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A Gurdwara For The 21st Century: Adelaide, Australia

by GURMUKH SINGH (U.K.)

 

 

Adelaide, South Australia, is called the City of Churches.

The gurdwara, located at the main entrance to the city from the west, on the highway from Melbourne, has visibly added to the diversity of places of worship in this, one of the most beautiful and well planned cities in the world.

An interesting feature of this gurdwara is that the sangat hall rests on a massive rock, reminding one of dhaol dharam - the mythical bull of dharma referred to in Japji Sahib. It is an old heritage-listed building built in 1846, that is, within 10 years of the founding of Adelaide City in 1836.

The re-location of Adelaide's first gurdwara to this heritage-site a few years ago realized the vision of Sikh neurosurgeon, Dr Swaran Singh Khera, of a 21st century gurdwara complete with modern facilities.

Dr Swaran Singh may not be a religious missionary but his concern is for the image of the Sikh community of Adelaide - not the religious aspects of Sikhism. His knowledge, he claims in humility, is limited. Nevertheless, that does not stop him from locking horns with the "orthodox" grey-beards, amongst whom I include myself.

"Why have a golak in front of the Guru Granth Sahib ?" he argues, "Are we paying respects to the money in the golak or are we paying our respects to the Guru? The passage to the Guru should not be cluttered with golaks, unnecessary flowers, pictures of our 'gurus' and swords and other weapons, etc."

One may not agree with him on all aspects of his common sense approach, but he is a robust social activist in the true Sikhi spirit of chardi kalaa.

As a "Sikh Centre", the gurdwara caters for the spiritual and socio-cultural needs of the local Sikh community, while remaining warmly open to all. Programmes in the gurdwara service are planned in advance and punctuality is enforced. The youngish gurdwara Giani, Bhai Kuldip Singh, is required to prepare a pointed bilingual English/ Punjabi service every Sunday with multimedia aids, which are supported by students of gurbani.

Elderly retired teacher, Master Joginder Singh (formerly of Malaysia), gave the initial gurbani guidance, which is now continued by volunteers such as retired teacher Ajmer Singh Randhawa, lawyer Bahal Singh and  others, including some women.

The whole sangat participates in singing shabads, a tradition introduced by the world-famous bard Dya Singh of Australia, one of the founders of the gurdwara. [He also happens to be my brother!] Dr Harbans Singh Gill accompanies Bhai Kuldip Singh - a proficient kirtania and kathakaar - on the harmonium. My namesake, Gurmukh Singh, a dedicated sevadar, senior motor mechanic and car racing enthusiast, is roped in as spare tabla player. And there are many more youngish gursikh kirtanias and paatthis.

The sound system for kirtan was specially commissioned. Observed Dya Singh, "Kirtan must sound good - not sound like an intercom system on a railway platform!"

Inspired by those like Bibi Balbir Kaur (gurdwara secretary, and wife of recent Hind Ratan awardee, Dr Bhagwant Singh), women lead by doing dedicated seva.

Gurdwara presidents, like the incumbent, Balwant Singh, serve in turn. The team spirit and seva bhavna of all is most remarkable and refreshing.

Nevertheless, my personal observation is that the gurdwara is primarily being run by the women, all sophisticated and well-educated. I wonder what the anti-bibiaan-di-seva jathedars in Amritsar would say about that!

Quite significantly, this "modern" gurdwara is at a cross-roads, reminding us of the predicament Sikhi traditions are in today! It is a typical example of the trend in the Sikh diaspora to seek local solutions to the current and future needs of the community, both in spiritual and socio-cultural matters. This is anunfortunate consequence of the loss of credibility of the office holders at our central institutions, such as the Shromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takh Sahib.

Due to frequent controversies, lack of consistent direction on important Sikh issues; regression of practices by some into bipran (Brahmanic) ritualism; and take-over bids by derawadi kattar-panthis or just ambitious individuals even in these remote places, many gurdwaras feel no longer bound to seek central direction. In the process they sometimes end up locking horns with the traditional elements regarding, for example, chairs and tables in the langar hall; proper access for wheelchairs and chairs in the rear of the darbar hall for those unable to sit cross-legged during the service due to age or imfirmity.

Where this decentralisation of interpretation of gurmat and Sikh rehat maryada - by default - will lead the global Sikh community, remains to be seen.

[The author is a retired Principal (trade policy) in the United Kingdom Civil Service.]

April 5, 2011

Conversation about this article

1: Brijinder Singh (New York, U.S.A.), April 05, 2011, 4:45 PM.

