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

sikhconvert · Oct 15, 2016

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!!

Harry Haller · Oct 16, 2016

why are you nervous?

Seeker2013 · Oct 16, 2016

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.

sikhconvert · Oct 16, 2016

Harry Haller said:
why are you nervous?

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..

RD1 · Oct 16, 2016

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 · Oct 17, 2016

RD1 said:
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!

Harry Haller · Oct 17, 2016

sikhconvert said:
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..

I am an Indian and I have the same problem

sikhconvert · Oct 17, 2016

Harry Haller said:
I am an Indian and I have the same problem

Lol

harmanpreet singh · Oct 17, 2016

do you tried to talk to someone ?

sikhconvert · Oct 17, 2016

harmanpreet singh said:
do you tried to talk to someone ?

I said Sat Sri Akal but no one said anything back.

Admin · Oct 17, 2016

sikhconvert said:
I said Sat Sri Akal but no one said anything back.

This is a very strange experience indeed... Sikhs are known to be the most hospitable people... Curious which Gurdwara did you go?

Harkiran Kaur · Oct 17, 2016

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.

Admin · Oct 17, 2016

@sikhconvert, from your profile, you are from Los Vegas... @Tejwant Singh, also lives in Los Vegas...

sikhconvert · Oct 17, 2016

I would definitely prefer to have someone show me around next time!

sukhsingh · Dec 5, 2016

Y

sikhconvert said:
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 · Dec 5, 2016

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 · Dec 6, 2016

sikhconvert said:
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.