Aim • To learn about the Golden Temple and it’s role in Sikh worship and ritual.
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/religious-studies-ks2- what-is-sikhism/zn4h382 What Is a Sikh? The khanda is the A Sikh is someone symbol of Sikhism. who worships and follows Sikhism. Guru Nanak was the first Guru. The tenth Guru Sikhs follow the said that there would be teachings of ten no more Gurus and that Gurus or special Sikhs were to follow the religious teachers. teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, which In Sikhism, all contains the Sikh holy people are equal. scripture.
A Sikh believes in Sikhs believe that the best way to one God. worship is to live honestly and care about other people.
Photo courtesy of jasleen_kaur (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Where is the Golden Temple? The Golden Temple is located in the holy Sikh city of Amritsar.
Amritsar
India The Golden Temple The Golden Temple is the most famous Sikh temple in the world. It is also known as God’s Temple or Harmandir Sahib.
The Golden Temple is a sacred place for Sikhs. What does sacred mean?
Work on the Golden Temple was completed in 1601.
It symbolises the magnificence and strength of Sikhs all over the world.
There are four entrances to the Golden Temple on the north, south, east and west of the building.
Why might this be?
Sikhs welcome everyone, from the four corners of the world. Pilgrimage A pilgrimage, or yatra, is a journey made to a special place. Many Sikhs make a pilgrimage to the Golden Temple for two important reasons:
To pay their respect to and worship the Guru Granth Sahib. This is the Sikh holy book. It is unique because instead of a person, the Guru Granth Sahib is considered the supreme To bath in the Amrit Saras Kund (Pool spiritual authority. It contains the writings of Immortality) for spiritual of Sikh Gurus and also people form other purification. It is believed to have faiths. The Guru Granth Sahib gives Sikhs rules on morals and ethics and for living a miraculous healing powers. good life. Can you think of any other religious Do you know of any other Holy Books? ceremony where water is important?
Photo courtesy of Sean Ellis (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Rituals
Like other religions, Sikhs follow a ritual when entering the Golden Temple.
Everyone sits on floor Everyone must remove People have to cover to show they are their shoes. their heads. equal before God.
Photo courtesy of Haresh Patel (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Inside the Golden Temple
What might you expect to find inside the Golden Temple?
There are no religious Anyone can lead the The Guru Granth Sahib statues, pictures or service - there are no candles. Sikhs like to is the focus of the priests. Golden Temple. imagine God. Did You Know?
The Golden Temple is mostly made from marble, but it is also covered in gold plate on the 35% of all visitors to the outside. Golden Temple are non- 2 Sikhs. The steps into the Golden Temple go down, not up as in The Golden Temple most holy places. This is 5 attracts around 3 million deliberate to create a sense of visitors a month. In humility. The foundation stone of the comparison, the Taj Golden Temple was laid by a Mahal receives 3 million Muslim saint called Mian Mir. visitors in a year! 3
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Photo courtesy of Ajay Tallam (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution What is a Langar?
Sikh temples or gurdwaras are gathering spaces for the community.
Sikhs gather What might Sikhs do together for food when they gather and shelter as well together? as to celebrate and worship.
The largest langar of any temple saw around 35 000 people fed each day by the sewadars. What is a Langar?
The food served after prayer is vegetarian Volunteers or Visitors to the and is known as sewadars serve and Gurdwara sit in lines langar. prepare food. known as pangat.
Photo courtesy of jagdishsarai, Tupinambah and Jean-Pierre Dalbéra (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution Watch this clip of a Langar luncheon.
Video courtesy of Nadine Natour (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution