gurdwara

Gurdwara is a Sikh place of worship and a community center where Sikhs gather for prayer, hymn singing, reading the Guru Granth Sahib, and community service. The name derives from Punjabi gur or guru, meaning teacher or guide, and dwār, door or gateway, so the term is often translated as the "door to the Guru" or "gateway to the Guru".

Inside a gurdwara, the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal living guru according to Sikh belief, is placed on an elevated platform in the sanctum and treated with great reverence. The interior often includes a langar hall where free meals are served to all visitors, regardless of faith or background.

Daily worship commonly features kirtan (musical rendition of hymns) and readings from the scripture, with services sometimes concluding in a hukam, a guidance chosen by open scripture. Special occasions may include Akhand Path readings and processions. Seva, or selfless service, is encouraged through tasks such as kitchen work, cleaning, and helping visitors.

Access to a gurdwara is open to all, and visitors are expected to show respect for the sanctity of the space. Common etiquette includes removing shoes, covering the head, washing hands, and refraining from smoking or intoxicants. Modest dress and silence during worship are generally observed.

While Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple) in Amritsar is the holiest gurdwara, thousands of gurdwaras operate worldwide, varying in size from small neighborhood centers to large temples. Most are run by lay committees and guided by religious scholars and granthis who oversee the reading of the scripture and the conduct of services.