The Gurdwara Sahib Part 2
WALT:
Consolidate our knowledge
of the Gurdwara Sahib
Evaluate the 5 key elements
of the Gurdwara Sahib
Greeting Task: Do you
remember the 7 parts
of the Nishaan
Sahib????
Pentee Time
a A e s h
k K g G |
c C j J \
t T f F x
q Q d D n
p P b B m
X r l v V
S ^ Z z & L
Prayer Time
A
I
E
B
C
D
F
G
H
Meaning of a Gurdwara:
Features of a Gurdwara:
Diwan Features
Gurdwara Sahib
Maryada in the Guru Ghar:
Respect
Personal Behaviour
Environment
On the Move
Other
Head must be covered at all
times.
Shoes and socks must be
removed.
Basic standards of personal
hygiene are to be observed
especially relating to
cleanliness
Eating or drinking while in
service is strictly avoided.
Being under the influence of
any intoxicant including
alcohol, tobacco...etc. is strictly
forbidden.
Consuming meat before
entering the Darbar Sahib is
strictly forbidden.
Complete silence is observed
while in Guru's service.
Respectful attitude towards
others who are present.
No Discrimination while
doing Sewa
The room should be kept
clean
The rumalla sahibs that are
used to cover Guru Granth
Sahib Ji are kept clean and
changed daily.
The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is
always placed on a Manji Sahib
(small handmade throne).
A canopy is always placed
over the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
A Chaur Sahib is provided
besides Guru Granth Sahib Ji
with a small platform to house
the Karah Parshad (sacramental
food) and other offerings.
Everyone should cover their
head and take off their shoes.
Five initiated Sikhs
accompany Guru Granth Sahib
at all times when travelling
Another Sikh does Chaur
Sahib seva
One Singh is to go ahead of
Satguru and sprinkle water or
wet flower petals.
The Main Singh carrying the
Guru must put a clean Rumalla
on his Turban before carefully
and with respect placing the
Guru on this Rumalla. At all
times, the Guru should be
covered with a small Rumalla
so that the Guru's Sarop is
always fully "covered".
Also the Sikh carrying Guru
Granth Sahib should have
"Keshi Ishnaan" or washed hair
to show respect.
There should be recitation of
"Waheguru" at all times.
No one sits on a higher
platform than the Guru.
No one is to come in front of
guruji without his or her head
covered.
How do people protect themselves
and their homes?
What does satkar mean?
What does beadbi mean?
As we watch the video Satkar vs
Beadbi reflect on how it makes YOU
feel?
We are the guardians assigned to protect the house of God- TO MAINTAIN SATKAR
AND STOP BEADBI. Whether that’s defending the house of God in the form of a
Gurdwara or protecting the God within (stopping the 5 vices) or protecting the
defenceless
We are born as SAINT- SOLIDERS the guardians and upholders of peace, freedom
and righteousness
Sikhs are like athletes constantly
training the mind and body!
WILL YOU
PROTECT
YOUR
HOUSE??????
The Gurdwara is more than a building
HANDS UP: Which religion are these
people?
The Amish don’t believe in church
buildings- they believe that the soul is the
temple of God not a building.
This is true for Sikhs too but WHY is it
important for Sikhs to attend the
Gurughar? What happens? Where are
you sitting right now?
Task: Draw a little
blackboard and in it write
down what we learn at the
Gurdwara.
Charles Wilkins from Asiastic Society on
his visit to Gurrdwara Sri Harmandir,
Patna Sahib on 1st March 1781 writes a
paper titled "Seeks and their College at
Patna" writes:
"...there was a considerable number of
them [Sikhs] settled in the city of Patna,
where they had a College for teaching
the tenets of their philosophy."
The Gurdwara is more than a building
These are the 5 things that constitute a
Gurdwara according to Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha in
the Mahan Kosh:
1) Spiritual Hub - Religious & Spiritual Training
2) Free Kitchen - for poor
3) Rest house - for pilgrims/homeless
without any demand or expectation
4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible for
Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his son Shah
Jahan was given medicine for his son (Dara
Sikhon) by Guru Harrai Sahib Jee from the
Gurdwara Hospital/ Dispensary
5) Fort - protection of Gurbani, values &
beliefs - physical training is provided eg Guru
Angad Dev Jee started Wrestling Akharae
What is a Gurdwara?
