What is the code of conduct in the Gurdwara?

Answer 1

The Code of Conduct in the Gurdwara

1. Take off your shoes. One is advised to take off their socks too, so that the foul smell of the socks does not enter the Gurudwara premises. This is to show respect. Place your shoes in the shoe room. It also stops dust getting into the Gurdwara.

2. Cover your head. This is also to show respect.

3. No alcohol, drugs, cigarettes or weapons. This is to stop unclean substances and things getting into the Gurdwara.

4. Wash your hands and feet. This is to stop dirty feet and hands spreading dirt and dust spreading around the Gurdwara.

5. Don't point your feet at the Guru Granth Sahib. This would be disrespectful.

6. Anyone of any faith can visit a Gurdwara and will be welcomed in the Gurdwara. So people feel free in the Gurdwara, and won't be scared away.

7. Bow to the Guru Granth Sahib as the first thing touching the floor with your forehead. This not only shows respect but also indicates that you submit yourself to the truths contained in the book.

8. People also place an offering of food or money in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. This is used to run the Gurdwara and the free food kitchen (Langar). The offering is not charity but a sharing of God's gifts. If a person has no money or food to offer they may offer flowers, or just some words of sincere thanks.

9. Everyone sits on the floor in a Gurdwara. This is to be humble before the Guru Granth Sahib and because it gives everyone a place of equal status to sit. Most people sit cross-legged.

10. Anyone who walks round the Guru Granth Sahib or the Gurdwara must do so in a clockwise direction.

11. During a service a person with a whisk or fan called a Chaur waves it over the Guru Granth Sahib as a sign of respect.

12. Men and women generally sit on separate sides of the hall. To avoid distraction and keep the main focus on God.

13. Stand up and press your both hands together at the time of Ardas.

14. Towards the end of a service karah prasad, a sweet vegetarian food that has been blessed, will be served. This should be taken and received in cupped hands as a gift of God.

15. Every Gurdwara has a Langar-Khana (dining place) attached to it where food is served to everyone without charge. The food served in the Langar must be simple, so as to prevent wealthy congregations turning it into a feast that shows off their superiority. We all are supposed sit together and have the meal served. This is to remove castism or groupism of high and low.