Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina
Charlotte , NC
Address:
3214, Banner St , Durham, North Carolina,US North Carolina NC - 27704 Location Map
Open/Close Timings:
Monday - Friday Closed Saturday 6:30–9:00 pm Sunday 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Contact:
About:
Welcome to Sikh Gurudwara of North Carolina where visitors of all backgrounds are welcome regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or gender. This page has been put together to help first time visitors learn the practices of the Gurudwara.
Gurudwara Saheb is a two story building. The second floor is the main hall where the services are held.When arriving at the Gurudwara please dress comfortably as we sit on the floor for our services. Please consider bringing your own scarf to cover your head while inside the Gurudwara building. If you do not bring one, we will provide you with one.
As you enter the ground floor, you will find shoe-racks on either side. We go barefoot inside the Gurudwara building, and shoe-racks are provided for your convinience. We request that after removing your shoes/socks, visitors wash their hands before proceeding upstairs to the main hall or to the Langar hall on the ground floor. Bathrooms are across from the shoe-rack area.
Stairs angle up from either side of the ground floor. As you head up, please be sure to silence your cell phone and or pagers. Please, be sure that your head is covered with a scarf or a turban.Once upstairs, you will be facing an alter with an ornate "Palki" in the center. Over the Palkie (the seat) is a Chandoa, a canopy. A person is usually seated behind the Palki with a Chaor of fine white hair. All of these are suitable for the throne of a King.
On the Palki is placed Guru Granth Saheb Ji. To an average person Guru Granth Saheb Ji may be a book; however, to Sikhs, Guru is our God, our King, our saviour, and our guide all rolled into one. All of the pomp and show is to show devotion and respect.Please approach the alter respectfully. Bowing before the alter is encouraged as Guru is not just of Sikhs but of all humankind.
After bowing, please seat yourself to either side. During normal programming, Bhai Amarjit Singh or another member of Sangat is on the stage area singing the hyms that are taken directly from Guru Granth Saheb. There are two projector screens on either side of the hall where there visitors can read the translations of the hymns being sung line by line. If you are familiar with the words, you are encouraged to sing along.