More than a “temple” too
Temple: A building devoted to the worship, or regarded as the dwelling place, of a god or gods
or other objects of religious reverence
1) Spiritual Hub - Religious & Spiritual Training
2) Free Kitchen - for poor
3) Rest house - for pilgrims/homeless
without any demand or expectation
4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible for
Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his son Shah
Jahan was given medicine for his son (Dara
Sikhon) by Guru Harrai Sahib Jee from the
Gurdwara Hospital/ Dispensary
5) Fort - protection of Gurbani, values &
beliefs - physical training is provided eg Guru
Angad Dev Jee started Wrestling Akharae
2) Free Kitchen - for poor
1) Spiritual Hub - Religious &
Spiritual Training
TASK: Thinking back to your previous lessons add examples of how the
gurdwara meets these 5 criteria.
3) Rest house - for
pilgrims/homeless
without any demand or
expectation
These are the 5 things that
constitute a Gurdwara according to
Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha in the
Mahan Kosh:
5) Fort - protection of
Gurbani, values & beliefs physical training is
provided eg Guru Angad
Dev Jee started Wrestling
Akharae
4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible
for Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his
son Shah Jahan was given medicine
for his son (Dara Sikhon) by Guru
Harrai Sahib Jee from the Gurdwara
Hospital/ Dispensary
Get our your second homework please.
The Knowledge
Carousel
TASK: Around the room are
5 Takhat fact cards. Using
the cards write down which
Takhat provides any of the 5
functions and HOW.
You can pair share but you
have 2 mins with each card
carousel.
The first and foremost Takht is the Sri Akaal Takht Sahib Jee.
The literal meaning of Takht is ‘throne which is sat on by an emperor.’
Akaal means Timeless. We often refer to Vaheguroo (God) as The Timeless One as He is not bound by time. Vaheguroo has
always been here, is here with us now and will always be here.
After the shaheedi of Sri Guroo Arjan Dev Jee (the fifth Guroo of the Sikhs), Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee (the sixth Guroo
of the Sikhs) built the Akaal Takht Sahib with Bhai Gurdas Jee and Baba Buddha Jee. Guroo Jee named the Takht after
God and not after himself, his father or even after Sri Guroo Naanak Dev Jee.
Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee said that whoever comes in to the fold/organisation/protection of the Miri Piri (temporal and
spiritual power) will be saved. Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee said it is now time to turn to the sword. The two
kirpaans of miri and piri where placed on Sri Guroo Hargobind Sahib Jee by Baba Buddha Jee.
Guroo Jee also installed two Nishaan Sahibs near Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. The one closest to the Takht is lower than the one
that is closer to Sri Harmandir Sahib Jee. This signifies that a Sikh must be a saint (piri) first and then a soldier (miri).
Guroo Saahib would spend their evenings at Sri Akaal Takht Sahib. Here, they would see the bravery/strength of their
Sikhs. Two dhadhi’s by the names of Bhai Abdula Jee and Bhai Natha Jee (from Sursingh) would sing tales about brave
warriors in battle. Over a period of two months they sang all twenty four vaars from Sri Guroo Granth Saahib Jee
Maharaaj.
The Akaal Takht Sahib is the highest political institute of the Sikhs. Sikhs would be invited to attend from far and
wide. Under the guidance of Dhan Sri Guroo Granth Sahib Jee Maharaaj the final decision would be read out by the
Jathedhar and this would be accepted by the Khalsa Panth. This continues even today. At the times of Sri Guroo
Hargobind Sahib Jee Sarbat Khalsa would take place twice a year (at Diwali and Vaisakhi).
The last Sarbat Khalsa was called in 1986 by the Panth, in which it was agreed that the struggle for an independent Sikh
state will continue until victory is achieved.
