550 Celebration of the birth of Dhan Dhan Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Tuesday 12th November 2019
Monday, 16th December 2019
550 Celebration of the birth of Dhan Dhan Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Tuesday 12th November 2019
My friend Jeet and her husband, Hari, invited me to accompany them to the celebration of 550th Birth Anniversary of Dhan Dhan Sahib Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji held at the Ian Goodchlld Centre Camberley.
I wore a three-quarter length turquoise patterned top, black leggings and a short black skirt and Icarried a matching scarf. Jeet wore a delicately patterned pink Kamees over matching Salwar. ( A top and leggings. ) She covered her hair with a long, matching scarf-like veil called a duputta. Her nails were painted in a similar colour. Her jewellery was of complimentary colours. Hari wore a flat white turban. He has a beard and a moustache. Later their son joined us dressed similarly to his father.
On entering the building we removed our shoes and placed them outside hall. The women covered their hair with their Duputta.
Each person walked through the middle of the hall in front of a Holy book mounted on a pink throne and under a large canopy. They stood, joined their hands and directed their gaze at the Sacred Book. They then put a coin in a basket, bowed their heads and bent right down so that their head touched the floor. They then turned, found a space and seated themselves on the floor. Most men went to the left while women sat on the right. Older people sat on chairs around the hall. People came and went freely. Children roamed. Younger boys wore a head scarf called pakka while the girls covered their heads with scarves or veils. The women were clothed in a variety of colourful kamas and salwar (tops and leggings.)
The prayers were conducted in the punjabi language. Music was played. An attendant reverently waved Chaur Sahib, a ceremonial whisk, to fan the Guru Granth Sahib scriptures contained in the Holy Book, while prayers, that sounded like christian psalms, were chanted. A leader spoke/prayed. Two young boys explained the significance of the celebrations and intoned prayers. At a point indicated, everyone stood and recited a prayer and responses together. They also sang. We were then handed a serviette in preparation to be given a ball of food rolled into each hand. The Sikh description of this food is a sweet made of wheat, butter and sugar. The ball of food was held high into each persons hand before being gently consumed.
Michael Gove, Conservative member of Parliament, seated in front and wearing a make-shift head covering, was invited to address the gathering. He came in praise to thank the Sikh community for their valuable contribution to the life of the area. I wondered if he electioneering.
A leader of the Camberley Sikh community informed everybody that the cost of hiring the hall had increased yet again this year The leader announced that unfortunately Michael Gove and the lady who accompanied him had another appointment and would have to depart our company.
Worship was concluded by the carrying aloft of the Holy Book through the hall on a cushion placed on the head of one of the leaders of the ceremonies, as we stood and sang and incantations
Then the floor coverings were removed and tables and chairs put in place. Prepared food was set out and we formed queues to collect compartmentalised dishes and serviettes. The food was very tasty, a little spicy but served with yogurt, sliced tomatoes and onions. The desert was cut from a large, light sponge cake with white cream and decorated in pink and green. There was also a milky rice pudding provided too. Fruit drinks and water was also available. We sat and chatted seated at tables around the room.
As far as I could see, I was the only white guest. None-the-less , I discovered that I was not the only non-Sikh. That is because ceremonies like these are opened to anyone who chooses to attend. I felt welcomed by all.
When Jeet and Hari returned me home I was keen to research the Sikh religion. So far I have discovered the following information:
| Who is the founder of Sikhism?
The Sikh faith was founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539) and shaped by his nine successors in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in South Asia. |
Langar is food is cooked by the members of the community and served by members of the community, to all people at the Gurdwara. The idea is to demonstrate equality of all people, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, race or sex.
Gurdwara
A Gurdwara is the place where Sikhs come together for congregational worship.
The first Gurdwara in the world was built by Guru Nanak in 1521-2 at Kartarpur. There are about 200 Gurdwaras in Britain.
The literal meaning of the Punjabi word Gurdwara is ‘the residence of the Guru’, or ‘the door that leads to the Guru’.
