15. Worship in the Gurdwara

When Sikhs go to the gurdwara to worship, they will cover their head, remove their shoes and wash their hands.  When they enter the prayer hall they will go up to the Guru Granth Sahib and bow down, letting their head touch the floor.  They will offer a donation of food or money.  They will then move back, making sure that they do not turn their back on the holy book.  This would be disrespectful.  They will sit on the floor facing the front.  They can enter or leave the prayer hall whenever they wish.  Before leaving, they will bow to the Guru Granth Sahib. 

People can always come to the gurdwara for private worship at any time of the day.  The Granthi reads the Guru Granth Sahib at the beginning and the end of the day, and at times through the day, whether or not anyone is in the prayer hall. 

At certain times acts of worship or services are held. The service will contain:

· reading and explaining passages from the Guru Granth Sahib
· music and singing
· prayers
· a talk to explain ways to be a good Sikh
· sharing karah parshad at the end of the service.  Karah parshad is a sweet   mixture made of flour, butter and sugar.  It is brought around in a bowl at the end of the service, and a piece is placed in the hands of all the worshippers (see picture above). 
After the service all the worshippers will go to the langar (kitchen) to share a meal together.

 
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