The gurdwara
Because God has no form, Sikhs do not have images of God in their place of worship, the gurdwaraSikh place of worship. Literally, the 'doorway to the Guru'.. Sikhs do have pictures of holy people, eg Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. However, they do not worship the Gurus. Rather, in public worship they remember the Gurus, listen to their teachings and share food, reinforcing the equality of all.
Worship in the gurdwara takes place in a hall called a diwan, meaning 'court of a ruler'.
Each morning the Guru Granth SahibThe Guru Granth Sahib is the most important Sikh holy book. It is a collection of songs, prayers and hymns from the Sikh Gurus and other holy men, as well as teachings from other faiths. It is treated as a living Guru. is carried in procession into the diwan and placed on a takht, a raised platform with a canopy over it to show that it is the ruler of the Sikhs.
The Guru Granth Sahib is covered with beautiful cloths called rumalas. An attendant waves a decorative fan, called a chauri, over it to purify the area before reading the scriptureA piece of writing that has religious significance..
Sikhs remove their shoes, cover their heads and bow before the Guru Granth Sahib when they enter the room. They make an offering of money or food for the gurdwara's kitchen, which is known as the langar.
Everyone sits on the floor, men on one side, women on the other. Services are informal and may last a long time, so people come in and out as they wish.