Basic Features Of Gurdwara

The basic features that identifies a Gurdwara are:

* The Guru - Symbolises Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
* Nishan - Nishan Sahib is a triangular orange flag with a Khalsa emblem in the middle. It expresses the faith of Sikhs in the True Lord or Guru Granth Sahib.
* Pangat - Means Free community kitchen. It is part of a building complex where meals are served, free. As a part of the tradition, the devotees are expected to sit on the floor, to have food 'langar'
* Sangat is a holy congregation. Sangat is the purest form of Khalsa. As per Sikh faith, this Khalsa congregation also represents the combination of ONE (True eternal God). Gurbani followers address the holy congregation (sangat) as " Congregation endowed with the power of the Guru"
* Golak - Refers to a systematic financial system in Gurdwara. Thus Golak in the Gurdwara is important and the money accumulated is then used by the Gurdwara management team, on behalf of Guru Granth Sahib ji to manage the accounts, expenditures, donations, gifts, etc.

In addition,

* Rest Room for the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - A room where the Satguru rests overnight. This room is also called "Sach Khand".
* Various utility rooms, wash-rooms, kitchen, etc. are also provided for the comfort of the Sangat (people nwho visit the Gurdwara). Some of the larger Sikh temples may also have rooms for the devotees to stay overnight with bathroom facilities.

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Historic Gurdwaras

'Historic Gurdwaras' in India are those, which have been built to honour any event that occurred during the time our ten Gurus took birth on Earth. As for a Sikh, every thing is achieved by
means or by the grace of the Guru. The presence of the Sikh Scripture, called 'Guru Granth Sahib ji' also referred to as Satguru , is an essential feature of a gurdwara. The other main component is the holy congregation (assemblage of people) called the Sadh Sangat present within the Gurdwara, in humble obeying the principles laid down by the Sikh Gurus.

The Sikhs engage themselves in prayer (Simran) and also devote their precious time in providing voluntary service called 'Sewa' either in the form of money or any physical activity.
'Langar' refers to where all the sangat sit together to have free meals served to anyone who visits
this Sikh institution. All these activities or facilities are generally organised by and managed
on a voluntary basis by volunteers called Sewadars.

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Gurdwara

A Gurdwara is a place of worship for the sikhs. If we split the word 'Gurdwara' : 'Gur' means Guru and 'Duwara' symbolizes door of the house. Also known as "the doorway to the guru", Gurdwara is a place of Sikhs worship. And also a place where travellers and pilgrims may rest and eat. Before entering the premises of the main hall of the gurdwara where Guru Granth Sahib Ji resides and all the kirtan takes place, the devotees have to wash their hands, cover their head and must remove their shoes. They sit cross-legged on the floor and listen to the Kirtan, take Gods name and remember only GOD.

People of all religious backgrounds or of no religious faith are welcomed into a Sikh Gurdwara. Visitors are not allowed to go to the gurdwara while they are had taken alcohol, any sources of meat, cigarettes or any other intoxicating substances. They are allowed to bring in money with them have prayed they may give some money for the upkeeping of the Gurdwara. Every Gurdwara has a 'Nishan Sahib', it symbolizes the khalsa. Great respect is shown to ' Nishan sahib', flag as it also symbolizes all that Sikhs believe.

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