Before you enter the Gurdwara there are various notices, reminding you not to take tobacco, meat or alcohol in the Gurdwara with you. It is also forbidden to go into the Gurdwara if you are under the influence of alcohol or just smoked. There will also be notices reminding you to switch mobile phones off. Before you enter the Diwan hall or the Langar hall, there are severally important features you will see, these are the shoe rack, as you must take your shoes off before entering any parts of the Gurdwara. Both men and women have to cover their heads as a sign of respect for the Guru Granth Sahib, there is usually a basket of headscarves for visitors to use. Anyone that visits the Gurdwara must wash there hands and face to make sure that they are clean, also to make sure they are pure in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. All these actions are done because they are signs of respect towards the Guru Granth Sahib.
The Diwan hall, which is also known as the prayer hall is the main feature of the Gurdwara and is were the Guru Granth Sahib is present. The Guru Granth Sahib is the 11th Guru, after the death of Guru Gobind Singh there was to be no more human Gurus, Sikhs would be guided by the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib contains hymns composed by other Sikh Gurus, it also contains hymns from non-Sikhs like Hindus and Muslims. The Guru Granth Sahib is a collection of 1430 pages, with 3384 hymns. It starts with the Mool Mantar, which are the beliefs of Sikhs set by Guru Nanak. Guru Arjan completed the first edition in 1604, the second edition was completed by Guru Gobind Singh in 1706. Guru Granth Sahib means ‘everlasting Guru of the Sikh people’. ‘Gu’ means darkness and ‘Ru’ means light, so guru means enlightener or given of light, and knowledge.
The Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a raised platform which is called a Takht and is covered by a canopy called Chanani or Palki. The Guru Granth Sahib is kept wrapped in Rumalas, which are holy cloths. There is either a man or woman sitting behind the Guru Granth Sahib who is called the Granthi, who reads it to the congregation and is responsible for reading the Ardas. The Ardas is a recital of three formal prayers to the congregation.
The Granthi also constantly fans the Guru Granth Sahib with a Chauri, which is a fan made of yak hair. This is done as a sign of respect towards the Sikh scriptures.
In most Gurdwara’s, by the side of the Guru Granth Sahib there are musicians, which are called Ragis. The name Ragis was given by the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan, the Guru encouraged his Sikhs to learn how to play music. The instruments used in Gurdwara’s can be divided into four categories, stroke, bow, lute and percussion. It is prohibited that other members of the congregation sing with the Ragis. In front of the Guru Granth Sahib is money boxes were Sikhs can make donations, they can also make donations of food. After bowing in front of the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhs make sure they don’t turn there backs or point there feet towards the Guru, as it shows great disrespect.
It is a Sikh tradition that Karah Parshad is given out. It is usually distributed just outside the Diwan hall by a woman who makes it there. Karah Parshad is made with equal parts wheat, flour, sugar, and butter. The Karah Parshad is given out equally without discrimination or favor as a sign of equality.
The Langar hall is usually located next to or near the Diwan hall. Langar is the term used in Sikh religion for free food that is served in a Gurdwara. Only vegetarian meals are served and all the meals are prepared and cooked by volunteer members of the congregation which are called Seva. Seva means the voluntary and selfless service for others. All the voluntary members are equal and share equal responsibility which comes with the maintenance of the Gurdwara, including the Langar. The Langar meal is eaten whilst sitting cross-legged on the floor like the Diwan hall, unlike the Diwan hall men and women are free to sit together, as you do not have to concentrate on God so much. You can have as many meals as you like but it is exceptionally disrespectful to leave any food on your plate. Sharing food is important as the Gurus taught Sikhs that they should share their possessions with others.
If the Gurdwara is big enough they would have a Sach Khand which is a rest room for the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib is treated as a living Guru. In the evening the Guru Granth Sahib is wrapped in clean Rumalas and respectfully carried to the Sach Khand, in the morning the Guru Granth Sahib is brought back into the Diwan hall.