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SGNC Visitor Information
Welcome
to Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina where visitors of all backgrounds
are welcome regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or gender. This
page has been put together to help first time visitors learn the practices
of the Gurudwara.
Gurudwara Saheb is a two story building. The second floor is the main hall where the services are held.
When arriving at the Gurudwara please dress comfortably as we sit on the floor for our services. Please consider bringing your own scarf to cover your head while inside the Gurudwara building. If you do not bring one, we will provide you with one.
As
you enter the ground floor, you will find shoe-racks on either side. We
go barefoot inside the Gurudwara building, and shoe-racks are provided
for your convinience. We request that after removing your shoes/socks,
visitors wash their hands before proceeding upstairs to the main hall
or to the Langar hall on the ground floor. Bathrooms are across from the
shoe-rack area.
Stairs angle up from either side of the ground floor. As you head up, please be sure to silence your cell phone and or pagers. Please, be sure that your head is covered with a scarf or a turban.
Once upstairs, you will be facing an alter with an ornate "Palki" in the center. Over the Palkie (the seat) is a Chandoa, a canopy. A person is usually seated behind the Palki with a Chaor of fine white hair. All of these are suitable for the throne of a King.
On the Palki is placed Guru Granth Saheb Ji. To an average person Guru Granth Saheb Ji may be a book; however, to Sikhs, Guru is our God, our King, our saviour, and our guide all rolled into one. All of the pomp and show is to show devotion and respect.
Please approach the alter respectfully. Bowing before the alter is encouraged as Guru is not just of Sikhs but of all humankind.
After bowing, please seat yourself to either side. During normal programming, Bhai Amarjit Singh or another member of Sangat is on the stage area singing the hyms that are taken directly from Guru Granth Saheb. There are two projector screens on either side of the hall where there visitors can read the translations of the hymns being sung line by line. If you are familiar with the words, you are encouraged to sing along.
At
the conclusion of the program, there is a standing prayer led by Bhai
Saheb. The entire congregation stands in attention with hands folded and
facing the Guru Saheb. Once this standing prayer is completed, a response
from Guru Granth Saheb is read aloud for all to hear. Again, the overhead
projectors will display the Hukam, or Order, of Guru Saheb and its translation.
After the Hukam is read, Bhai Saheb takes a few moments to explain the Hukam in Punjabi, the native language of the Sikhs. And then a sweet is served, called Parshad, or "blessing," made of wheat flour, water, butter and sugar. We ask that visitors accept the Parshad with both hands and refrain from putting it on the floor. Often times, during the serving of Parshad, managment makes a few announcements. Visitors are also introduced to the congregation either by themselves or by their hosts.
Then it is off to Langar on the ground floor.