Gurudwara is a sacred place of worship for the Sikh community. As the name suggests, Gurudwara means the way to the residence of Guru Sahib, where god is believed to reside "Guru ka Ghar". It is a pure place where people from all castes and religions come together to offer prayers. The word Guru in Gurudwara resembles the Holy book Guru Granth Sahib Ji placed inside the prayer hall or darbar. The presence of that Holy scripture gives meaning and justification to the word Gurudwara. No idols or statues are placed inside the gurdwara; only the holy writ is considered the true and purest form of Guru for all. Before entering a Gurdwara, a few protocols should always be followed. Here're details:
1. Cover your head Before entering the gurdwara premises you should remove your shoes and socks. After that, wash your feet and hands properly. The most important is to cover your head fully with a scarf, handkerchief, or anything which covers your head totally to mark respect to Guru Sahib. If you wish to you can buy a Prashad from the counter to offer it in the Gurudwara. ( Photo source: BBC)
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2. Do not wear inappropriate clothes Every Gurudwara has a basic rule of guidelines that must be followed by the visitors with due respect. Nobody should enter the Gurudwara with sleeveless, short clothes, ripped jeans or low waist jeans, and anything which reveals your body in an inappropriate manner. Try wearing simple dressing attires like a salwar suit and Kurta pajama which will match perfectly the vibes of a Gurdwara. (Photo Source: Dreamstime.com)
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3. Bow down your head When you enter the holy place bow down and touch the floor with your forehead to pay respect to the Guru. Everybody kneels down their head in front of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The visitors also offer money( which are submitted in the Golak placed in front of the holy writ) or food items in front of Granth Sahib which is used for the food prepared in the Gurudwara for devotees regularly ( Photo Source: Quora)
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4. Mark respect by sitting in a proper posture Sit in an appropriate manner. Everybody sits on the floor of the Gurudwara which marks equality. Everybody should cross their legs while sitting in the gurudwara hall and none should point their feet in front of the Granth Sahib. Always bow down when you move out of the Gurudwara.( Photo Source: Wikipedia)
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5. Do not clap When you enter inside the main hall you will listen to the prayers and hymns recited by the Gurdwara Granthi(heads). Always remember to listen to those prayers silently without clapping your hands or making noise in between those prayers. To clap in between the prayers is considered to mark disrespect in front of the Holy book.
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6. Do not show your back When you are going out of the Darbar hall avoid turning your back to the Granth Sahib. Even when sitting inside or around the premises of the Gurudwara avoid turning your back it marks disrespect to the Holy book placed in the prayer hall.
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7. At the time of Ardaas When Gurdwara granthi is ahead towards the Ardaas everybody should stand at their places where they are sitting and should join their hands with closed eyes. Every devotee should silently listen to the Ardaas being offered in front of the Guru and should remain silent the whole time it is being offered except for the times when the prayers demand us to recite "Waheguru" in between.
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8. Do not waste langar After visiting and offering prayers in the main hall you should head towards the Gurudwara's langar hall which is the free kitchen for everybody to sit together on mats, irrespective of their caste and religion to have the same langar being offered. The langar served is strictly not allowed to be left on your plate, you can take the food again but nobody is allowed to waste it. ( Photo Source: Quora)
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9. Sarovar Sahib in Gurudwara
Always enter the Gurudwara with a pure heart and offer your prayers with a pure soul. The Sarovar in the Gurudwara premises is the Holy water which is considered the Jal of Guru which you must have with due respect and not disrespect the Sarovar Sahib considering it a means to play. Do not indulge yourself in photography inside the Gurudwara premises as it is a Holy place to worship and not a picnic spot to enjoy.
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