I'm glad that services will also be held in English. It is a good way to connect with the youth. It would be nice if there were female granthis. I think they would serve as inspirational figures for young girls who are looking for role models. As the first and second generation Sikhs in the diaspora come into gurdwara management roles, it will be interesting to see which direction they will take the gurdwaras. How will services adapt to a changing sangat that may not speak Punjabi? How will a western upbringing affect the mindset of the sangat? Will they be more progressive? Will granthis be imported from Punjab, or will they be born and raised in the diaspora? Perhaps parents will send their children to Punjab to become educated in gurbani. Maybe seminaries will be established in various countries to teach granthis abroad. Decentralization of gurdwaras can be checked by establishing regulating bodies equivalent to the S.G.P.C. There is such an organization in America on the national level, and on certain state levels.

2: Manpreet Singh (Mumbai, India), April 05, 2011, 9:16 PM.

Very good. What the management and this article has not touched upon is - Why should today's youth come to the gurdwara? What do they get there? Lectures and more lectures (be they with multimedia and good quality sound). That's not enough. The article should have elaborated all the services that the gurdwara is doing or proposing to do towards engaging the youth. Regards and Gurfateh

3: Surinder Sikand (Foster City, CA, U.S.A ), April 05, 2011, 9:31 PM.

Bravo, well done, Kudos to the progressive management of the Adelaide Gurdwara. I hope management of gurdwaras in U.K. and U.S.A. will take the direction this gurdwara has taken.

4: Col. (Retd.) K.J.S. Sandhu (Secunderabad, India), April 06, 2011, 12:48 AM.

Dear Sikh Sangat: I have often wondered at the link between a Sikh and his faith! Having seen many sides of religion but only in India, I always wonder how we all have managed to totally leave it to a small group of traditionalists, many of them quite rustic. The path of Sikhi is in your and my hands, of course guided by divine inspiration. With deep reverence and humility and great fear, let me confess my fear that we are perhaps fading and failing in our practices. As individuals, we excel but as a community we fight and often fail. Power and the money are major detractors and I will not espouse the many areas begging for improvement. The best part is that it is only due to our values and spiritual practices that we shape our mind and soul. The brain makes new paths in 20-29 days and with focus and meditation, we cleanse our souls. This gives strength to the Sikh and great courage, as well as unique initiative and good communication - tools for a better life. But perhaps what is required is more work on the spirit and soul. I may be very wrong but my 54 years of life experience is that in extreme adversity, religion and faith help one face crisis and adversity. When we look inwards and if at that moment we see the Guru, then life changes and with it our problems. It has happened to me in combat, personal tragedy and accidents. The most powerful words spoken to the self are: "Uthh bhai sikha aaur iss mushkil daa samna kar", "Nischai kar apni jeet karo(n)" ... and it happens! This internal power has to be given to our youth and passed on to the new generations, so that the innate power of a Sikh countering 'savaa lakh' is kept alive, and help and inspire those yet to be born. Our articles of faith will face challenges and persecution but as the Gurus desired after each baptism in fire, the Sikh emerges purer and stronger, becoming a better person after passing through fire. 'Zindagi ke larai' but with principles as laid down for us. How this is done and what it involves is for our immense brain trust to evolve and this must happen in the gurdwara. I am inspired by my Sikh history, values and solemn ambience and sight of the Nishaan Sahib and rumble of the Nagaaras must remain. It is from the past that we draw strength for the future. Let's look at the people of Japan in this dark hour - all are united in one thought - we will weather this storm. The Sikh is and should be many, many dimensions higher - let's work to that! No offense or criticism is implied, only an inward look for vicchaar.

5: Gurmukh Singh  (London, United Kingdom), April 06, 2011, 1:24 AM.

S. Manpreet Singh ji has made some valid comments about aspects which could have been covered more fully; although, there are pointers in the article which S. Brijinder Singh ji has picked up. Bilingual presentation, online instant translations in English on two large screens, sangat of all age groups, women and men joining in gurbani singing, the running of the gurdwara by the sangat in fully participative mode, strict punctuality, gurbani classes led by gurbani students themselves, and all other modern facilities, do invite the participation of youth. S. Brijinder Singh ji has observed, "As the first and second generation Sikhs in the diaspora come into gurdwara management roles, it will be interesting to see which direction they will take the gurdwaras." That is the real concern of those in my age group.

6: Dya Singh (Melbourne, Australia), April 06, 2011, 2:08 AM.

