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So Nervous! - Going To Gurdwara For The First Time!

sikhconvert

SPNer
Aug 27, 2016
18
16
27
Las Vegas
Aww I'm so nervous! Tomorrow is my first visit to a gurdwara. I emailed them, they never responded. :/ So it looks like I'm just going in tomorrow. I have no connections to the Sikh community so wish me luck! I'm very nervous!!
 

Seeker2013

Writer
SPNer
Aug 29, 2013
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I understand your anxiety.

The thing is there's nothing to be anxious of . Most , if not all, sikhs are warm people.
Anyone is welcome inside a sikh temple, provided the person is not inebriated with alcohol or carrying anything like alcohol, tobacco, etc,
but I am sure you are not carrying it anyways.

So you don't have anything to worry about. Footwear is not allowed inside the main hall of gurudwara, so you remove it outside and cover your head with some clean piece of cloth, a bandana, dupatta or even a kerchief is ok !

Thats it ! :) nothing to worry about .
God is omnipresent , so worry not .

PS : since you're from US I guess, you're not the only non-indian sikh . There's many of them in espanalo . I wish you good luck sister in your spiritual journey to almighty.
 

RD1

Writer
SPNer
Sep 25, 2016
361
153
Sometimes the culture in a Gurdwara can be that no one really socializes much. However, you are always welcome there. Once you get more used to it, it will become more comfortable!
 

sikhconvert

SPNer
Aug 27, 2016
18
16
27
Las Vegas
Sometimes the culture in a Gurdwara can be that no one really socializes much. However, you are always welcome there. Once you get more used to it, it will become more comfortable!

I hope so! I feel it would have been a lot better with a Sikh friend showing me what to do. It made me wish I knew any Sikhs personally! :eek:
 

Harkiran Kaur

Leader

Writer
SPNer
Jul 20, 2012
1,393
1,921
This is so strange that nobody responded when you said Sat Sri Akal. Can we know which Gurdwara was this? (Maybe by PM to avoid any issues pointing them out publicly) Maybe we can talk to the management committee and remind them that Sikhi is universal, and that visitors should be welcomed, openly, and not ignored.

At our Gurdwara here locally in Halifax, ANY new person (Sikh or not, Punjabi or not) are approached by the secretary and their name written down, and then after ardaas and hukamnama, when they do announcements, they list the newcomers and get them to stand, and then whole sangat says Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh to them, and then we tell them they are welcomed anytime they want to come to Gurdwara Sahib.
 

sukhsingh

Writer
SPNer
Aug 13, 2012
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Because exactly what I thought would happen did happen. I went, I was the only non-Indian, no one wanted to talk to me, or really sit next to me. Maybe next time will be better..
You should not be deterred! In fact many people are probably unsure of how to treat you, I know when I am at the gurdwara and meet see someone who is not Indian I am worried that I don't want to be patronising and "take them under my wing" in fact rather do the opposite and do no more or less than I would with any other of the Sangat. You have every right to be there it's guru ghar and for all to enjoy and participate in. Maybe next time you should approach someone and ask them how you can participate in sewa, helping with langar. Or don't even ask you don't need permission, after taking langar yourself and taking gur-darshan just go back to langar hall and and join in? If people are eating ask them if they need anything, water, more roti, tidy up the chairs etc. There is no hierarchy! Good luck and good for you ☺
 

Tejwant Singh

Mentor
Writer
SPNer
Jun 30, 2004
5,028
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Henderson, NV.
Sikhconvert ji,

Guru Fateh.

I am sorry to know about your experience at the Gurdwara. If you went to Baba Deep Singh Gurdwara, please let me know then I can arrange someone meet you and introduce you to the Sangat the next time. Please let me know.

Thanks and apologies for your experience.

Tejwant Singh
 

Sikhilove

Writer
SPNer
May 11, 2016
608
166
Aww I'm so nervous! Tomorrow is my first visit to a gurdwara. I emailed them, they never responded. :/ So it looks like I'm just going in tomorrow. I have no connections to the Sikh community so wish me luck! I'm very nervous!!

You can't Convert to Sikhism because Sikhi isn't a religion, it's Truth. Truth is beyond the shackles of religions and sects.

One of Guru Nanak Jis first messages was that there is No Hindu, No Muslim, hence no religion, only One, Truth.
 
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