Gurudwara in Mangalore - Serving religious needs of Sikh community


Florine Roche
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Aug 25: Mangalore being a true cosmopolitan city has assimilated people of diverse religions and nationality in its fold. It is therefore not surprising to know that there about 25 to 30 Sikh families residing within Mangalore and they have also constructed a Gurudwara in the city. Interestingly the original root of these families is the same though these families have arrived in Mangalore from different parts of Northern states like Punjab, Haryana Delhi and Uttar Pradesh over a period of nearly four decades.

Sikhs are known to be kind, open hearted, generous, tolerant, hard working and progressive in their nature who easily integrate into the society. This has been proved right as these Sikh families who have made Mangalore their home for many years now have retained their identity but at the same time have easily merged with local culture and traditions. It is therefore not astounding if you come across young school and college going brats conversing in pure Tulu or Kannada just like the locals do. Or don’t be surprised when they swear by their liking for some of the local Mangalorean cuisine, about which they must have come to know from their class or collegemates or tasted them in some of our celebrated hotels in the city.

Karmendar Rathour the elder son of businessman Iqubal Singh Rathour, an Engineering student and an alumnus of St Aloysius College says he likes Mangalore, its culture, its cosmopolitan tradition and his band of friends spanning across all religions. He is a football player who represented St Aloysius High School and College football team for three years. He surprises me by speaking in chaste Tulu and Kannada.

The community has developed a fondness for our verdant beaches and the South Indian cuisine. “For us going out often means going to the beach and we are not tired of this. Even when our relatives and acquaintances come to Mangalore we take them to the beaches. We simply love the beaches”, says Vice president of Shri Harvinder Singh who is into interior decoration business.

It was trade and commerce that brought the Sikh community to the shores of Mangalore in the 1980’s. Iqubal Singh Rathour, who is into the business of supplying school uniforms recalls that his parents had come to Mangalore on business. “Initially only 4 to 5 families were here but over the years we have many families who are business as well as in service. They work for coast guard, banks, MRPL, government employees and some are employed in some of the Navaratna companies.


Fulfilling a long cherished dream

Religion is often the binding factor and having realized this need these Sikh families in Mangalore decided to come together and organize as a community when they rented out a place in Gundu Rao lane in Mannaagudda for a Gurudwara. This was just the beginning and it was here the seeds of the grandiose ideas of having a gurudwara of their own germinated. The seed soon bore fruit as they bought the land and constructed a Gurudwara in Kottara Chowki, Bangra Kulur. This Gurudwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, was inaugurated in 2011 and now the Sikh community happy having a place to call its own.

Iqubal Singh Rathour who is the Secretary and Treasurer of Shri Guru Singh Sabha says she came to Mangalore as a bachelor here stayed put here along with his father. Now his four children two boys and two girls are studying in different schools and colleges in the city. Iqubal Singh said to construct the Gurudwara they sought funds from other Gurudwaras and also Sikh families from different parts of the country. All the work of the Gurudwara is carried out through the society Sri Guru Singh Sabha.

When I visited the Gurudwara the Poojary (priest) told that Sunday is the best day to visit the to know more about the Gurudwara and also to meet the people as the entire community congregates at the Gurudwara for the Sunday Sammelan. So I arrived at the Gurudwara exactly at 1 pm and was accorded a warm welcome by the members. While some were busy in the prayer hall a few were busy volunteering their service in the kitchen to prepare “Langar” (lunch).

The gurudwara is open to anyone the only requirement being that they should cover their head. I had taken a head scarf with me to cover my head after reading the board during my previous visit. Even otherwise a cloth is made available at the Gurudwara for those who don’t have the scarf or the pagri (the turban). Vice president of Shri Guru Singh Sabha Harvinder Singh says “covering the head is both a moral and religious obligation as it denotes showing reverence to Guru Granth Sahib.
Guru Granth Sahib – the Living Guru

Prayer rituals are held in the Gurudwara on a daily basis and poojary Parveen Singh conducts these rituals here in the morning and evening. However, the weekly ritual called Sapthahik programme held every Sunday is very popular and is attended by most of the families. The prayers begin at 11 am where they worship the “Guru Granth Sahib” reading verses from the holy book and singing keertanas to the accompaniment of several musical instruments like table, harmonium, Dholki etc. Devotees who enter the prayer hall make his offerings in the form of money or groceries etc., before the guru to express his gratitude for the favours. They also bow to touch the ground with the forehead in front of the holy book the Guru Granth Sahib.

All the devotees sit on the floor during the prayer and also during the Langar – the common kitchen where food is served to all the visitors in the Gurudwara without discrimination. “Whoever comes here to the Gurudwara be it the President or Prime Minister will have to sit on the floor as demonstrates a feeling of unity and equanimity while sitting together and eating Langar. But we make an exception to the old aged or physically challenged who cannot sit down”, says Iqubal Singh. It gives a greater feeling of unity and equality while sitting together like that and eating Langar.

People from nearby areas irrespective of caste, creed or religion can take part in Langar and every Sunday the devotees at this Gurudwara prepare food for about 100 people.

