Q: What is the function of the Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship)? Who maintains the Gurdwara? How is it financed?

A: The Gurdwara is Sikh place of worship, just like a church is for Christians, a mosque for Muslims and a temple for Hindus. Gur-dwara is two words combined into one. Gur is for Guru. Dwara is like door or house. So Gurdwara is the door or house of God. It is a place where the sacred Sikh scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib resides.

The Gurdwara serves a lot of functions for community. The traditions started in the times of Gurus themselves when they were in physical form. People congregated and asked them questions about God and His creations and the Gurus would answer those questions in a social congregation. After the Gurus left and they ordered that there would no longer be any physical Gurus and all Sikhs shall consider Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred Sikh scriptures as their Guru. From then on Guru Granth Sahib was enshrined and installed as the living Guru of the Sikhs.

The Gurdwara is a place for acquiring a spiritual knowledge and wisdom. It is open to every one regardless of age, gender, caste, color, or creed. Here all men, women and children are treated as equal. It offers shelter and food to any one in need. It is also a center for promoting culture and health. Moral education as well as knowledge of the religion and history is often taught to children in the Sikh temple. The Gurdwara is also a place for discussing problems facing the Sikh community.

In addition, people go to the Gurdwara to pray and listen to the holy scripture. All Gurdwara have a kitchen where food is cooked and served to all irrespective of caste, color, religion or country. Gurdwara is maintained through donations form Sikhs. The upkeep of the Gurdwara is done by a committee. All the people who go to the Gurdwara choose a representative body and that small body keeps the accounts and maintains the Sikh place of worship, just like any other management team.


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