Guide to visiting a Gurdwara: Sikh Temples are open to all, irrespective of faith, race, background. Everyone is welcome and treated equally before God.
Please dress appropriately so that you can comfortably and with decency sit on the carpeted floor.
All visitors entering the Main Prayer Hall or the Dining Hall will have to remove their shoes and place them in the shoe racks provided.
Strickly NO smoking is allowed.
All visitors MUST cover their heads while in the main Prayer Hall and the Dining Hall with a scarf , large handkerchief the head coverings provided by the entrance. Hats or caps are not appropriate.
Few chairs are available in the Langar Hall for visitors who have difficulty sitting on the floor due to old age or other medical conditions.
On first entering the large prayer room (called the Darbar Sahib), a bow to the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture) shows respect to the host community. You don’t have to bow if you don’t feel comfortable. Backs should not be turned on the Guru Granth Sahib when sitting on the carpet. It is normal to sit cross-legged yoga style.
Visitors will usually be offered Kara Parshad (sweet flour and oil based food offered as a gift) in the worship hall, which is usually given in cupped hands. You are allowed to decline Parsad if you don’t want to eat it. It is disrespectful to throw it in the trash after receiving it.
You will be offered Langar (vegetarian food from the communal kitchen). If not too certain about consuming this food you can ask to be excused.
