WALT:
 Understand what the
Gurdwara Sahib is.
 Understand the 7 parts of a
Nishaan Sahib
Greeting Task: Write down the literal meaning of
‘GURDWARA’.

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

Meaning of a Gurdwara:
Diwan Features
Maryada in the Guru Ghar:
Gurdwara Sahib
Features of a Gurdwara:

Literally Guru's portal/ abode / House or Door
Why does Harmandir Sahib have
4 entrances?
There are four entrances to the
Gurdwara, as ANYONE and EVERYONE is welcome from any direction, country, religion, gender, caste and creed. Therefore this signifies the importance of acceptance and openness

TASK: As we walk around the Gurdwara Sahib- write down/draw the key features of the Gurdwara Sahib. What makes a Gurdwara a Gurdwara???? How would you tell BOB the alien what a Gurdwara is?

A Gurdwara is identified by the following five basic features:-
1.The Guru i.e. SGGSJ. A hall called Darbar Sahib, houses the Guru. This hall in most modern Gurdwaras is large and will house many hundreds of visitors.
2.Nishan Sahib, is a triangular orange flag with a Khalsa emblem of a (Khanda)in the middle. It expresses the faith of Sikh Community in the True Lord. It is a Khalsa icon for the TRUE Guru's abode
3. Pangat i.e. Free community kitchen. It is part of a building complex where communal meals are served-
EVERYONE SITS TOGETHER regardless of caste, creed, gender, religion etc.
4. Sangat is a holy congregation of the 'saint soldiers', which in the purest form is called the Khalsa. As per
Sikh faith, this Khalsa congregation also represents the combined spirit of the ONE(True eternal God) personified and with the Bani of the Shabad Guru as present in Sach Khand. Gurbani singers & those regulating the function will normally address the holy congregation (sangat)as "Guru Roop Sadh Sangat" literally meaning " Congregation endowed with the power of the Guru" (i.e. "gathering of the "Pure" or
Khalsa")
5. Golak refers to a systematic & formal financial system in the custody of Guru Granth Sahib. One can donate their dasvand here. In front of the Golak Maharaj and his Sikhs are protected by shaster.
In addition to the 5 Basic features, a Gurdwara may have:
6. Rest Room for the SGGSJ: This room is sometimes called "Sach Khand" (which translates to abode of 'True God' /Pure
Domain /Paradise )
7. Various utility rooms, wash-rooms, kitchen, etc. Some of the larger Sikh Gurdwaras may also have rooms for the devotees to stay overnight with bathroom facilities.

TASK: As we sit in the back of the diwan, write down/draw the key features of the the diwan hall. How would you tell
BOB the alien what happens in diwan?

Chanani is a canopy normally made of highly decorated cloth which covers the scriptures as is used as a mark of respect. The platform where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is placed the the darbar sahib is covered on top with a rectangular canopy called a Chanani, which is a large covering made of rich cloth attached high above the Guru's seating near the ceiling secured to the roof of the hall or held high by 4 posts.
Manji is a Punjabi word for a small bed and sahib is term to show respect for the item described in the preceding word. The term Manji sahib is used in the Sikh tradition for the small bed on which Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee is placed during the day in the main hall (Darbar Sahib) of the Gurdwara.
Rumalla is a Punjabi term for a square or rectangular piece of silk or other cloth material used to cover the Sri Guru Granth
Sahib Jee in the Gurdwara when it is not being read. Rumallas are sometimes brought as gifts when people attend the services at the Sikh Gurdwara.
Palki is where the Guru resides, when the Guru is carried from one place to another.. The Guru Granth Sahib is placed on the
Manji Sahib - a raised platform covered by the Palki - a canopy, to show its importance. The Guru Granth Sahib is covered by a piece of beautiful material called a Rumalla and flowers are placed round it. Around the top of the canopy may be engraved the word 'Waheguru' which means 'Wonderful Lord'.
Nishan Its external distinguishing mark is the Nishan Sahib or the Sikh flag, saffron in colour, that flies day and night atop the building, or, more often, separately close to it.

Video: Revealed The Golden Temple

TASK: Tell Bob what Maryada we observe in the Guru Ghar?
Behaviour?
In Diwan?
In the Langar kitchen?
In the Langar hall?
Maryada for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee?
THINK BACK TO OUR LESSON ON SATKAR......
How do we maintain RESPECT????

Respect
Environment On the Move Personal Behaviour 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.

Where do we normally find the Nishan Sahib?

 Was first used in the times of Guru Amar Das jee
 Which Guru was he?
 Then put up by the
Sixth guru at Sri Akal
Takhat sahib in 1609.
 Who was the 6 th Guru?

A The Colour is called Kesri. It is the colour which reminds of those who have died for their Guru.

B is called the
Farla. When it flaps in the wind it invites everyone to the home of the guru

C The Khanda
Symbol reminds us to be a Saint and
Soldier. To always remember god and also stand for truth

D Kamarkasa – reminds the Sikh to always be ready for serving/helping others

E are the promises we tie to follow sikhi – keep our hair and take amrit to become better
Sikhs

F are the ropes which hold the nishan sahib in place. There are four of them which means people from all directions can receive a message from Guru Granth Sahib jee.

G is called the Thara. If the flag of a religion flies high, it is a sign that the people it belongs to are free and strong.
A nishan sahib is high from the ground which fits in with
“jab lag khalsa rahe niyara, tab lag tej deeyo mein sara”
Until the khalsa remains unique I will give it my support – Guru Gobind
Singh Jee Maharaj

H is the world which the Sikh lives and works in but does not forget vaheguru

I The khanda top reminds us to always focus on simran and take our thoughts higher and to think better actions

A
F
B
D
C
E
I
G
H

Pair share:
Why do you think we don’t half mast the
Nishan Sahib like the royal family does?
Why do you think it’s important to say fateh to the Nishan Sahib?

Meaning of a Gurdwara:
Diwan Features
Maryada in the Guru Ghar:
Gurdwara Sahib
Features of a Gurdwara:

1. Revise the 7 parts of the Nishaan Sahib for a mini test next lesson
2. Identify the 5 Gurdwara Sahibs on the handout.
Extension: Research a key fact about each of these special
Gurdwara Sahibs
Deadline: