Gurdwara

We knew we were definitely going to get lost, but we hadn’t anticipated that it would be as soon as we got of the train. My friend and I were searching for the Gurdwara in Richmond Hill, New York. In our search to enter the “House of the Guru” we asked directions from an Indian storeowner, who had a bit of trouble speaking English, and we couldn’t understand what he was saying. And, naturally, we got lost again. We walked all the way to 101st street, when we realized that the neighborhood looked nothing like where a Gurdwara would be situated. So we reluctantly walked up to an old Punjabi man sitting on the park bench and my friend asked him in Punjabi if he knew where the Gurdwara might be. I couldn’t follow the conversation yet again, because obviously, I didn’t know any Punjabi. But I was pleased by his friendliness. He walked with us all the way to the Gurdwara, which was located nearly where we started off!

It was the first time I ever stepped into a Gurdwara, and I found it absolutely wonderful. The serene atmosphere, the calm voice reading from the Guru Granth Sahib and the magnificent Khanda symbol. I followed my friend up the carpet, watching her every move, trying to cover my head with the duppatta, making sure I didn’t look like a complete fool. I donated some money, bowed down in respect, and when I looked up again, my jaw dropped open in pure wonder. From up close, the setting looked so much more beautiful. Flower vases sat on both sides and the yellow lamps next to the flowers reflected off the silver Khanda. The silver fringes on the yellow sheets that covered the Guru Granth Sahib glinted under the light, making everything seem much more grander. Next to this, was a small stage with a microphone where the Keertans were sung, and on the wall behind the stage was a marvelous picture of the Amritsar Gurdwara.

My eyes darted back and forth across the room, taking in as much as possible and at the same time listening to my friend as she explained the history of Sikhism. Then we walked over to the next room to have some Langar, which consisted of Roti, Sarso-ka-Saag, Raajma, Fried Chenna and Rice (which was the tastiest I’ve ever had!). The room had pictures of the ten Gurus, each superb in their own way, painted with bright colors and formal expressions. I was in awe at every little thing I found. I compared everything to Hinduism, how a few things were similar, and how many were different. It made me think about my beliefs, my teachings and made me appreciate so many more things that existed in this exquisite world.