Role and Relevance of Gurudwaras in Global Context – An Interview
Growing up in New Delhi, India, I do not think I can recall a time when I did not know of the Gurudwara. There was one on the same block as my home—where I lived for the first eighteen years of my life. Its crystal-white dome, the echoes of the evening Rehras Sahib and the taste of the fresh Kadha Prasad are memories I associate with home and peace.
Since then, I have not been so lucky to have one so close to where I lived, but I have found many worldwide. Each is different, yet so similar. It is hard to define gurudwaras in one big umbrella. They vary stylistically so often, from the more traditional structures from 19th century Punjab to basements in brownstones in the West. Different in form but same in function and character.
Gurudwaras around the world are not characteristically defined like churches or mosques with distinct architectural features like the Gothic buttress or the Ogee arch, which stylistically distinguish and better define such structures. Instead, they are defined by function—the langar, the community culture and most of all, the open door. As an architect, I always saw them as civic spaces, as spaces where one is free to gather and assemble regardless of where one comes from. But this definition is incomplete at best. The gurudwara is, first and foremost, a place of worship. Therein lies a question then.
To answer this underlying question and expand my understanding of the gurudwara, I reached out to Dr. Devinder Pal Singh, a renowned academic and the Director at the Center for Understanding Sikhism in Mississauga, Canada. His research on Sikh Studies and culture is unparalleled. What follows is our conversation in the form of an interview wherein he discusses the complexities and simplicities of the Gurudwara and its role in Sikhism, North America and the world at large.
Ekam Singh: What is the role of the gurudwara for the Sikh community?
Dr. Singh: Gurdwaras have crucial importance to the religious, social, and political life of the Sikhs. They have performed a critical part in developing the Sikh religious traditions and shaping Sikh history. Since its inception, the role of a gurudwara (initially called Dharamsal) for the Sikh community has been manifold. First, it is where the Sikhs assemble for worship and prayer. There are three main functions carried out in all public Gurdwaras. One is Kirtan - the singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib; another is Katha - the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib and explanations. The third primary function is Langar (free community kitchen) for all visitors.
Along with these primary functions, Gurdwaras around the world also serve the Sikh community in many other ways including, libraries of Sikh literature, museums of historical artifacts, schools to teach children Gurmukhi, the script of the Sikh scriptures, training centers for martial arts (e.g., Gatka, Judo, Karate etc.), and charitable works. In addition, various ceremonies (e. g., naming of a child, marriage, funeral etc.) are performed at Gurudwaras. Finally, gurudwaras also act as assembly places for the Sikhs to reflect upon and take appropriate decisions about the Community’s critical social, religious, and political issues.
Ekam Singh: What is the role of the gurudwara for communities outside Sikhism?
Dr. Singh: People of all faiths are welcome at a gurudwara. Initially, a gurudwara was a place where Sikhs could go to hear the human Gurus speak. Generally, there are four doors for the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum in a Gurdwara. It suggests that everyone is welcome, regardless of one’s status, occupation, gender, religion, caste, color or creed.
At the time of community and national emergency, Gurudwaras act as shelter/refuge for the people. For instance, during the devastating fire that almost engulfed the town of Fort McMurray, Alberta, in 2016, the Sikh community came together to collect 1 million dollars in food and clothing for those affected by the fires. In addition, nine semi-trucks full of food and clothing were sent to the victims by the gurdwara leaders in the spirit of Seva (selfless voluntary service) and Sarbat da Bhalla (well-being of all people).
Another way that the Sikhs have manifested their service ethic to the society is through the tradition of Langar (the community kitchen) in the Gurdwara, where free warm meals are served to all visitors, without any distinction of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, or economic status. Currently, the Sikhs have taken the Langar outside of the gurudwaras. Now, they serve meals in other venues, even at the places where people are suffering from natural and manmade disasters. For instance, UNITED SIKHS and the Yangon Sikh Gurdwara served Langar to thousands of Myanmar cyclone survivors in 2008. During 2010, United Sikhs' volunteers served Langar to survivors of the earthquake in Haiti. The Sikhs also served Langar to flood-hit victims in Kerala (2018), Chennai, Tamil Nadu (2018), Uttara Khand (2018), Assam (2019), and Bihar (2021) in India.
Through its Langar Aid project, Khalsa Aid International, UK serves the homeless, vulnerable, and those struggling with poverty in the UK. They also work internationally to provide humanitarian aid in disaster and war zones. For instance, in 2015, it set up a free bakery near the war zone to feed fleeing Syrians.
The inclusiveness and Oneness of all humankind are much renowned Sikh doctrines. Sikhs took these concepts beyond the Sikh community by helping and serving others without discrimination. Consequently, now even Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and many others donate towards Langar, and do it because this is what Oneness looked like and felt like.
Ekam Singh: How do you think Gurudwaras responded to the pandemic?
Dr. Singh: It is difficult to outline all activities taken up by the worldwide Gurudwaras to combat the Corona pandemic. But I hope a few would suffice. For instance, a few media reports are as follows:
- In March 2020, when the New York m