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.
Although a Gurdwara may be called the residence of the Guru (meaning the residence of God), Sikhs believe that God is present everywhere.
Before the time of Guru Arjan Dev, the place of Sikh religious activities was known as a Dharamsala, which means place of faith.
The purpose of a Gurdwara
- It’s a place to learn spiritual wisdom
- It’s a place for religious ceremonies
- It’s a place where children learn the Sikh faith, ethics, customs, traditions and texts
- A Gurdwara is also a community centre, and offers food, shelter, and companionship to those who need it.
Gurdwaras are managed by a committee of their community.
Inside the Gurdwara
There are no idols, statues, or religious pictures in a Gurdwara, because Sikhs worship only God, and they regard God as having no physical form. Nor are there candles, incense, or bells, or any other ritualistic devices.
The focus of attention, and the only object of reverence in the main hall (or Darbar Sahib) is the book of Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, which is treated with the respect that would be given to a human Guru.
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.
The book is placed on a raised platform (Takht or Manji Sahib, meaning “throne”) under a canopy (Chanani or Palki), and covered with an expensive cloth when not being read.
During a service a person with a whisk or fan called a Chaur waves it over the Guru Granth Sahib.
Although Sikhs show reverence to the Guru Granth Sahib, their reverence is to its spiritual content (shabad) not the book itself. The book is just the visible manifestation of the shabad.
The four doors
There are four doors into a Gurdwara, known as the Door of Peace, the Door of Livelihood, the Door of Learning and the Door of Grace.
These doors are a symbol that people from all four points of the compass are welcome, and that members of all four castes are equally 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.
The free food kitchen, or Langar
Every Gurdwara has a Langar attached to it where food is served to anyone without charge. The term Langar is also used for the communal meal served at the Gurdwaras.
The food served in the Langar must be simple, so as to prevent wealthy congregations turning it into a feast that shows off their superiority.
Although Sikhs are not required to be vegetarian, only vegetarian food is served in the Gurdwaras. This ensures that any visitor to the Gurdwara, whatever the dietary restrictions of their faith, can eat in the Langar.
The meal may include chapati, dal (pulses), vegetables and rice pudding. Fish and eggs are counted as meat and excluded.
Flying the flag
Gurdwaras fly the Sikh flag outside. The flag is orange/yellow and has the Sikh emblem in the middle.
Visiting a Gurdwara
In India many Sikhs visit a Gurdwara before work. In Britain 39% of Sikhs go once a week, and while Sikhs do not regard any particular day of the week as a holy day, they usually go to a Gurdwara on Sundays as that fits the UK pattern of work.
Most Sikhs go to the Gurdwara on Gurpurbs, the festivals honouring the Gurus.
Anyone, of any faith, can visit a Gurdwara and will be made welcome.
Before going into a Gurdwara
All visitors to the Gurdwara should remove remove their shoes and cover their heads before entering the main hall. It is forbidden to smoke or take tobacco on to the premises and visitors cannot enter the Gurdwara while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
On entering a Gurdwara
Sikhs will bow to the Guru Granth Sahib as the first thing they do, touching the floor with their forehead. This not only shows their respect but also indicates that they submit themselves to the truths contained in the book.
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). 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.
After bowing to the Guru Granth Sahib a Sikh will greet the congregation in a low, quiet voice with the words:
Waheguru ii ka Khalsa, sri Waheguru ji ki fateh.
This means
The Khalsa owes allegiance to God, sovereignty belongs to God alone.
Non-Sikh visitors should also bow and make an offering.
Seating in a Gurdwara
Everyone sits on the floor in a Gurdwara. This is to be humble 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.
No-one should sit with their feet pointing at the Guru Granth Sahib. Anyone who walks round the Guru Granth Sahib or the Gurdwara must do so in a clockwise direction.
Men and women generally sit on separate sides of the hall.
