The Gurdwara Guru Nanak Darbar is the gurdwara of Dublin, Ireland. It has two main halls, Divan Hall and Langar Hall. Divan Hall is the main hall where the holy Guru Granth Sahib is kept. It is located on the site of the old Oscar Cinema in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 which the Irish Sikh community purchased in 1987. [1]
Inside the Gurdwara, near the entrance, is the Nishan Sahib , the large Sikh flag. Nishan is a Persian word with several meanings, one of which is "flag". Sahib, an Arabic word meaning lord or master, is used here as an honorific. Thus Nishan Sahib in the Sikh tradition means the holy flag or exalted ensign.
The Sikh pennant, made out of saffron-coloured cloth is triangular, the two equal sides normally being twice the length of the third. On it is commonly printed the Sikh emblem, comprising a Khanda (two-edged sword), a Chakra (an edged circular weapon) and two Kirpans which cross each other at the handles, with the blades flanking the Chakra. The flagstaff has an iron or steel Khanda fixed on the top and is covered in orange cloth which is changed on special occasions and every year in April for the festival of Vaisakhi.
When Sikhs enter the Divan Hall they walk to the front, where they bow to the Guru Granth Sahib as a mark of respect. Members of all faiths can enter the Divan Hall with their heads covered with a scarf or any piece of cloth usually provided in a box at the entrance of the Gurdwara. They can also use their own piece of cloth.
Guru Granth Sahib is the 11th and everlasting Guru of the Sikhs. The word guru is composed of two words, gu meaning "darkness" and ru meaning "light"; thus guru is the "light that dispels all darkness". Granth is a Sanskrit word signifying a holy book. Sahib is added to its name following the Sikh tradition of expressing respect and veneration towards the Lord. In its 1430 pages, the shabads (hymns) of the Guru Granth Sahib, written in Gurmukhi script by Sikh gurus and saints from various beliefs and religions, are arranged in 31 ragas (the classical Indian melodic modes).
To reflect its importance, the Guru Granth Sahib is placed on the Manji Sahib, a raised platform covered by the palki (canopy), and covered with pieces of beautiful cloth (Romala). Both men and women can read from the Guru Granth Sahib in the gurdwara.
Donations, which may include grocery for the kitchen, money or both, are placed respectfully in front of the Guru Granth Sahib or in the money box. Devotees then sit on the carpeted floor of the divan hall, taking care not to turn their back to the Guru Granth Sahib or point their feet at it, as doing so would show disrespect. Women generally sit on one side and men on the other side of the hall. Sitting on the carpeted floor expresses humility before the Guru and equality with fellow Sikhs and others. Children sit with either parent.
Kirtan is the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, and Katha is the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib with explanations. On the right of the Guru Granth Sahib, musicians with harmoniums, tabla and other musical instruments sing hymns from it. Both men and women can lead the congregation in prayer or singing hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib.
Ardaas is a prayer performed by Sikhs to thank Waheguru (the Almighty) for all that he has done and to pray for the welfare and prosperity of the whole universe. In the congregational setting, the ardaas is recited by one person while everyone stands reverently, hands in prayer pose, facing the Guru Granth Sahib. Periodically throughout the recitation, the assembly as a whole repeats the word "Waheguru" to support the idea that God, the Wondrous Guru, is the Supreme Being capable of everything. At the completion of ardaas, the congregation bows down as one and places their foreheads on the floor to symbolize that they will go as low as necessary to support Waheguru and all that He stands for. On rising, the sangat (congregation) proclaims "Waheguru Ji ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji ki Fateh" (the Khalsa belongs to the Lord, to whom [also] belongs the Victory), "Bole So Nihal" (he who pronounces these words shall be fulfilled) and "Sat Sri Akal" (True is the Timeless Lord).
Karha Prashad: At the end of the ardaas, prashad made up of flour, sugar and ghee (clarified butter) is served to the entire congregation. It should be accepted sitting with cupped hands raised high to make it easy for the volunteer ( sewadar ) to serve. This is regarded as food blessed by the Guru and should not be refused. If uncertain of being able to eat much, one says "very small portion" to the approaching volunteer. Parshad should not be thrown away.
The Langar is a free kitchen designed to uphold the principle of equality among all people of the world, regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status. The tradition of langar also expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all humankind. It is an important aspect in the Sikh way of life, where a free vegetarian meal is prepared and served to all who come to the door of the Guru. Sikhs come to the langar hall after prayers. Everyone sits on the carpeted floor and has a meal. The work of preparing and serving the food and cleaning up afterwards is called Seva , which means voluntary, selfless service. This practice serves as a practical demonstration and a reminder to Sikhs that everyone is equal, irrespective of their status – high or low, rich or poor – and that they should share their possessions with others.
A gurdwara or gurudwara is a place of assembly and worship for Sikhs. Sikhs also refer to gurdwaras as Gurdwara Sahib. People from all faiths are welcomed in gurdwaras. Each gurdwara has a Darbar Sahib where the Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a takhat in a prominent central position. Any congregant may recite, sing, and explain the verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, in the presence of the rest of the congregation.
Waheguru is a term used in Sikhism to refer to God as described in Guru Granth Sahib. It is the most common term to refer to God in modern Sikhism.
