The gurdwara is a Sikh meeting place. Gurdwara means "the house of the guru", the guru that is there is of course the Guru Granth Sahib. It serves as a place of worship, school, meeting room, communal kitchen and if necessary a place for people to sleep. The kitchen is a place where festival food, donated, prepared and cooked by the Sikh families of the community is shared with any visitors to the gurdwara on that day. This meal is always vegetarian and is called the langar.

• The gurdwara usually has four doors to show that it is open to all.
• When people enter they fetch their shoes off.
• Everyone who enters covers their head.
  
• There are no chairs, everyone sits on the floor.
• Alcohol and tobacco are not allowed inside.
• Gifts are often offered.
• The flag of the Khanda always flies outside. (This is the Sikh symbol)
• In Britain many gurdwaras hold their services on Sundays so that Sikhs working in our community can still take part in their own celebrations.
• The gurdwara is kept by the Sikh community. They pay for its upkeep, conduct services and look after it altogether.People working in the gurdwara are doing their SEWA...service to others.
• The Guru Granth Sahib is kept there most of the time. It may be taken out for a wedding or naming ceremony.
  

  When people enter the gurdwara they usually fetch their shoes off, wash their hands and then go up to the Guru Granth Sahib and offer their gift. They will then touch the floor with their forehead and sit, men on the right, ladies and children on the left. They greet each other with "Sat Sri Akal" which means "Truth is eternal".

  

  The Golden Temple of Amritsar is the most famous Sikh temple. It is a place of pilgrimage.

  

  The focal point of a gurdwara is the canopy over the platform on which the Guru Granth Sahib is placed. In front of that are gifts of food for the langar and a box for offerings of money. Beyond that are mats where the community will sit facing the Guru Granth Sahib.
  
  

  
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