Gurdwara is the name given to the Sikh place of worship, commonly addressed as Sikh temple in the western world. "Temple" is a misnomer in context of a Gurdwara and the Sikhs object to the use of this word for their place of worship. To understand the objection of the Sikhs to the word "temple", imagine how a Christian would react if St Peter's Basillica is called "a Catholic Synagogue" or a "Christian Mosque". In the Gurdwara, the Sikh scripture is recited and sung and its exegesis done. Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a high palanquin under a canopy in the middle of one end of the hall. The Gurdwara is a place where the "Word of the Guru" reigns supreme, not only in its recitation but also in practice. It won't be an overstatement to say that a Sikh's life revolves around the Gurdwara, which is why wherever there are even ten Sikh families, they establish a Gurdwara. All the ceremonies relating to birth, initiation, marriage, death and celebration of festivals centers around the Gurdwara.
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