Norfolk Sikhs create new Gurughar
23/09/2010
After more than 10 years of trying to find a permanent place to worship, Norfolk’s Sikh community will have somewhere to call their own from next month.
A former second-hand furniture store in Norwich will open from October 10 as their religious temple.
The former Jarrett’s second-hand furniture store, which closed in 2007, was bought by members of the Sikh community last year and is being transformed into a temple.
Next month’s official opening will see a colourful procession from Eaton Parish Hall, where the group have met monthly up until now, to the new venue on Old Palace Road.
The temple is the realisation of a long-held dream for brothers Chanan and Sadar Suwali who have been trying to get a Sikh temple in the city for a number of years.
Chanan’s daughter, Malkit Sheri, who is helping to organise the procession, said the temple was something her father had always hoped for
She said: “My father and his brother have lived in Norwich a very long time and have always dreamed of having a Sikh temple here but it just didn’t come about. So we thought ‘we’re going to have to do something’, as the family was growing and didn’t have anywhere to meet or pray.
“For the past 10 years we’ve been trying to raise funding, tried to apply to local authorities for grants for a temple but didn’t have any joy so we decided we would buy a property between us.
“About 21 families funded the purchase of the property. We only bought the building in May last year. It’s still very small in comparison with what we need, but its a start and hopefully we might be able to extend it in the future.”
Mrs Sheri, a mother-of-three who lives off Colman Road, Norwich, said October 10 would be a really proud day for her family and the whole Sikh community. She added: “The procession should take a couple of hours because we’re going to have a huge float which will take the holy book to the temple. When we get there the holy book will be put into place and prayers will start.”
There are thought to be around 300 or so Sikhs in Norwich with a number of students from the University of East Anglia regularly attending services.
Up until now Sikhs living in Norfolk have had to travel to Ipswich[over an hours travel time] to find the nearest temple, but now it is hoped more people will be able to attend services and events.
The procession will start from Eaton Parish Hall at about midday on October 10 and is expected to reach the temple at about 2pm.
23/09/2010
After more than 10 years of trying to find a permanent place to worship, Norfolk’s Sikh community will have somewhere to call their own from next month.
A former second-hand furniture store in Norwich will open from October 10 as their religious temple.
The former Jarrett’s second-hand furniture store, which closed in 2007, was bought by members of the Sikh community last year and is being transformed into a temple.
Next month’s official opening will see a colourful procession from Eaton Parish Hall, where the group have met monthly up until now, to the new venue on Old Palace Road.
The temple is the realisation of a long-held dream for brothers Chanan and Sadar Suwali who have been trying to get a Sikh temple in the city for a number of years.
Chanan’s daughter, Malkit Sheri, who is helping to organise the procession, said the temple was something her father had always hoped for
She said: “My father and his brother have lived in Norwich a very long time and have always dreamed of having a Sikh temple here but it just didn’t come about. So we thought ‘we’re going to have to do something’, as the family was growing and didn’t have anywhere to meet or pray.
“For the past 10 years we’ve been trying to raise funding, tried to apply to local authorities for grants for a temple but didn’t have any joy so we decided we would buy a property between us.
“About 21 families funded the purchase of the property. We only bought the building in May last year. It’s still very small in comparison with what we need, but its a start and hopefully we might be able to extend it in the future.”
Mrs Sheri, a mother-of-three who lives off Colman Road, Norwich, said October 10 would be a really proud day for her family and the whole Sikh community. She added: “The procession should take a couple of hours because we’re going to have a huge float which will take the holy book to the temple. When we get there the holy book will be put into place and prayers will start.”
There are thought to be around 300 or so Sikhs in Norwich with a number of students from the University of East Anglia regularly attending services.
Up until now Sikhs living in Norfolk have had to travel to Ipswich[over an hours travel time] to find the nearest temple, but now it is hoped more people will be able to attend services and events.
The procession will start from Eaton Parish Hall at about midday on October 10 and is expected to reach the temple at about 2pm.
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