Chanani

Chanani in the Gurudwara is normally a covering made of cloth which is very much embroidered and decorated. It covers the Palki marks respect to the Guru. Thus this rectangular covering is known as Chanani, and is placed in the darbar sahib over the Palki and Guru Grant Sahib Ji. This Chanani is held high by 4 posts.

Manji Sahib

The term Manji sahib is used by the Sikh's for the small bed on which the Holy Sikh Scriptures, Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is placed during the day in the Darbar Sahib of the Gurdwara.

Rumalla Sahib

Rumalla refers to the cloth material that is used to cover the Guru Granth Sahib ji in the Gurdwara (Sikh temple) when it is not being read. Rumallas are also sometimes brought as gifts by the people for their GURU.

Palki

Palki is, where the Guru resides, when the Guru is carried from one place to another. The Guru Granth Sahib ji is placed on the Manji Sahib, a raised platform covered by the Palki. The Guru Granth Sahib ji is covered by a piece of beautiful material called a Rumalla and flowers are placed around the Palki.

Nishan Sahib

Nishan Sahib is the external distinguishing mark of the Gurudwara. Nishan Sahib depicts the presence of Gurudwara at a particular place.

Golak

Golak is a systematic & formal financial management system in the Gurudwara. The Gurdwara management team, on behalf of Guru Granth Sahib ji, manages the accounts, expenditures, donations & gifts of the Gurudwara and by the Gurudwara.

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The Guru's Throne

As u enter the Gurdwara, at the front, in the center is located the Guru's Takhat in the Darbar Hall. U will see the Guru grant sahib ji immediately. It is the central feature of the Gurdwara.

The essential features of the Guru's throne are the:

* Chanani
* Manji sahib
* Palki sahib
* Rumalla and small pillows
* Chaur sahib
* Golak
* Nishan sahib

The Guru

Sikhs treat Guru Granth Sahib Ji, not only as the holy book of the sikhs but as a eleventh Guru, as said by Guru Gibind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of the sikhs. The Guru teaches that there is only One GOD, and one should spend a truthful living.

'Worship' in Sikhism dedicates the path set in the Guru Granth Sahib ji, of a sikhs life. This way of life is different from that normally followed by and understood by ordinary people. 'Worship' means to follow what is said by the GOD, living with the norms of the 'True Lord', to have respect for God in one's own mind and following the instruction outlined in the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, by:

* Listening
* Reciting
* Understanding
* Believing
* Serving

The mind of a Sikh also serves as a place of worship. Worship ends only after the soul leaves the body, that means when the person dies and becomes a part of the 'Eternal Spirit'. And if worship is true, and is done by true heart then it goes with u even after a person dies.

The Sikhs dont worship any person who resides in any specific temple or holy place, but believe in the words and the teachings as said by the ten Gurus, Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the 'One True God'. A sikh do not follow any rituals, but follows only the path set by Guru Granth Sahib Ji that is 'the path of truthful living'.

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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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Kirtan

Kirtan ; The Sikh tradition of Kirtan-Gurmat Sangeet-started by Guru Nanak at Kartarpur in 1521. The Guru has says that Kirtan is the formula that applies 'as magic' on a sikh's mind and body. Kirtan keep the human soul afloat in the dark age of life. Sikhs aimlessly drift themselves towards God by listening to the Kirtan, provided the devotee sings the pure hymns with their heart and focuses only on understanding the meaning and true value of the Gurbani. Thus, by singing the Kirtan of Guru's praises, a sikhs mind becomes peaceful.

In Guru Granth Sahib Ji it is mentioned:

'bani guru, guru hai bani, vich baani amrit saare
gurbani kahe sewak jan maane parthak guru nistaare'

means, The hymns (gurbani) given in Guru Granth Sahib Ji are a way to reach God, and if u have to reach God, follow the hymns. Apply them in your life.

and

'Kaljug meh kīrtan pardhānā. Gurmukh japīai lāė dhiānā'

means, In this dark age of Kali Yuga, the Kirtan of the Lord's praises
are the most important and inspiring for the sikhs. Become Gurmukh, chant and focus your meditation.

It is said, for a true sikh, by taking Guru's name and singing Guru's hymns with your inner heart and love guru himself removes all forms of problems. For a sikh all seven days, all timings are the same and have no special importance or significance. once we completely unconditionally decide to sling with almighty,
he takes special care of all his sincere devotees ensuring that they are protected from any type of bodily, mental or spiritual harm.

The writings in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji are a very deep spiritual thought, which has to be clearly understood in its right perspective. These are neither songs or poetry. it is a universal spiritual message for the entire humanity, a medium to achieve salvation, thereby to find a graceful palce in Lord's abode.

It is said ' dhur ki bani aayi, tin sagli chint mitai '

which means, Gurus teachings have been dirsctly propogated by the Almighty so that a sikh can establish an everlasting relationship withy the one absolute Almighty. In whole, we require a deep rooting of his name permanently in our lives.

Says Nanak says, listen, people: 'sing the Kirtan of the Lord`s Praises, and you shall be saved'

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Sikh Beliefs

What are the Sikh Believes ?

Three Pillars:

* Naam Japo
* Kirat Karni
* Wand kay Shako

Five Evils:

* Kam
* Krodh
* Lobh
* Moh
* Ahankar

Five Virtues:

* Sat
* Santokh
* Daya
* Nimrata
* Pyare

Naam refers to the names given to God, Whereas Nām Japō (Gurmukhi), refers to the vocal singing of Hymns given in Guru Granth Sahib. This is done only through meditation. Specially the chanting of the word Waheguru, means Wonderful Lord. Singing of hymns generally is also referred to a ‘Nām Jap’, sometimes also called ‘Nām Simran’ and 'Kirtan'. It is an important activity in a sikhs life. It is the duty of every Sikh to practice Naam Simran daily and make out some time for Seva in the Gurdwara.

It is said that a true sikh is the one who gets up early everyday and follow this activity of Nam Japna. A Sikh is to engage in a daily practice of Nitnem (gurbani).
His words, mind and focus, all should be in his Almighty's feet. These guidelines of 'Rehit Mariyada' are given by Guru Gobind Singh ji. He said that nam japna should be a regular part of routine of a sikhs life. The sikh who walks through the path only reaches the God.

Our mind and spirit are constantly being attacked by the Five Evils. To get rid of the Five Evils mainly known as ego, greed, attachment, anger and lust, one should regularly perform his nam_japna activity. Thus by following the path one gets peace in life. 'Kirat Karni' and 'Wand kay Shako' are the other two things to be followed by a sikh. Thus, a sikh Guru should adopt the positive human qualities that comprises of Sat (Truth), Daya (Compassion), Santokh (Contentment), Nimrata (Humility) and Pyare (Love).

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