Guru Nanak Satsang Gurdwara- Wolverhampton

By Alisha Swali

This is the Gurdwara that I go to weekly and is where anyone can go irrespective of caste/religion etc It is actually the first Gurdwara to be established in Wolverhampton in 1966. The literally meaning of the punjabi word Gurdwara is the ‘door to the Guru.’  In the Gurdwara, the main hall where worship takes place is known as a Darbar Sahib and is where Guru Granth Sahib Ji is kept. It is also where we sit on the floor, as a sign that we are equal. The Guru Granth Sahib Ji are the holy scriptures within the Sikh faith, they contain the teachings of our Gurus’. The 10 living Gurus’ within the Sikh faith were living people, who were enlightened masters and teachers who taught the Sikhs about God and to Sikhs have the light of God within them. The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is given the respect that a human Guru would be given. It is recited throughout the day and returns to it’s own room at night. It is placed on a raised platform (Takht or Manji Sahib meaning throne), under a canopy and covered with a beautiful patterned cloth. When we get to Guru Granth Sahib Ji, we touch the floor with our foreheads as a sign we submit to the truths found within Guru Ji. There will also, be someone waves the Chaur Sahib (fan) over it. At this Gurdwara and all of them, congregation gather to sing the praises of God by using the shabads (hymns and sections ) within Guru Granth Sahib Ji and remember God by repeating his name in meditation. This is because Sikhs believe that God has no physical form and He resides within us. In this Gurdwara and every other one,there is a hall in which free food also known as langar is served. The food is simple and is vegeterian to try and meet all the needs of people coming to the Gurdwara. The concept of langar has been within Gurdwara since the time of the first Guru,  Guru Nanak Dev Ji since 1481. For children and people of all ages, in this Gurdwara there are many sessions that go on throughout the week including; Sikh history, how to play classical instruments to accompany the singing of shabad and the chanting/meditating on God’s name (kirtan classes), homework clubs, wrestling (including training from professionally trained olympic athletes), gatka class (which is an ancient martial art which was used by the Gurus, is learnt) etc. There is also Punjabi classes for children on a Sunday where they learn Punjabi but also, where they can work to get qualifications for learning Punjabi. There is also a gym where there is both women’s and men’s sessions. There is many things to mention about Gurdwaras and their history, but I’ve got to keep things short, so If you would want to know more feel free to look at this website about what a Gurdwara is all about. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/ritesrituals/gurdwara_1.shtml