Gurudwara Singh Sabha Madrid Centro
Gurudwara Singh Sabha Madrid (Spain)
Calle de la cabeza 10, 28012 Madrid, Spain
The Sikh community had been wishing for long time to have a Gurudwara in Madrid . It was a challenge for the small Sikh community, which consists of only a dozen families, to take the initiative and persuade other Indians to contribute funds to start a Gurdwara. Finally the Gurudwara was opened in Madrid on 8th August 2008.
What is a Gurudwara?
During the times of the early Gurus, Sikh places of worship were referred to as dharamsalas. They were a place where Sikhs could gather to hear the Guru speak or sing hymns. As the Sikh population continued to grow Guru Hargobind introduced the word Gurdwara, meaning the gateway through which the Guru could be reached. Thereafter all Sikh places of worship came to be known as Gurdwaras. Any place where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed and treated with due respect can be referred to as a Gurdwara, whether it is a room in ones house of a separate building. The main function of the Gurdwara is to provide Sikhs with a meeting-place for congregational worship through ‘Keertan’, the collective singing of God's praise through the Shabads (Sacred Hymns) in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee, and seeking support and guidance from the Guru.
Guru Granth Sahib
‘Guru’ literally means ‘the Dispeller of Darkness’. ‘Gu’ means light, and ‘Rū’ means darkness, representing that the Guru dispels ignorance through enlightenment. The Guru has multiple roles. The Guru inspires, leads the community, enlightens and uplifts individuals and society, as well as provides a roadmap for living a complete perfect life. The Guru is the ‘Shabad’ (Divine Infinite Wisdom) revealed and manifested through the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Jee, and nine succeeding human Guruswho developed the faith and manifested the completed form of the Sikh Nation. Sikhs consider the revelation contained within the Sacred Scripture to be the living Word of God, communicated directly through the enlightened Gurus and Saints (Bhagats) who came from various socio-economic and religious backgrounds that shared the Universal religion of Guru Nanak Dev Jee and had experienced God.
Other two functions are carried out in all public Gurdwaras. The KATHA ,Katha which is reading of the Guru Granth Sahib and explanations. The Second main function which is carried out at every Gurdwara is the Langar, free community kitchen for all visitors of all religions. Along with these main functions Gurdwaras around the world also serve the Sikh community in many other ways including, libraries of Sikh literature, schools to teach children Gurmukhi and the Sikh scriptures and charitable work in the community on behalf of Sikhs.