The following outline is provides an overview of Sikhism, or Sikhi.
The Ardās is a set prayer in Sikhism. It is a part of worship service in a Gurdwara, daily rituals such as the opening the Guru Granth Sahib for prakash or closing it for sukhasan in larger Gurdwaras, closing of congregational worship in smaller Gurdwaras, rites-of-passages such as with the naming of child or the cremation of a loved one, daily prayer by devout Sikhs and any significant Sikh ceremonies.
The laava phere, also known as Lavan, are the four hymns of the Anand Karaj which form the main part of this ceremony. The four hymns are from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scriptures and appear on Ang 773 to 774 of the total of 1430. The Laavaan Shabad was written by the Fourth Guru, Guru Ram Daas Ji.
The Khanda is the symbol of the Sikh faith (Sikhism) which attained its current form around the 1930s during the Ghadar Movement.
The Nishan Sahib in Sikhism is a triangular flag made of cotton or silk cloth, with a tassel at its end. The current form of the Nishan Sahib that is in use throughout Gurdwaras around the world has an Blue color that has the symbol in the center of the flag. It is commonly hoisted on a tall flagpole outside Gurdwaras.
Darbar Sahib, or Darbar Hall, literally means the Imperial Court, and often refers to the main room within a Gurdwara. This room is where the Guru Granth Sahib sits on a raised throne, or takht in a prominent central position.
The Akhand Kirtani Jatha, alternatively romanized as the Akhand Keertanee Jathaa and abbreviated as AKJ, is a jatha and sect of Sikhism dedicated to the Sikh lifestyle. The Jatha follows a strict discipline in keeping the Rehat of Guru Gobind Singh. They also enjoy an active style of Keertan recited by Sikhs in a collective manner in front of Guru Granth Sahib. This style of Keertan is relatively simple, and the entire congregation devotionally participates in singing along.
Nitnem is a collection of Sikh hymns (Gurbani) to be read minimally 3 different times of the day. These are mandatory and to be read by every Amritdhari Sikh as expressed in the Sikh Rehat Maryada. Optionally additional prayers may be added to a Sikh's nitnem. There are five hymns (Five Banis) to be done during Amrit Vela, the Rehras Sahib hymn for the evening and Kirtan Sohila for the night. The morning and evening prayers should be followed by an Ardaas.
Akhand Path The continuous and uninterrupted recitation of Sri Guru Guru Granth Sahib Ji is known as Akhand Path Sahib.
Rehat refers to the rules and traditions which govern the unique Sikh lifestyle and determines correct Sikh orthodoxy and orthopraxy. The Sikh Rehit Maryada is a code of conduct and conventions for Sikhism. The final version of the Rehat Maryada was approved by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Amritsar in 1945. The Rehat Maryada was created to provide guidance to Sikhs on practical and functional aspects of daily life, including the operations of Sikh Gurdwaras, and religious practices to foster cohesion throughout the community. Rehitnāma is a Punjabi term that refers to a genre of Sikh religious literature which expounds upon specifiying an approved way of life for a Sikh.
Gurpurab, alternatively spelt as Gurpurb or Gurpurub, in Sikh tradition is a celebration of an anniversary of a Guru's birth marked by the holding of a festival.
A Hukamnama, in modern-times, refers to a hymn from the Guru Granth Sahib which is given as an injunction, order, or edict to Sikhs. It also refers to edicts issued by the contemporary Takhts. In the historical sense, it was used to refer to an issued injunction, order, or edict given by one of the Gurus of Sikhism or their officiated followers and associates during their lives.
The following list consists of concepts that are derived from both Sikh and Indian tradition. The main purpose of this list is to disambiguate multiple spellings, to make note of spellings no longer in use for these concepts, to define the concept in one or two lines, to make it easy for one to find and pin down specific concepts, and to provide a guide to unique concepts of Sikhism all in one place.
Antam Sanskar refers to the funeral rites in Sikhism. Antam means "final", while sanskar means "rite".
A Balmiki temple is called an Ashram, which means a hermitage or monastery. It is the communal house for Balmikis. The function of the Ashram is to serve as a center for building up devotees' commitment and for transmitting the Ramayana's message, and the focal point for the whole community to preserve their culture and traditions.
The 52 Hukams are a set of instruction in Sikhism set by Guru Gobind Singh in Nanded, Maharashtra, India in 1708. These edicts sum up the ideal way of life of the Khalsa and serve as a code of conduct for the Khalsa Panth. Members of the Khalsa aim to follow all the 52 edicts.
Amrit Sanskar also called Amrit Parchar, Amrit Sanchar, Khande di Pahul, or Khande Batte di Pahul is one of the four Sikh Sanskaars. The Amrit Sanskar is the initiation rite introduced by Guru Gobind Singh when he founded the Khalsa in 1699.
The Gurdwara Sahib Woolwich is a Sikh gurdwara in central Woolwich in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, South East London. It was built in 1814–16 as a Methodist church and converted into a Sikh place of worship in the late 1970s. The main hall is Grade II-listed; the former Soldier's Institute and Sunday School next door, now in use as a langar hall, is not.
