How the Guru Granth Sahib is shown respect

The Guru Granth Sabib is housed in a Gurdwara – the Sikh place for worship Most Sikhs do NOT have a GGS in their homes as it requires care and attention everyday. Morning and evening must be recited from it everyday too Most people live busy lives, work fulltime and do not have the dedicated time space to keep a GGS in their home. It could be argued that if a GGS is present in the home then the home is a effectively a Gurdwara and therefore meat and alcohol should not be consumed on the premises – which is very difficult for non-baptised Sikh families to adhere to.

The word ‘Gurdwara Literally means Guru’s house or door

Upon entering … When Sikhs enter the Gurdwara they remove their shoes, cover their heads and go to the Diwan hall (where the Guru Granth Sahib is present). The bow down on their knees and touch the floor with their forehead This is called MATHA TEK.

Next … An offering of money or flowers or even food is made to the Guru Granth Sahib. After the Matha Tek one sits down making sure their feet do not point towards the GGS (just as you sit in assembly crossed legged!) Money is usually placed in a metal box called a GOLAK. It can be any some you wish (1p to £100s)

The worshipper sits on the floor And listens to the readings/hymns. At a certain point, and sometimes immediately upon arrival Karah Parshad is offered (this is a soft sweet pudding made from semolina) as a welcome to the Gurdwara and the Guru

So far respect has been shown to the Guru by .. Being quiet on entering the Gurdwara Covering your head Taking off your shoes Matha Tek Not pointing your feet towards the GGS Contribution in the Golak Listening the the hymn, recitations from the GGS Taking part in recitations when appropriate Receiving the Karah Prashad

Why? For each aspect of the visible display of respect – answer the questions:- WHY is it undertaken? WHAT does it show? E.g “You take your shoes off to visit the Guru because shoes can be very dirty and the Guru’s house should be kept clean as it is a sacred space housing the word of the Guru’s and essentially Waheguru; removing shoes is one way of showing that you respect that space and the need to keep it clean for all visitors Sikh and non-Sikh alike”.

Copy the THRONE into your books

PARTS OF THE THRONE Palki is where the Guru (GGS) resides. Sikhs regard the holy scriptures as their living Guru. The Guru Granth Sahib is placed on the Manji Sahib or takht - a raised platform covered in rich cloth to show its importance. The Guru Granth Sahib is covered by a piece of beautiful material called a Romalla (Rumalla) and flowers are placed round it. Romalla is a Punjabi term for a square or rectangular piece of silk or other cloth material used to cover the Guru Granth Sahib (some Romalla’s have separate side squares to place on the Manji too) when it is not being read. Romallas are often brought as gifts when people attend the services at the Gurdwara. Around the top of the canopy may be engraved the word 'Waheguru' which means 'Wonderful Lord/Almighty Guru'. A Chauri is waved to denote importance of the Guru Granth Sahib (as was waved over kings/rulers in the past)

Question How and why do Sikhs show respect to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. (8 marks) RESEARCH TASK Find out what a ROMALLA is, what does it symbolise Find out what a CHAURI IS, why is it used, what does it symbolise