Seating In Gurdwara

[RD1]

At least here in Gurdwaras in Canada, males and females sit on different sides. Does anyone know with certainty if this is actually a part of religious protocol, or is it something that has more so culturally evolved?

 

[Harkiran Kaur]

At least here in Gurdwaras in Canada, males and females sit on different sides. Does anyone know with certainty if this is actually a part of religious protocol, or is it something that has more so culturally evolved?

There is no actual rule on this. Though it can get crowded sometimes and the women prefer to not be shoulder to shoulder with men they don't know (more for distraction than anything I guess) but there is no actual rule. If one side is crowded then sit on the other. Or sit with your husband etc. If female. Nobody will stop you.

It's not anything religious at all I guess it's cultural.

 

[RD1]

Thanks for the reply! That is what I was leaning towards - it is something more cultural, or just a routine thing that has developed. Silkhism does not seem to concern itself with such nuances. And such gender segregation does not seem to fit with Sikh teachings.

 

[ActsOfGod]

Thanks for the reply! That is what I was leaning towards - it is something more cultural, or just a routine thing that has developed. Silkhism does not seem to concern itself with such nuances. And such gender segregation does not seem to fit with Sikh teachings.

Since there isn't any strict rule on this, and people are free to sit anywhere they feel comfortable, it probably doesn't qualify to be classified as gender segregation.

It probably evolved as a convenient practice or methodology to allow the sangat to feel most comfortable so that they could focus on the Shabad. Which, after all, is the most important thing to focus on in Guru Sahib's darbar, don't you think?

[AoG]