1 - Guru Nanak Sikh Temple (Gurudwara)

Guru Nanak Sikh Temple

Visitors welcome

9am-6pm, 7 days a week

+61 2 6654 0099 

This is the site where a small Sikh temple was built in 1969. The need for this temple came about as the population of Sikh residents started to grow after World War Two.

Sikhism

Sikhism was founded in 1469 by Guru Nanak Dev ji (the name of this temple is in remembrance of the first Sikh Guru). He was the first of ten human gurus. The term Guru means teacher and the word Sikh means to learn or disciple. 

These ten Gurus bought the message of God to the people of India. This message is simple; Sikhs believe there is only one God, that god has no shape, size, gender, colour or race.  They believe all that is, is in fact God. God is described as unfathomable, indescribable, and infinite in the Sikh text. Sikhs have no caste discrimination. Everyone is welcome and equal.

In the centre of the temple you will notice a raised platform. This is where the current Guru (the Guru Granth Sahib ji) resides. To demonstrate the concept of the oneness of God and the brotherhood of mankind, the Sikh Gurus collected the writings of all the Gurus plus the writings of other contemporaries (some from Muslim faith and others from Hindu faith, as well as so called untouchables or lower caste contemporaries). These writings were compiled and the Tenth Guru ji (Guru Gobind Singh ji) ordained that these writings would form the new and everlasting Guru for the Sikhs. (Please note: it is the message within the text that is important, hence symbolically the scriptures are located on a higher platform in all Sikh temples.)

Sikhs believe the awareness of God comes about by remembrance of God in all that we do. By earning one’s living in an honest way and sharing.

Sikhs do not have a priest class, hence the service at the temple is conducted by many in that anyone is able to perform Kirtan (Devotional singing). Sikhs have no gender bias, again this is demonstrated by prayer being conducted by both female and male Sikhs. Further to this, the baptism is granted to anyone willing to follow the beliefs of the Sikhs. Each of the Gurus contributed to the Sikh faith, forming a way of living, that addressed social, economic and community issues, uplifting people from centuries of superstitious and divisional practices. In doing so they built a platform allowing each human to thrive and lead a healthy existence, thus focus was on humanity, not self.

Woolgoolga has become the home of a large group of people from India. The Sikhs contribute to the diversity of Australia. Sikhs are proud to be Australian.

The temple is open for prayer from 5:00am and evening prayers at 6:00pm. For more information go to sikhnet.com.