Guide to Visiting a Gurdwara

 Welcome to the Gurdwara Sikh Sangat, Euless, Texas (also referred to as a Sikh Temple or GuruGhar, or home of the Guru) – we would love for you to join us for some peaceful reflection – including meditation, music and meals!

Anyone is welcome to worship  and perform service (seva) in a Gurdwara regardless of caste, color, or creed. A specific protocol of worship and seva exists for the Gurdwara – here are some things to keep in mind:

• Be modestly attired (please no shorts for men or short skirts for women)
• Cover your head at all times while in Dewan Hall, Langer Hall and Kitchen (no hats or caps please. Rumaals/bandanas available).
• Remove  your shoes and wash your hands before entering the Dewan Hall. No shoes  are allowed in Langer Hall, Kitchen or the Main Hall.
• Bow respectfully before the Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Book)
• Offer any donation such as flowers, food items, or money.
• Sit quietly on the floor with your legs crossed, and face towards Guru Granth Sahib.
• Benches are provided in the back for those who are handicapped or unable to sit on the floor.
• Please silence your (and if you are with children, theirs as well) phones/electronics.
• Accept Parsad, a sanctified delicacy made from flour, butter, and sugar. Please don’t  bring any pre-made prasad from home. Instead, you can donate any items  like flour, sugar, butter and oil to our kitchen staff.
• Enjoy a free vegetarian meal from the Langar hall – egg or meat-based products are not allowed inside the Gurdwara complex.
• Please  make sure that silence is maintained in the main hall, and be  respectful of the Guru Granth Sahib at all times while you are in the  Main Hall.

Langar/Kitchen Protocol

• Only volunteers doing food service (seva) are allowed in the kitchen for hygiene and safety purposes.
• Small children are not allowed in the kitchen, as there are hot surfaces and frying.
• Please cover your head and remove your shoes before coming into the Langar Hall or kitchen, if you haven’t already done so.
• If there are any leftover Langar items after everyone has eaten, you are welcome to take them from the designated spot (Ziploc bags available). Please only take what you need.

Guru Granth Sahib is the central focus of the Sikh worship service. The main service consists of singing verses from the Guru Granth Sahib.

Here is the approximate schedule of events every Sunday:

• Recitation of Japji Sahib early morning
• Either  Sukhmani Sahib recitation (9:30 am – 10:30 am) or Asa di Vaar singing  from 10:15 am to 10:45 am. If there is an Akhand Path going on, the  Samapti will take place around 10:30 am (and no Asa di Vaar). Breakfast is generally available at this time in the Langar Hall.
• After the main worship service, a Sikh offers a prayer of Ardas, where every one present stands.
• A final verse (Hukamnama, or the guidance of the day) is read aloud. It  is a sign of respect to sit down on your spot if you are walking in  while the Hukamnama is being read, and continue after it is finished.
• Prasad is served after the Hukamnama, and that concludes the morning service.

In the evening, after reading Nitnem Banis, and Guru Granth Sahib is put to rest with a Sukhasan ceremony.