The Gurdwara

1. The Gurdwara LI: To know that the Gurdwara is a place of worship for Sikhs To know the features of a Gurdwara

2. A Gurdwara – Place of worship A Gurdwara is the place where Sikhs come together to worship.

3. The Flagpole • The Sikh flag is flown outside the Gurdwara. • It is called the Nishan Sahib • The flag is orange/yellow and has the Sikh emblem in the middle.

4. House of Doors • The word Gurdwara means Guru’s door. • Sikhs believe that they go through the door to meet God. • There are four entrance doors – north, south, east and west.

5. Everyone is welcome Anyone, of any faith can visit a Gurdwara and will be made welcome. Before going into a Gurdwara Remove your shoes and wash your feet if they are dirty. Cover your head (young children needn't bother). Washing of feet at the entrance to the Gurdwara

6. In the Gurdwara the Guru is not a person, but the Sikh’s holy book. It is called the Guru Granth Sahib. It is treated with the same respect and care that a human Guru or honoured guest would be given.

7. The Night Room • The Guru Granth Sahib is kept in a room of its own during the night and carried in procession to the main hall at the start of the day's worship.

8. The Prayer Hall • The Guru Granth Sahib is carried into the prayer hall and placed on a raised platform under a canopy (Palki). • It is covered with an expensive cloth when not being read.

9. During a service a person with a whisk or fan (Chauri) waves it over the Guru Granth Sahib. In India, Hindu gods are often shown being fanned with a chauri. It is seen to be a sign of respect.

10. On entering a Gurdwara • Sikhs will bow to the Guru Granth Sahib as the first thing they do, touching the floor with their forehead. • People also 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).

11. Seating in a Gurdwara • Everyone sits on the floor in a Gurdwara. Everyone is equal. Most people sit cross-legged. Cushions and seats are not allowed. • Men sit on one side and women on the other.

12. The free food kitchen, or Langar • Every Gurdwara has a Langar attached to it where food is served free. • The food served in the Langar must be simple. • The meal may include chapati, dal (pulses), vegetables and rice pudding. • The food is always vegetarian. • The area must include a kitchen and eating area.

13. Now watch this short video about visiting a Gurdwara. http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/5944.html

14. QUIZ TIME … In your table groups, match the pictures with the correct labels.

15. Other rooms • Each Gurwara may have a selection of other service rooms for the worshipers. • Shoe room, toilets, classroom and possibly a spare room for guests to stay overnight.

16. A ground floor plan of a Gurdwara

17. YOUR CHALLENGE You and your team are going to design a new Gurdwara. Team Leader: helps eveyone out, ensure team on time. Help where needed, remember to label the designs. Designers for the ground floor layout: design the layout of the Gurdwara, place the doors, decide which rooms go where and decide on the the colour scheme for the Gurdwara. Show where the flagpole will go outside and put some car parking outside. Label it all. Palki Designer: design the platform and canopy for the Guru Granth Sahib. Label it. Cloth Designer: design the cloth that the Guru Granth Sahib is wrapped in and create it using coloured pencils. If you finish your task before time is up help the other people in your group.