How is a Sikh religious service conducted?
All formal Sikh religious services are conducted in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (the Sikh Holy book), which is the eternal Guru for all the Sikhs. The Holy book is adorned in an altar on a raised platform with a canopy on top of it. The congregation is seated in front of the altar, generally men on one side and women on the other. However, there is no such rule that they can’t sit together. The officiating Granthi (reader) will say the Sikh prayer and seek permission to start the service. He/she will then unwrap the Holy book and open it at a random page and read the first verse on the left side page. This verse is regarded as the order of the day. After that, depending on the program, the Ragis (Cantors or Ballads) will sing the holy hymns from Sri Guru Granth Sahib. The Granthi or an invited speaker may then deliver a sermon of the day. After that a prayer is said in which the whole congregation participates. Once again, the daily order of the day is read from the Holy book. Following this, the parshad (the holy sacrament) is distributed to all present and the ceremony is closed. Most of the time, the religious services are followed by a community meal (langar).
What is a Hukamnama (order of the day)?
A Hukamnama is the order (guidance) of the day taken from Sri Guru Granth Sahib at its first reading in the morning.
At the time of the first installation of the Adi Granth (as Sri Guru Granth Sahib was known in those days) in the sanctum of Golden Temple in Amritsar on 1 September 1604, Guru Arjan Dev asked the official reader of the scripture (Granthi) to open the volume at random and read out a hymn. This hymn was declared to be the order of the day (hukamnama). Since then, the tradition has been that every morning when the holy book is opened, an order of the day is sought by the reader.
What is Parshad?
Parshad is a common offering in the temples in the East. In Sikh Gurdwara a special type of pudding, called Karaparshad, is distributed after the services. It is a sweet and nutritious dish made of wheat flour, butter oil and sugar. The Karaparshad is almost always prepared fresh in the Gurdwara to maintain its cleanliness and purity.
Why do men and women sit separately in the Gurdwara?
There is no special rule that men and women have to sit separately in the Gurdwara. It is just a matter of tradition that men sit on one side and women on the other; there is no rule that which side is for which. From a practical standpoint it is a bit convenient for women to sit separately as they watch small children as well during the services and distractions are limited to one side only.
Why do we touch a Kirpan to the parshad before serving?
During the time of the Guru’s, when an offering was made to the Guru, he would accept it on behalf of the Gurdwara by touching it. It is said that Guru Gobind Singh sometimes used an arrow or a kirpan to touch the offerings for acceptance. Following that tradition when parshad is offered to the Guru (who is represented by Sri Guru Granth Sahib), its acceptance is signified by touching it with a kirpan.
Why in some Gurdwaras parshad is first given to five baptized Sikhs?
In a Sikh Gurdwara there is absolutely no preference for any individual. People of all religions, race and color are treated equal. No Gurdwara should give any preference to a baptized Sikh over a non-baptized Sikh or an individual of a different religion in any of their activities.
Why a small portion of the parshad be kept aside before serving to the congregation?
After the offering of the parshad has been accepted by the touch of a Kirpan, a small portion of the parshad is set aside near the holy book. The Granthi (the attendant of the holy book) who is sitting by the Holy book cannot consume parshad while he is in attendance. Therefore, his portion and a portion for those who distribute parshad is saved upfront.
Why is Langar (food for the free kitchen) brought to the Darbar hall before serving?
This practice is a ritual and not recommended. An Ardas (prayer) for the langar should be done in the kitchen itself prior to the distribution of the langar.
However, in some Gurdwaras, especially outside of India, A plate representing all the food items of the Langar is brought to the Darbar Hall before the Ardas for acceptance of the offering by the Guru. Just like parshad, the langar is touched with the kirpan signifying its acceptance by the Guru. The food is taken back to the kitchen and mixed with the bulk of the food there for general distribution.
What does the tradition of placing a Rumala on Guru Granth Sahib mean?
In the olden days it was customary for the devotees to bring expensive clothes as a gift for the gurus. Keeping up the same tradition some Sikhs bring to the Gurdwara the Rumalas (set of expensive sheets) for Sri Guru Granth sahib. This tradition is unnecessary and should be discouraged by the Gurdwaras as a lot of money is wasted on the Rumalas which are sometimes used only once. Unfortunately, some ill-informed Granthis treat this tradition in the same manner in which Muslims put a Chaddar on the tombs of their holy men.
Does Langar always have to be Indian food?
The langar doesn’t have to be Indian food. It can be a food prepared in any tradition. The key requirement for the langar is that it should be vegetarian food. The reason for serving vegetarian food in a Gurdwara is that all people can eat it without any inhibitions. If non-vegetarian food is served in the langar then those who are vegetarians will not be able to eat. Further, in the non-vegetarian food, there are further dietary restrictions in the different religions and cultures. Since a langar is open to all people, serving vegetarian food alleviates all these complexities.
Does Langar have to be served with people sitting on the carpet?
Tradition of serving Langar with people seated on the floor or on a carpet continues in most of the Gurdwaras. This tradition signified that all people are of similar stature. In some Gurdwaras, in addition to carpets, tables and chairs are provided for the elderly and individuals with medical problems.
The food can be served while people are seated or it can be a buffet style as long as good hygiene practices are followed.
What is Akhand Paath?
The word Akhand means without parts, continuous and the word paath means reading or recitation. Therefore, Akhand Paath means continuous reading of the Holy script. The continuous reading of the holy book is generally done to mark special occasions or holidays. This practice is unnecessary and has become more of a ritual because during the continuous recital (day and night) over the long hours very few people listen to the scripture. In recent years the Sikh scholars have discouraged this practice. They recommend reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in the daytime with full attention and understanding.
What is Sahaj Paath?
The word sahaj means slowly or patently and the word paath means reading or recitation. Therefore, the term, sahaj paath, is used for reading the holy book Sri Guru Granth Sahib from cover to cover with no rush or deadline in mind. This is the correct way of reading the Granth sahib as it gives one time to read, understand and reflect on the reading.
Excerpted from A Prep-Guide to Sikhism. Available through Amazon.com https://a.co/d/e3PK8gb
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