In 1984, the Government of India attacked the Akaal Takht Sahib and Sri Harmandir Sahib with tanks and armoured
vehicles. Thousands of Sikhs lost their lives, the youngest martyr of this onslaught was a 5 year old girl named Bibi
Vaheguroo Kaur Jee who gave her life with the whole of her family. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh
bodyguards on 31 October 1984.
Patna Sahib, Bihar
In the year 1504, Sri Guroo Naanak Dev Jee went to Patna Sahib with Bhai Mardana Jee. When Guroo Jee was leaving the
town he told a merchant called Salis Rai that he would return in his tenth form.
Sri Guroo Gobind Singh Jee was born in the city called Patna. As a mark of respect we add Saahib to the end – Patna Saahib.
The second takht is called Sri Harmandir Jee.
Sri Guroo Gobind Singh Jee was called Gobind Rai before he was blessed with Amrit from the panj pyaarae.
Bhikan Shah was a well known Muslim saint. He was very loyal and honest. One day he did something he had never done
before. He started bowing in the opposite direction of Mecca during his prayers. This had never been done before.
People thought that he had gone crazy.
When he was asked why he did this Bhikan Shah said, “If you could see who has come to take care of everything then you
would bow in this direction too.” He was talking about the coming of Sri Guroo Gobind Singh Jee.
Bhikan Shah went to Patna Saahib to see the child. He found out that a child had been born to Sri Guroo Tegh Bahaadur
Jee, the ninth Guroo of the Sikhs. The child’s name was Gobind Rai.
Bhikan Shah and Gobind Rai seemed to recognise each other straight away. Bhikan Shah had two pots which he placed in
front of Gobind Rai. With his playful spirit, he reached out with both hands and put one on each pot. Bhikan Shah
became very happy.
Bhikan Shah explained that one of the pots represented the Muslim faith and the other represented the Hindu faith. Gobind
Rai placed his hands on both pots meaning he would look after all people and all religions.
Sri Guroo Gobind Singh Jee defended all people and he set up the army of the Khalsa that will always stand up for truth.
In 1666 when Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born – his father the 9th Guru of the Sikhs , Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Maharaaj bought some land & called the place Anandpur Sahib.
In Anandpur Sahib Guru Gobind Singh Ji built six forts to protect the city of Anandpur, Sri Kesgarh Sahib Ji is
one of these six forts.
Sri Kesgarh Sahib Ji is also the 3rd Takht of the Sikhs & is located in the centre of Anandpur Sahib.
It is at Sri Kesgarh Sahib Ji that the Vaisakhi of 1699 took place & it is the birthplace of the Khalsa.
The Panj Pyaarae, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Guru Ji’s whole family & millions of Sikhs took Amrit at Sri Kesgarh
Sahib Ji on the day of Vaisakhi in 1699.
At Sri Kesgarh Sahib Ji today there are shasters belonging to Guru Gobind Singh Ji - these inculde;
•
•
The Khanda used in the Amrit Sanchar of 1699
• Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Kataar
• Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s Saif (double edged weapon)
• Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s gun
• Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s spear (known as Karpa Barchha)
A Naagni – a twisted spear like the one Bhai Bachitter Singh Ji used to defeat an elephant.
Guru Kee Kashi, Sabo Kee Talwandi, Batinda, Panjab
Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Guru Kee Kanshi, Sabo Kee Talwandi, Batinda, is one of the five seats of authority for Sikhs. This
Takht is situated at Batinda in Punjab, in a village called Sabo Kee Talwandi.
Damdama means a place to have a break and rest.
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee stayed here after fighting battles against the mughals. Before his arrival at Sabo Kee Talwandi,
two of the Guru’s sons were bricked alive at Sarhind and two laid down their lives at Chamkaur Sahib. After writing the
Zafarnama, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee fought a successful battle at Muktsar and then moved towards Sabo Kee
Talwandi.
The true and complete form of Sri Guru Granth Saahib Jee was written at Sri Damdama Sahib by the hand of the great Sikh,
Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh Jee as Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee recited gurbani off by heart. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee
added to the original version prepared by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Jee and the verses (hymns/shabads) of Sri Guru Tegh
Bahadur Jee.
