India.

By the early 20th century, a number of Sikh gurdwaras in British India were under the control of the Udasi mahants (clergymen).^[2] The Gurdwara Reform Movement of the 1920s resulted in Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee taking control of these gurdwaras.^[3]

Description[link]

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^[1] for all visitors, irrespective 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.^[4] 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,^[1] 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.^[5]

Customs[link]

Gurudwara Paonta Sahib, view inside a typical gurdwara.

Many gurdwaras are designed to seat men on one side and women on the other, although designs vary, and the divided seating is far from mandatory. They do not generally sit together but on separate sides of the room, both at an equal distance from the Guru Granth Sahib, as a sign of equality. Worshippers are offered Karah Parshad (sweet flour and ghee-based food offered as prashad) in the worship hall, which is usually given into cupped hands by a sewadar (gurdwara volunteer).

In the langar room, food is cooked and served by the volunteers in the community. Only vegetarian food is served in the langar hall, to suit the visitors from different backgrounds so that no person may be offended. All people belonging to different faiths sit together to share a common meal, irrespective of any dietary restrictions. Langar is always served to the sangat (the congregation) sitting on the floor, as equality amongst all members of the community is a basic tenet of Sikhism. The main philosophy behind the Langar is two-fold : to provide training to engage in Seva and an opportunity to serve people from all walks of life and to help banish all distinctions between high and low or rich and poor.

Gurdwara architecture[link]

Unlike the places of worship in some other religious systems, gurdwara buildings do not have to conform to any set architectural design. The only established requirements are: the installation of the Guru Granth Sahib, under a canopy or in a canopied seat, usually on a platform higher than the specific floor on which the devotees sit, and a tall Sikh pennant flag atop the building.

A Sikh gurdwara in El Sobrante, California, U.S.A.

Lately, more and more gurdwaras have been having buildings imitating more or less the Harimandir Sahib pattern, a synthesis of Indo-Persian and Sikh architecture. Most of them have square halls, stand on a higher plinth, have entrances on all four sides, and have square or octagonal domed sanctums usually in the middle. During recent decades, to meet the requirements of larger gatherings, bigger and better ventilated assembly halls, with the sanctum at one end, have become accepted style. The location of the sanctum, more often than not, is such as to allow space for circumambulation. Sometimes, to augment the space, verandahs are built to skirt the hall. A popular model for the dome is the ribbed lotus, topped by an ornamental pinnacle. Arched copings, kiosks and solid domelets are used for exterior decorations.

Spiritual significance[link]

Meditating on the Guru Granth Sahib[link]

It is the duty of all Sikhs to engage in personal and communal meditation, Kirtan and the study of the holy Scriptures. Meditating and understanding the meaning of texts from the Guru Granth Sahib is important for the proper moral and spiritual development of a Sikh. One must study Gurmukhi script and be able to read Gurbani to understand the meaning of the text. A Sikh has to revert back to the Guru Granth Sahib for the all spiritual guidance in ones life.

[edit] Holy congregation (Sadh Sangat) and reflecting on Gurbani

It is believed that a Sikh is more easily and deeply engrossed by Gurbani when engaged in congregational gatherings. For this reason, it is necessary for a Sikh to visit gurdwara. On joining the holy congregation, Sikhs should take part and obtain the benefit from the combined study of the holy scriptures. No one is to be barred from entering a gurdwara regardless of their religious or regional background.

[edit] Voluntary service (Seva)

Seva is an important and prominent part of the Sikh religion. Dasvand forms a central part of Sikh belief (of Vand Chhako) and literally means donating ten percent of ones harvest, both financial and in the form of time and service such as seva to the gurdwara and anywhere where help is needed. All Sikhs therefore get involved in this communal service whenever an opportunity arises. This in its simple forms can be: sweeping and washing the floors of the gurdwara, serving water and food (Langar) to or fanning the congregation, offering provisions or preparing food and doing other 'house keeping' duties.

Communal life and other matters[link]

Sikhism offers strong support for a healthy communal life, and a Sikh must undertake to support all worthy projects which would benefit the larger community and promote Sikh principles. Importance is given to Inter-faith dialogue, support for the poor and weak; better community understanding and co-operation.

Sikh ceremonies within the gurdwara[link]

• Baby Naming Ceremony (Naam Karan)
• Baptism Ceremony (Amrit Sanchar)
• Marriage Ceremony (Anand Karaj)
• Funeral Ceremony (Antim Sanskar)
• Some other Rites and Conventions also take place within a gurdwara.

Learning and other facilities[link]

Many gurdwaras also have other facilities for Sikhs to learn more about their religion, such as libraries, complexes for courses in Gurmukhi (Sikh script), Sikhism and Sikh scriptures, meeting rooms, and room-and-board accommodation for those who need it. Gurdwaras are open to all people of all religions and are generally open all hours of a day. Some gurdwaras also provide temporary accommodations (serais) for visitors or devotees. The gurdwara also serves as a community centre and a guest house for travellers, occasionally a clinic, and a base for local charitable activities. Apart from morning and evening services, the gurdwaras hold special congregations to mark important anniversaries on the Sikh calendar. They become scenes of much éclat and festivity during celebrations in honour of the birth anniversaries of the Gurus and Vaisakhi.

