Gurdwara

Prayer Hall (Diwan)

Kirtan, Ardas, Karah Parshad

Langar

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WORSHIP AND CELEBRATION

Prayer Hall (Diwan)

• Diwan means 'court' of a Ruler.
  
  

Sketch of Golden Temple made in mid nineteenth century


• This is the main room in the Gurdwara and tends to be upstairs if there is more than one floor.
• There is the room in which the Guru Granth Sahib is kept.
• The Guru Granth Sahib is kept on a palki (throne). It sits under a channani (canopy) and is seated on gaddis (cushions). It is covered in beautiful coverings called romallas. An attendant sits behind it to wave the chaur sahib (fan) to declare its status as the Ruler of the Sikhs. Any woman or man can read from the Guru Granth Sahib and lead the service. They are called granthi (reader of the granth).
• Sikhs remove their shoes, cover their hair, and bow before the Guru Granth Sahib to show their acceptance of the teachings. They may make an offering in the golak (treasure box) which will go to pay for the langar (free vegetarian food) and is a form of vand chhakna (sharing your wealth).
• People sit on the floor to show that they are equal. They are sitting at the feet of the Guru. People remove their shoes to keep the floor clean.