The Gurdwara LO: To describe the Sikh place of worship. L6 – Analyse the treatment of the Guru Granth Sahib L5- Explain the importance of Langar L4 – Describe the Gurdwara L3 – Identify Key Sikh objects

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

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

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

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 Four Doors 4 doors of a Gurdwara 4 doors of a Gurdwara These doors SYMBOLISE that people from all four points of the compass are welcome. 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 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

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

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.

Task: Look at the puzzles below. What are they trying to teach about the Gurdwara? x4 ABCDABCD A is representing… B is representing… C is representing… D is representing…

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

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. 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.

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 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 Secondly they place an offering of food or money in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. Secondly they place an offering of food or money in front of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Imagine there is a school trip to the Gurdwara. Name 5 steps that a person visiting should do. You can use some of the key words below to help you. shoeshead bowofferings alcoholmoney tobacco Guru Granth Sahib 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

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. 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.

NameActionSymbol ChauriSitting on the floor to show equalityAuthority PalkiWaving a fan over the Guru Granth SahibRespect FloorRaised platform on which the Guru Granth Sahib is kept Humility Symbolism. Match the action to the symbolism

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.

Complete these acrostics to describe langar and seva LSAENVGAARLSAENVGAAR Words you could include: SikhVoluntaryAnybodyVegetarian ShareGuruSelflessGurdwara

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?

And what does it show?

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?