We refer to the Adelaide Gurdwara as the five-star gurdwara! A former heritage-listed stone-and-concrete 160 year old building, formerly a Conference Centre, purchased at a very opportune time, and today - virtually priceless. It is the envy of other minority/ faith groups in South Australia. Dr. Khera has played a stirling yet reluctant role as the guiding force. Reluctant because he does not have much time for the 'dharam-de-thekedaars' who tend to nit-pick, and even daring a reluctant local sangat not willing to take risks in getting a grand place as the community centre and gurdwara. I remember when we were considering purchasing our first gurdwara - an old church. Some cautious-thinking leading lights of the community placed a ceiling of Aus. $80,000 for such a purchase which they felt that the sangat could afford. Dr. Khera's retort, typical of him was, "you can't buy a toilet for that price!" On his personal guarantee, he bought our first gurdwara for Aus $140,000. Today, with some very sound business decisions on his part, Adelaide boasts a gurdwara facility which is worth about $5 million! I am no longer living in Adelaide but I still get great satisfaction doing kirtan in this lovely gurdwara where punctuality is a norm, services are bilingual and prepared in advance and publicized, AV aids are used, and our youth do turn up. May Waheguru guide the sangat into the future.

7: Baljinder Singh Rathour (London, United Kingdom), April 06, 2011, 2:47 AM.

"Aap apni mat hai jeti/ barnat bhin bhin tohae teti". In Sikhi, one has the liberty to remember, recite or explain the Supreme God, in one's own words, and in one's own ways ... whatever way you choose to worship, all are acceptable. That is the beauty of Sikhism. Keep up the God (and Good) work.

8: Dr Mohinder Pal Singh (London, United Kingdom), April 06, 2011, 4:03 AM.

Congratulations to all of these enlightened, forward-looking Sikhs.

9: Bhagwant Singh (Manchester, England), April 06, 2011, 6:50 AM.

Fantastic gurdwara. I think it makes sense to ask questions about practice and get things right. In our time we asked questions about what was done in our gurdwaras in Singapore and the result has been some change in the way things are done. We cannot be driven by misguided loyalties and views on what is respect and what is tradition to determine what we do and how we do things at a gurdwara. I was disturbed by the fact the our local folks were washing the Nishaan Sahib with milk. I think it was a terrible waste of milk as it had to cleaned with soap and water after it was spilled on the ground. This was surely not healthy as the milk will support the growth of bacteria that could make someone ill. Good work will come if we challenge silly practices and push ahead with the core principles of the faith. Well done, hope we all learn from the wonderful work of our brothers and sisters in Adelaide.

10: Gurbaksh Singh Sanghera (Tracy, California, U.S.A.), April 06, 2011, 4:38 PM.

If we do not worry about symbols and rituals, the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib apply to all of humanity. I hope and pray we can live up to its universal values.

11: Satinder Sethi (Canada), April 07, 2011, 2:46 PM.

Congratulations for a step forward.

12: Manbir Singh (Ludhiana, Punjab), April 08, 2011, 4:04 AM.

Congratulations to Australian Sikhs for coming up with a gurdwara with a modern approach. Educated Sikhs would always have to fight the "dharam-de-thekedaars".

13: Sewak Singh (London, U.K.), April 14, 2011, 12:37 PM.

Everything looks good but we could not see the langar hall. Please post a picture of the langar hall on your website.

14: Gurmukh Singh (London, United Kingdom), April 16, 2011, 4:18 AM.

More pictures, including one of the langar hall, can be see at http://www.sewauk.blogspot.com/

15: Surinder Singhh Rhode (London, England), April 27, 2011, 7:29 PM.

Please accept my heartiest congratulations for establishing the above Gurdwara Sahib. Although I accept that my knowledge of Sikhi is limited, at the same time I strongly support the ideas of Dr Sarwan Singh concerning "matha tehna" to the golak rather than the Guru. The golak, kirpans, flowers, etc. should be set aside and the access to the Guru Granth Sahib should be clear. Again, well done and keep up the good work.

16: Harsimranjit Singh (Amritsar, Punjab), November 05, 2013, 2:09 AM.

We have a raagi jatha and would love a chance to do seva at your gurdwara. Please do let us know if we can be of any service.

17: Mahinder Singh (Malaysia), September 05, 2014, 2:53 PM.

Swaran Singh, a man with a vision, did not hesitate to invest for Adelaide's Sikhs and gave them a beautiful building that was converted into a gurdwara located at a very strategic junction and visible to all who pass this cross-road daily. Besides, people like Dya Singh, one important couple missed out is Bhain ji Gurdev Kaur and her husband Minder Singh. They too had tirelessly carried out seva at the old and the new gurdwaras. As Bhai Dya Singh ji aptly refers to them as 'dharam-de-thekedaars', these are the hidden threats of which we need to be cautious, as their agenda is to be in control of the gurdwara and run it like those back in India, where relatives are brought in as granthis, etc.

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