The Gurdwara

Today you are going to learn : How Sikhs use the Gurdwara The symbolism behind some of the objects and actions performed in a Gurdwara.

Key words Langar – the kitchen and free food that is given inside a gurdwara. Gurdwara - it means the house of doors. Gurdwara Symbolise – represent something.

Think of a place that is very special to you. Working in pairs, Discuss how you show respect for that place? Do you scream and shout there? Do u keep silent? Do you run around? Do you sit down? Are you calm in that place or are you fidgety? You have a minute for this task…..

A Gurdwara – Place of worship A Gurdwara is the place where Sikhs come together for congregational worship.

House of Doors The literal meaning of the Punjabi word Gurdwara is the residence of the Guru, or the door that leads to the Guru. It has 4 entrances to show it is always open to all. A Gurdwara in Bedford

The Gurdwara is used for many different reasons: Meetings Worshipping God. Centre for learning for children and adults. To learn the Punjabi language. Celebration of important occasions – Weddings and births. Relaxation.

In a modern Gurdwara the Guru is not a person, but the book of Sikh scriptures called the Guru Granth Sahib. It is the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib that gives the Gurdwara its religious status, so any building containing the book is a Gurdwara.

Flying the flag Gurdwaras fly the Sikh flag outside. The flag is orange/yellow and has the Sikh logo in the middle.

The Four Doors 4 doors of a Gurdwara These doors SYMBOLISE that people from all four points of the compass are welcome. There's always a light on in a Gurdwara, to show that the Guru's Light is always visible and is accessible to everyone at any time

Write down 5 reasons that the Gurdwara is used for. Write down as many as you can yourself. Then working with the person next to you, share your ideas and write down whatever you did not have already.

Before going into a Gurdwara Remove your shoes and wash your feet if they are dirty. Cover your head. A person should not go in drunk, or carrying alcohol or tobacco. (A Sikh, of course, would not do either.)

On entering a Gurdwara Firstly, Sikhs bow to the Guru Granth Sahib, touching the floor with their forehead. This SYMBOLISES respect and submission to the truths contained in the book.

Secondly they place an offering of food or money in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. This is used to run the Gurdwara and the free food kitchen (langar). The offering is NOT charity, but a SHARING of God's gifts. If a person has no money or food to offer, they may offer flowers, or just some words of sincere thanks

Write down the answers ONLY in FULL sentences to the following questions: What does bowing down to the Guru Granth Sahib symbolise? What do the 4 doors of the Gurdwara symbolise?

When entering a Gurdwara, the main thing that stands out is the raised platform, on which the Guru Granth Sahib is placed to be read from during the prayer service. This platform called a ‘palki’, and it SYMBOLISES respect.

A person always stands next to the holy book or behind it, and waves a fan over it. This is called a ‘chauri’. The chauri SYMBOLISES authority.

Seating in a Gurdwara Everyone sits on the floor in a Gurdwara. This SYMBOLISES humility before the Guru Granth Sahib, and because it gives everyone a place of equal status to sit. Most people sit cross-legged. Cushions and seats are not allowed.

`1 WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER? What is a Gurdwara? What is the Palki and what does it symbolise? What is the chauri and what does it symbolise?

The Guru Granth Sahib is treated with greatest respect, and so when it is not used for prayers, Sikhs place it in a different room over night, where it is covered with special cloths. This room and the covers SYMBOLISE protection and safety. The next morning it will be taken again into the main prayer hall,

The free food kitchen, or Langar After every service Sikhs come to the Langar where a free vegetarian meal has been prepared for everybody. Sharing food is important as the Gurus taught that all Sikhs should share their possessions. All the work involved in preparing the food, serving it and clearing up afterwards is called 'seva' which means voluntary, selfless service.

Although Sikhs are not required to be vegetarian, only vegetarian food is served in the gurdwaras. This ensures that any visitor to the Gurdwara can eat in the Langar.

Questions Individual task: What do Sikhs do with the holy book at the end of the day? What does covering the holy book symbolise? Why does everyone sit on the floor in a Gurdwara? BBB (big brain bonus) Why do you think Sikhs show so much respect to the Guru Granth sahib?

Plenary Look at the following pictures. can you tell your neighbour what It is or what is going on, and Where possible what it symbolises?

What is this?

What is this? And what does it show?

What is this and what does it symbolise?

What is this and what does it symbolise?

What are these 2 people doing and what does it symbolise?

How are the people sitting and what does this symbolise?