Gurdwara

A gurdwara is a Sikh place of worship and community gathering centered on the Guru Granth Sahib. It is open to people of all backgrounds.

Guru Granth Sahib: The central Sikh scripture, revered as the eternal Guru of the Sikh community. Its presence and recitation center worship in a gurdwara.
Akhand Path: An uninterrupted recitation of the complete Guru Granth Sahib, usually completed in about 48 hours. Gurdwaras host this extended scripture reading for significant occasions.
Guru Nanak: The founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten human Sikh Gurus. His teachings and community laid foundations for Sikh congregational life.
Gurdwara reform movement: The early twentieth-century Sikh movement that sought community control of historic gurdwaras in Punjab. Its campaigns reshaped governance of major Sikh institutions.
Hindu temple: A Hindu sacred space used for worship, offerings, and encounters with a deity. Its devotional focus differs from the gurdwara's central scripture and congregational service.
Sikhism: A monotheistic religion founded in Punjab in the 15th century by Guru Nanak. Gurdwaras are the places of worship and community for Sikhs.
Ardas: A communal Sikh prayer that recalls Sikh history and asks for divine guidance and well-being. The congregation commonly offers ardas during services and before shared meals.
Kartarpur: A historic settlement in present-day Pakistan associated with Guru Nanak's final years and early Sikh community. The community established there is often linked to early forms of gurdwara life.
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee: An elected Sikh body that manages many historic gurdwaras in Punjab. It administers prominent shrines and helps illustrate institutional governance.
Mosque: A place where Muslims gather for prayer and communal religious activities. Comparing mosque and gurdwara highlights distinct forms of worship and community practice.

Linked from 12 pages