The Main Hall, Guru’s court or the Guru’s presence
The Main Hall, Guru’s court or the Guru’s presence.
The term “Darbar Sahib” refers to a court or a place of assembly where people come to pay their respects and seek guidance. In Sikhi, the term is often used to refer to the Guru’s court or the Guru’s presence.
Darbar Sahib, also known as Harmandir Sahib or the Golden Temple, is the most important and revered Gurdwara (place of worship) for Sikhs. It is located in the city of Amritsar, in the state of Punjab, India.
Before entering Darbar Sahib all Sangat (visitors) should have removed their shoes, covered their head and not be under any influence of Alcohol or Drugs.
An offering of money can be placed inside, not thrown towards, the Golak which is placed in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. This is used to run the Gurdwara and the Langar. The offering is not charity but a sharing of God’s gifts. A person may also offer food, something the Gurdwara uses, flowers, or just some words of a sincere Thank you.
Upon entering the Darbar Sahib we walk, with folded hands, towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and Matha Tek, bowing down to touch the forhead to the ground while kneeling and then standing up again with folded hands. This shows respect to the Guru (Guru is the Bani).
After Matha Tek to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji we walk towards an empty seating area while greeting the congregation with folded hands
Sikhs do not bow before the “book” as some type of idol worship, but to the Bani (scriptures within Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji).
In a Gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, seating arrangements are typically gender-neutral and everyone is expected to sit together in the congregation. The main hall of the Gurdwara is called the Darbar Sahib, which is the sanctum where Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (the Sikh holy scripture) is placed on a throne, known as a Takht. There is no such rule that men and women should sit separately in the Darbar Sahib. Not all women will be comfortable to sit alongside men they don’t know. There is no designated area for the men or women to sit. The areas are designated by the Sangat itself.
In the Darbar Sahib, there may be mats or carpets on the floor for people to sit on. Regardless of the seating arrangement, everyone is expected to sit on the floor as a sign of equality and to remove any distinctions based on social status.
In some Gurdwaras, separate sections may be reserved for elders, disabled individuals, or families with small children. However, these sections are not based on gender and everyone is welcome to sit wherever they feel comfortable. Overall, the seating in a Gurdwara is arranged to promote community and unity among all those who come to worship.
Most people sit cross-legged. Seats and cushions are not allowed. No-one should sit with their feet pointing towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Upon leaving the Darbar Sahib we walk, with folded hands, towards Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and Matha Tek, touching the floor with our forehead.
After Matha Tek to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji we walk towards the exit door if different from the entrance door while greeting the congregation with folded hands
The main hall of a gurdwara, also known as the Darbar Sahib or Diwan Hall, is the central area of worship in a Sikh place of worship. Some of its notable features include:
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