See also[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gurudwaras

• List of gurdwaras
• Gurdwaras in India
• Sikhism
• Guru Granth Sahib
• List of Sikh festivals

References[link]

Photo gallery[link]

• 

  Gurdwara-Cairns, Queensland, Australia

• 

  Sikh gurdwara, Wakefield Road, United Kingdom

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  Guru Nanak Gurdwara, United Kingdom

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  Sikh Temple, Letchworth, United Kingdom

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  Sikh Temple, Icknield Way, Hitchin, United Kingdom

• Stockton CA Sikh Temple Est 1912.jpg

  Gurdwara in Stockton, California, U.S.

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  Ramgarhia Sabha Gurdwara in Southall, London, United Kingdom

• 

  Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi, India

• Nanaksar.jpg

  Gurdwara Nanaksar, Jagraon, Ludhiana, India

• 

  Gurdwara at San Jose, California, U.S.

• 

  Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, Bangkok, Thailand

• 

  Sikh Temple, Chapeltown Road, Leeds, United Kingdom

• 

  Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick, United Kingdom

• 

  Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, a Sikh Temple in Southall, London, United Kingdom

• 

  Sikh temple located in El Sobrante, California, U.S.

• 

  Gurdwara Chatti Patshahi, Rainwari, Srinagar, Kashmir, India

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  A gurudwara in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

• 

  Gurdwara at Queens Park, Bedford, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

• 

  A Gurudwara in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

• 

  A gurudwara near the birthplace of Guru Nanak, Nankana Sahib, Pakistan

Kevin Bridges (born 13 November 1986) is a Scottish stand-up comedian.

Career[link]

Stand-up[link]

Bridges began performing on the small stage when he left school shortly after his 17th birthday, doing stand-up comedy gigs at The Stand Comedy Club in Glasgow and then throughout the UK.Bridges said he was inspired to try stand up after reading Frank Skinner's autobiography. At 18 he reached the final of Channel 5's So You Think You're Funny competition at the Edinburgh Fringe.^[2] He performed at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Bridges appeared on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow on the BBC, where he performed at the Edinburgh Playhouse.^[3][4]

In 2010, he took part in Channel 4's Comedy Gala, a benefit show held in aid of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, filmed live at the O2 Arena in London.^[5]

His debut DVD, titled Kevin Bridges: The Story So Far... Live in Glasgow, was released on 22 November 2010.^[6]

Television[link]

Bridges' television career started on Comedy Central UK with a set on The World Stands Up which aired in April 2008. Shortly afterwards, he appeared on Comedy Store (also on Comedy Central). His performances on these shows and on the comedy circuit and at festivals led to his being given his first mainstream TV break on BBC One's Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow (recorded in April 2009 and broadcast on 5 June). Bridges was critically commended for his performance. Over 5 million viewers saw his debut and his entire 25-night run at the Edinburgh festival sold out in hours, with extra shows being subsequently added and also selling out. Bridges went on to be nominated for the 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Awards (formerly Perrier) in the best newcomer category. His TV work since then has included BBC One's Live At the Apollo and also a "Best of British Special" (Episode 7 of the 8th series) of 8 out of 10 Cats, in July 2009. He also appeared in BBC 2 Scotland's Gary: Tank Commander (episode 6). Bridges appeared in Rab C Nesbitt in the first episode of the new series in 2010, on Mock the Week in February 2010, in an episode of season 4 of Would I Lie To You?, and on the Jonathan Ross show on BBC One on 28 May 2010. He is a regular performer on Channel 4's Stand Up for the Week, which began in June 2010.^[7] His six-part BBC One series, Kevin Bridges: What's the Story?, began on 8 February 2012.

Radio[link]

Bridges took part in the BBC 5 Live show Fighting Talk on 6 March 2010, where he came second behind Greg Brady, becoming the youngest person ever to appear on the show at the time (a record since broken by fellow comedian Jack Whitehall). He was also a contestant on BBC Radio 4's The Unbelievable Truth, broadcast in November 2010.

Personal life[link]

Kevin is the son of Andy and Patricia Bridges and has a brother, John, who is ten years older.^[8] He grew up in Clydebank and attended St Mary's Primary and St Columba's High.^[8][9] He left school when he was 16.^[10] He later studied social sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University.^[11][12]

During the "Any Other Business" round of the 13 August 2011 episode of Fighting Talk, Bridges revealed that he had moved out of his parents' home in Glasgow a year earlier and into his own flat.

Stand-up DVDs[link]

• The Story So Far...Live in Glasgow (22 November 2010)
• The Story Continues... (12 November 2012)