Sikh Temple Protocols
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND

People of every faith and denomination are welcome at Sikh Gurdwaras. All that is required is that the visitors follow these easy protocols:

1. Head Covering: In the western world removing a hat is generally a sign of respect, as when greeting a woman, or entering someone’s home. But in the Sikh culture, wearing a cloth covering is a required and necessary sign of respect when entering a temple. A simple bandana or handkerchief tied to the head will do. Most Gurdwaras provide a bin full of head covering cloths that visitors are welcome to use, if they don’t have one of their own. If you have a hat (in Texas some folks love to wear their cowboy hats everywhere!), please remove the hat and tie a bandana on your head instead.

2. Remove Shoes: In India all temples, whether Sikh, Hindu, Jain or Buddhist, require people to remove their shoes before entering. Some temples even provide a shallow pool of water where congregants will wash their feet before entering. Gurdwaras are always built with a shoe storage in the front where one can leave one’s shoes before entering. A guest should remove their shoes before entering any room where the Sikh holy book, called the Granth Sahib, is displayed.

3. Floor Seating: It is common in India in temples as well at traditional homes to sit on the floor. Sitting cross legged on the ground is the most common way to sit in prayer. Gurdwaras in the west continue this tradition. Floors are kept immaculately clean, and usually covered with rugs. (In some Gurdwaras there may be chairs in the back of the room to accommodate older citizens who find it difficult to sit and stand due to arthritis and old age.)