Exploring World Faiths Groups has been looking into the Sikhism faith by self learning and group discussion.

In March we visited the Sikh Temple at Barking known as Gurwara Singh Sabha London East. This massive temple has 3 prayer halls, a huge dining room and education rooms. It is three storys of white marble, crowned by a dome. The Gurdwara has 4,000 members and cost £13.5 million raised through donations and a bank loan. The kitchen caters for up to 1,000 people and free meals known as langar are served twice daily to people regardless of religion or social status.

Our U3A group was made very welcome by both staff and visitors at the temple and after covering our hair with a scarf, we were given a guided tour by one of the Elders which lasted a couple of hours as we asked many questions.

We also spent time in the main prayer hall listening to a group of female worshipers singing and playing music. We were then invited to have a meal in the dining room where we carefully choice the amount on our plate as we knew that not finishing the food is frowned on.

Best wishes, Cheryl

---

Click on any thumbnail photo for full size and quality. Scroll using < > symbols.

---