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The Golden Temple, officially known as the Harmandir Sahib.

A Gurdwara (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ, gurduārā or ਗੁਰਦਵਾਰਾ, gurdwārā; sometimes transliterated from Punjabi as gurudwara), meaning "the doorway to the guru", is a place of worship for Sikhs, the followers of Sikhism and also a place where weary travellers and pilgrims may rest and eat. A Gurdwara is also referred to as a "Sikh temple". The most significant gurdwara of the Sikhs is the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar, Punjab, India. The correct pronunciation, and the only proper spelling is unequivocally gurdwara, and not gurudwara, as the additional 'u' is not seen in the Punjabi script.^{[Contradictory]}

[edit] Visiting a Gurdwara

The Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Southall, UK.

A Gurudwara in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

A view inside a typical Darbar hall.

A gurudwara near the birthplace of Guru Nanak (the founder of Sikhism), Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.

A gurudwara in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The gurdwara is said to be the home of the Guru or doorway into a guru's house, the term being derived from Punjabi (Punjabi: ਗੁਰ), gurū, "A teacher, religious guide" and Punjabi (Punjabi: ਦੁਆਰਾ) duārā, m.s., "A door." People of all religious backgrounds or of no religious faith are welcomed into a Sikh Gurdwara. However, it is necessary that any visitors remove their shoes, wash their hands and cover their head with a rumāl before entering the Darbar Sahib. Visitors are also forbidden to go into the gurdwara while they are inebriated or possess alcohol,any sorces of meat, cigarettes or any intoxicating substances but are allowed to bring in money for after they have prayed they may give some money for the upkeeping of the Gurdwara. Near the Gurdwara is the Nishan Sahib, it symbolises the khalsa. Great respect is shown to the flag as it also symbolises all that Sikhs believe.

[edit] Customs and etiquette

Devotees will sit cross-legged on the floor. All those who enter the hall must remove their shoes, wash their hands and cover their heads before entering. On entering the hall, devotees walk slowly and respectfully to the main throne (called the takht) on which the Guru Granth Sahib rests. Devotees then stand before the Holy Scriptures, often say a silent prayer, then bow humbly. These manners and practices, though seemingly ritualistic in modern times are actually a well preserved extension of the ancient Punjabi practice of respect (for elders, ruling or religious persons).