Guru Nanak Gurudwara-Smethwick

Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick (Birmingham) (UK) Europe's first and first biggest Gurdwara (Sikh Temple). This Gurdwara is the first Gurdwara, in the history of UK and Europe, to be purchased and used purely for the purpose of worship by the Sikh Community in the United Kingdom. The Total Gurdwara spans an area of about 78,000 square metres and the building is four storey's high. Guru Nanak Gurdwara is a non-profit organisation, located in the in the West Midlands, UK. It was established in 1961 and is one of the most prominent and influential Sikh Gurdwaras in the world. The Gurdwara Sahib is open 7 days a week and holds daily programs for local Sikhs and visitors to pray and seek blessings. It has more than 10000 weekly congregation. A Church building at 130 High Street in Smethwick was purchased. With the Guru's blessings we had a Gurdwara where it became possible for the Sikh Communities from Birmingham and the neighboring towns to be able congregate under one roof and worship the name of God. The purchase price for the premises was �11,600 and the Gurdwara opening took place on 31st July 1961. The present Gurdwara premises is still at the old church site but been Totally rebuilt to gleam majestically. Now the Gurdwara complex consists of 9 halls, of which 2 main halls have the capacity to hold around 1,500 members of the congregation at one time. The other 7 halls include 2 Langar halls. The Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick has programs running continuously throughout the day. The programmes begin daily when Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji arrives from the Sachkhand Sahib into the lower main hall in the early hours of the morning. Prayers (Nitnem) commence, then Sri Asa Ji Di Waar Kirtan is sung by the Sikh musicians (Ragi's). Programmes run continuously everyday till dusk when Rehraas Sahib starts which then begins the evening services at the Gurdwara Sahib. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is taken back to the Sachkhand Sahib at the end of services in the evening. Throughout the day Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji presides over the Sikh congregations. This is the daily-routine of religious service (Maryada) at Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick. Throughout the day thousand of Sikhs and non Sikhs attend the Gurdwara Sahib to worship and visit the beautiful Gurdwara complex. Guru Ka Langar (free community kitchen) is served all day long, everyday for 365 days a year. Since its establishment, Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick has been consistently involved in providing help and sharing (Vand Chakna) with the needy and homeless people around the world, especially during disasters. During Katrina, the Tsunami in Thailand, and earthquakes in South Asia and Haiti.