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visit on gurdwara
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A GURDWARA WALK WILL BE HELD IN NEW DELHI ON SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2013, AS PART OF THE VAISAKHI FESTIVAL.
THE FOLLOWING IS AN ARTICLE WRITTEN BY A RECENT VISITOR TO ONE OF THE TWO GURDWARAS ON THE TOUR SCHEDULE.
During a recent trip to India, I had the privilege of visiting the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib complex in New Delhi.
After being dropped off at the main gate and following the route in, I quickly found myself at the Visitors’ Center where I was warmly welcomed. An older Sikh gentleman approached me and asked if I would like to walk around by myself or if I would like to be escorted. I opted for the second option and was gently told that there were only two requests: to remove my shoes and to keep my head covered at all times.
The very basic tenets of Sikhism were explained to me in a way that was not overwhelming or judgmental; belief in One God, rejection of idol worship, the equality of all people, service to others and that one should aspire to lead an ethical life.
When we entered the main building we walked through a small amount of water to cleanse our feet. Volunteers were constantly changing the burlap mats that had been laid out on the steps for safety and hygiene. It was very apparent that this was an act of devotion on part of the volunteers.
As we entered I was shown the black-board where the day’s ‘selection’ from the Sikh Scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, was written. At the commencement of each day the Scripture is opened at random and the first verse becomes the thought of the day.
The Guru Granth Sahib has been set to music and verses from it were being sung. The atmosphere inside was very serene and relaxed. It was obvious that the Sikh religious writings are deeply venerated, in a different and more emotional way than the Christians and their Bible.
Each evening around 10:00 pm there is a ceremony when the Guru Granth Sahib -- treated as the Living Word, and therefore as a living Guru -- is retired to an ornate bed, from where it is retrieved the next morning when another day-cycle begins.
Next we went to the large pond at the back of the complex called the sarovar.
This water is considered to be sacred because the Eighth Master, Guru Har Krishan came to this spot in 1664. During this period there was a terrible epidemic in Delhi and he supplied pure water to the people from this well. It is reputed that they were cured as a result.
People of all ages were touching the water reverently. There was another place where one could have a drink of the water which many people were doing. I joined others and took a walk around the sarovar. In retrospect, I should have also had a drink of the water!
Our final visit was to the kitchen and dining hall called the Langar. The Langar is staffed primarily by volunteers and it serves over 20,000 meals daily. In Sikhism the serving of food to all visitors is central to their worship, as it administers to the physical needs, while prayer caters to the spiritual needs ... both being important.
It is a blessing to the volunteers that prepare and serve the food. It is also an example of the Sikh principle of sharing and equality; everyone sits together for the meals as equals.
The pots and pans are as big as bathtubs. People from all walks of life were working together mostly in a meditative repose as the whole facility was very quiet while preparing the food. Even men from many walks of life were rolling rotis.
I felt extremely moved by the idea that any person regardless of their circumstances could come to the gurdwara and be fed. I know that this is not the main idea behind the Langar, but the hospitality aspect was very meaningful to me; that in a poor country food was available at the facility always free of charge to anyone, and that everyone would be treated with dignity. And, of course, this would also encompass people who are lonely and want companionship.
I had arrived at the gurdwara alone and was a little hesitant entering such an unknown place. It could not have been more welcoming. It is a very special and spiritual place. As a foreigner no one bothered me and I was really able to experience the wonderful spiritual atmosphere.
I have visited many religious places around the world and I would rank the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib at the top of the list for its spirituality and hospitality.
When next in Delhi, I will certainly visit it again.
THE FOLLOWING IS AN ARTICLE WRITTEN BY A RECENT VISITOR TO ONE OF THE TWO GURDWARAS ON THE TOUR SCHEDULE.
During a recent trip to India, I had the privilege of visiting the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib complex in New Delhi.
After being dropped off at the main gate and following the route in, I quickly found myself at the Visitors’ Center where I was warmly welcomed. An older Sikh gentleman approached me and asked if I would like to walk around by myself or if I would like to be escorted. I opted for the second option and was gently told that there were only two requests: to remove my shoes and to keep my head covered at all times.
The very basic tenets of Sikhism were explained to me in a way that was not overwhelming or judgmental; belief in One God, rejection of idol worship, the equality of all people, service to others and that one should aspire to lead an ethical life.
When we entered the main building we walked through a small amount of water to cleanse our feet. Volunteers were constantly changing the burlap mats that had been laid out on the steps for safety and hygiene. It was very apparent that this was an act of devotion on part of the volunteers.
As we entered I was shown the black-board where the day’s ‘selection’ from the Sikh Scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, was written. At the commencement of each day the Scripture is opened at random and the first verse becomes the thought of the day.
The Guru Granth Sahib has been set to music and verses from it were being sung. The atmosphere inside was very serene and relaxed. It was obvious that the Sikh religious writings are deeply venerated, in a different and more emotional way than the Christians and their Bible.
Each evening around 10:00 pm there is a ceremony when the Guru Granth Sahib -- treated as the Living Word, and therefore as a living Guru -- is retired to an ornate bed, from where it is retrieved the next morning when another day-cycle begins.
Next we went to the large pond at the back of the complex called the sarovar.
This water is considered to be sacred because the Eighth Master, Guru Har Krishan came to this spot in 1664. During this period there was a terrible epidemic in Delhi and he supplied pure water to the people from this well. It is reputed that they were cured as a result.
People of all ages were touching the water reverently. There was another place where one could have a drink of the water which many people were doing. I joined others and took a walk around the sarovar. In retrospect, I should have also had a drink of the water!
Our final visit was to the kitchen and dining hall called the Langar. The Langar is staffed primarily by volunteers and it serves over 20,000 meals daily. In Sikhism the serving of food to all visitors is central to their worship, as it administers to the physical needs, while prayer caters to the spiritual needs ... both being important.
It is a blessing to the volunteers that prepare and serve the food. It is also an example of the Sikh principle of sharing and equality; everyone sits together for the meals as equals.
The pots and pans are as big as bathtubs. People from all walks of life were working together mostly in a meditative repose as the whole facility was very quiet while preparing the food. Even men from many walks of life were rolling rotis.
I felt extremely moved by the idea that any person regardless of their circumstances could come to the gurdwara and be fed. I know that this is not the main idea behind the Langar, but the hospitality aspect was very meaningful to me; that in a poor country food was available at the facility always free of charge to anyone, and that everyone would be treated with dignity. And, of course, this would also encompass people who are lonely and want companionship.
I had arrived at the gurdwara alone and was a little hesitant entering such an unknown place. It could not have been more welcoming. It is a very special and spiritual place. As a foreigner no one bothered me and I was really able to experience the wonderful spiritual atmosphere.
I have visited many religious places around the world and I would rank the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib at the top of the list for its spirituality and hospitality.
When next in Delhi, I will certainly visit it again.
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