Baba Deep Singh Jee with firm faith would complete the seva of providing the paper, pens and ink. He also wrote four more
saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee by hand and these can be found at the other four Takhts. Later, Shaheed Baba
Deep Singh Jee was made the jathedhar of the Takht by Guru Jee.
Within nine months and nine days the correct pronunciation and understanding of gurbani was taught to forty eight Singhs
by Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee.
Guru Jee blessed Sabo Kee Talwandi, as Guru Ki Kanshi. Kanshi means holy shrine or centre of religious and spiritual
learning and development. He said that it would be a place where there would be many scholars, philosophers,
writers, students and devotees of the Sikh Faith.
We should all strive to do as much seva as we can and use the skills, talents and qualities that we have to increase
awareness of the Sikh faith.
Sachkand: Realm of Truth
Hazoor: Presence of the Master
After compiling Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee at Damdama Sahib, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee travelled to the city he named
Abchalnagar meaning ‘steadfast city’, to the sacred place now known as Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib Jee.
Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib is one of the five seats of authority for Sikhs. This Takht has a rich history of important
events which all Sikhs should remember.
It was at Sri Hazoor Sahib that Madho Daas met Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee and was blessed with the gift of Amrit. Madho
Daas was bestowed with the new name Banda Singh Bahadur, meaning slave of the Guru. Guru Jee sent Baba Banda
Singh Bahadur with five arrows and five Singhs to fight Wazir Khan and his men in Sirhand. Baba Banda Singh Bahadur
is respected as one of the greatest Sikh warriors and martyrs.
Bhai Daya Singh Jee and Bhai Dharam Singh Jee, two of the beloved Panj Piare took their last breath at Sri Hazoor Sahib.
Sri Hazoor Sahib Jee is where Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee blessed the Sikhs with Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee as the Living Guruthe Jagdi Jyot (the divine light of all ten Guru Sahibs).
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee in the presence of five Singhs, placed a shaster, flowers, a coconut and five paise in front of Sri
Guru Granth Sahib Jee Maharaaj. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee bowed with devotion and did parkarma around Guru
Granth Sahib Jee. He passionately informed the Sikhs;
Sabh Sikhan Ko Hukam Hai Guru Maneo Granth
To all Sikhs, let this be the order, recognize the Granth as your Guru.
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee left their physical body in Hazoor Sahib. Sri Hazoor Sahib should be visited by all Sikhs so we can
be blessed with the darshan of Angetha Sahib (where Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee is cremated) and Guru Jee’s holy
weapons.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee Maharaj should be treated with the utmost love, respect and devotion. Sri Guru Gobind Singh Jee
emphasises the power of Shabad Guru:
“Whatever you desire can be obtained by meditating on the Shabad (Verses) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee.”
2) Free Kitchen - for poor
1) Spiritual Hub - Religious &
Spiritual Training
SHARE ONE THING YOU WROTE DOWN.
3) Rest house - for
pilgrims/homeless
without any demand or
expectation
These are the 5 things that
constitute a Gurdwara according to
Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha in the
Mahan Kosh:
5) Fort - protection of
Gurbani, values & beliefs physical training is
provided eg Guru Angad
Dev Jee started Wrestling
Akharae
4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible
for Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his
son Shah Jahan was given medicine
for his son (Dara Sikhon) by Guru
Harrai Sahib Jee from the Gurdwara
Hospital/ Dispensary
2) Free Kitchen - for poor
1) Spiritual Hub - Religious &
Spiritual Training
Homework: Are WE meeting these 5 qualities in the UK? If so give some
examples. What else can WE DO to meet these 5 expectations?
3) Rest house - for
pilgrims/homeless
without any demand or
expectation
These are the 5 things that
constitute a Gurdwara according to
Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha in the
Mahan Kosh:
5) Fort - protection of
Gurbani, values & beliefs physical training is
provided eg Guru Angad
Dev Jee started Wrestling
Akharae
DEADLINE:
4) Hospital - Jahangir was responsible
for Guru Arjan Dev Jee's Shaheedi, his
son Shah Jahan was given medicine
for his son (Dara Sikhon) by Guru
Harrai Sahib Jee from the Gurdwara
Hospital/ Dispensary