Sacred food in the Gurdwara
Towards the end of a service karah prasad, a sweet vegetarian food that has been blessed, will be served. This should be taken and received in cupped hands as a gift of God.
A typical Gurdwara service
Sikhs do not have ordained priests and any Sikh can lead the prayers and recite the scriptures to the congregation.
Each Gurdwara has a Granthi who organises the daily services and reads from the Guru Granth Sahib. A Granthi is not a priest but is the reader/custodian of the Adi Granth. A Granthi must be fluent in reading Gurmukhi and must be properly trained in all aspects of looking after the Guru Granth Sahib. They are expected to be an initiated member of the Sikh Khalsa who lives a life that exemplifies the ideals of the Khalsa.
Sikhs don’t have a general official liturgy that must be used in a Gurdwara, although there are rules for particular ceremonies.
Kirtan
The morning service begins with the singing of Asa Di Var, a hymn written by Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism.
Other hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib are then sung, accompanied by instruments. This hymn-singing is called Kirtan and is an essential part of Sikh worship.
A sermon or talk, usually based on a theme from Sikh history, comes next. This is followed by the singing of Anand Sahib, a hymn written by Guru Amar Das, the Third Guru.
The congregation then stands with eyes closed facing the Guru Granth Sahib for prayer (Ardas). During the prayer the word Waheguru (Punjabi for ‘praise to the Guru’) is often repeated.
Hukam
After the prayer, the Guru Granth Sahib is opened at a random page and the hymn found at the top of the left-hand page (Vak or Hukam) is read. The text is considered to be a relevant lesson for the day.
The ceremonial food
After the service, food is offered to the congregation. This consists of Parshad and a more substantial meal in the Langar. Parshad is a sweet made from equal quantities of wheat flour, sugar, and clarified butter.
The first five portions are given to Khalsa members in memory of the Panj Pyares (the first five members of the Khalsa). After that parshad is served to everyone without distinctions of rank or caste.
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The Sikh holy book – the Guru Granth Sahib – is respected as if it were one of the Gurus themselves. For this reason, it is never allowed to touch the ground – nor is any item containing excerpts of scripture. |
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Once they have taken Amrit, Sikh men take the name Singh – or Lion. They carry the five Ks: Kesh – uncut hair, Kara – a steel bracelet, Kanga – a wooden comb, Kaccha – a cotton undergarment, and Kirpan – a ceremonial sword.
| Sikhs are not permitted to cut or dye their hair as this is changing the human image created by God. Here, Gurdev Kaur’s husband, Avtar Singh, has tied his beard under his chin. |
The Sikh religion was founded in the Punjab region of India but has now spread throughout the world with approximately 500,000 followers in Britain. Sikhs believe in one God.
| Children are born into the Sikh faith but choose whether to take Amrit – the ceremony of commitment to Sikhism – later in their lives. |
| Sikh Gurdwara – or temples – contain free kitchens for people of all faiths. Only vegetarian food is served but Sikhs are not bound to be meat free, though Kosher or Halal meat is forbidden because of the animals’ slow manner of death. |
| The Sikh gurus taught that all people are equal regardless of race, caste or gender. Any man or woman who has taken Amrit is able to conduct scripture readings and other services. |
Darbar Sahib: The Golden Temple, Amritsar
Darbar Sahib (The Royal Court of the Divine) also known as the Golden Temple is situated in the city of Amritsar in Punjab. Darbar Sahib is a living symbol of the spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs. It is a source of inspiration for all Sikhs. The temple with its glistening gold covered exterior stands in the middle of a square tank with each side about 150m with an 18m path on all four sides. A 60m causeway traverses the pool to reach the Temple itself which is 12m square and rests on a 20m square platform in the middle of The Pool of Nectar. The Darbar Sahib has entrances and doors on all four sides. Guru Arjun exclaimed; “My faith is for the people of all castes and all creeds from whichever direction they come and to whichever direction they bow.”
 Guru Nanak
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Guru Har Rai
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Gurdwaras