Gurdwaras

Gurdwaras are places of worship and community gathering for Sikhs. The term gurdwara translates as "gateway to the Guru" and they function as centers for prayer, learning, and service. The central feature of every gurdwara is the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scriptures, which is installed in the sanctum and treated as the eternal living guru.

Rituals include daily recitation and singing of hymns (kirtan), and devotional readings from the Guru Granth Sahib. A key practice is langar, the free community kitchen offering meals to all visitors, regardless of religion or background, prepared and served by volunteers (seva).

Most gurdwaras have a main prayer hall (darbar) centered on a sanctum where the scripture rests. They display the Nishan Sahib, a saffron-colored flag, and include a langar hall to accommodate large numbers of worshippers. The Guru Granth Sahib is treated with reverence and care, and visitors are expected to follow customary etiquette such as removing shoes and covering the head.

Gurdwaras began in the late 15th century with the Sikh faith, and the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar is the holiest gurdwara. The community marks religious festivals (gurpurabs) and honors the lives of the Gurus. There are five Takhts, temporal seats of authority in different cities that guide spiritual and administrative matters.

Beyond worship, gurdwaras serve as educational and social centers, offering language classes, youth programs, charitable aid, and disaster relief. They are open to all visitors, with etiquette such as covering the head, removing shoes, and dressing modestly.