The Sikhs respect and worship the Guru Granth Sahib as the living spiritual guru and therefore is treated like one. The Holy Book occupies the central position in the prayer room as it is kept on a cot in an elevated position. An awning is erected above the cot where the holy book is placed on the cot and it is highly revered by the devotees. During the prayer the Langar (food) prepared in the common kitchen is kept in the prayer hall for the blessings. The Poojary blesses the food and the Prasada is then offered to the devotees. The Sikhs consider Guru Granth Sahib as a living thing and the first offering is offered to the Holy Book as per the tradition. Similarly once the evening prayers are done the holy book is shifted to a separate room specifically made for its resting. There is a bed in the room with a canopy and the holy book is kept on that with enough ventilation and a night light is kept on.


Volunteering Service

The best aspect I noticed in the Gurudwara is that all members including youngsters volunteer to work in the kitchen be it preparing rotis and other food, cleaning the floor after Langar, washing the plates and utensils and other related work. They all share the work and leave the Gurudwara only after the work is completed.

I was for once taken aback when Karmendar Rathore tried to strike a conversation with me in Tulu during my visit to the Gurudwara. He tells me local people often took at him awe when he speaks in these languages.

Despite small in number the vibrant Sikh community of Mangalore has added luster contributing to its progress and to the cosmopolitan nature of Mangalore.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Alisha arora, Kadri temple road Mangalore

    Sat, Apr 29 2017

    M not a sikh but my husband is and even from my childhood I had been several times in gurdwara's n I have faith in God who blessed me n my family

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kiran , Mangalore

    Thu, May 28 2015

    I would want to visit this place for sure.
    It shows their hardwork here, even though there are about 25 to 30 sikh families in Mangalore they have succeeded in building a GuruDhwara for themselves.
    this shows their dedication and love towards their religion.
    Would want to visit this place and have langar(lunch) very soon before i leave Mangalore.
    jai hind

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gurudath, M'lore/Mumbai

    Sun, May 03 2015

    Good article and gives us a clear picture about the Sikh community in Mangaluru. May their community prosper in Mangaluru.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kamaljit singh, mangalore

    Sun, Aug 31 2014

    Thank you for project ing the Sikh community of mangalore. I thank all the people for their kind words in respect of the Sikh s.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Observer, mangalore

    Sat, Aug 30 2014

    Alwyn - it is 'sikh' and not as you have spelt.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • S .nayak, Mangalore

    Thu, Aug 28 2014

    Very glad abt sikhs in Mangalore, they do not plead, beg, arm twist govt for favours,we should be proud to have them here, will the govt on their own offer land , const cost to them for a school near the gurdwaras.?

    DisAgree [2] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • violet d almeida, vashi navimumbai

    Wed, Aug 27 2014

    happy to hear A gurudwara in mangalore was working in a Guru Nanak school in Mumbai for 32 yrs Kind hearted, grt respect to woman the sikh com are the peace loving people, I m happy to here a guruswara in Mangalore my native place, Bole sone hal sasria kal

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaswant, gujrat

    Tue, Aug 26 2014

    Sikh means Desciple(Shishya)of Guru.or Guru ka shishya.Who has to devote 10%of his time in Sadna,meditation and10%from his income for the welfare of society.Respect women.earn his honest livelihood and look after his firmly and feed hungry who comes to him and share.above all live in the will of his Guru.respect the law of the state or country he lives.
    People joke on Sardars are because they cannot reach the thought level or achieve what a sardar can achieve or do"SO THEY JOKE AROUND" ask them to find a sikh begger.any where in India or the world.they live with dignity and have love for the place they work and earn their livelihood ..But stay connected to the Waheguru.LIVE IN HIS WILL.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • susen kr ojah, Guwahati

    Tue, Aug 26 2014

    I always have the respect to Sikhs because they have big heart real warrior do scarifies their life for our motherland.There are so many sikhs and even a village of Sikh people in Assam who used to speak Assamese language. We never think them out sider. They have become real Assamese. We are proud of them.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sumeet kaur, Sumeet Kaur

    Tue, Aug 26 2014

    M really sorry by mistake i clicked on disagree coz i was checking those two people who were disagree dis. :-(

    DisAgree [4] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • G Bhandary, Mangalore

    Tue, Aug 26 2014

    Yes, they are really nice abd humble people. I think that was why they became the victims of 1984 massacre.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Wifred J. Lewis, Matpady-Brahmavar/ New York, USA

    Tue, Aug 26 2014

    A Sikh worship place at Mangalore is most welcome thing for each and every believer of God, regardless of our individual faith. A well compiled article, thanks Florine Roche.

    I have been close to few Sikh families in Bombay (Mumbai) and here in New York. My experience with these Sikh families have been valuable as they are trustworthy, loyal friends. As M. Sc. Physics-Electronics student at University of Bombay, for electronics practical's I choose Sri Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Matunga- Mumbai, to be a student of Professor Mohinder Singh a well known brilliant academic intellectual, then advisor to ELECTRONICS COMMISSION OF INDIA. Ever since my college days Sikh families have been friends to me and to my family. I am happy that they are residents of our city and culture...

    My greetings to them. "Sat Sri Akal"

    DisAgree [4] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Don, Mangalore

    Tue, Aug 26 2014

    Wahe Guruji Khalsa.
    Wahe Guruji ki Fateh.

    Jho Bhole So Nihal. Sat Sri Akal.

    DisAgree Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Latif Mapal, Jeddah

    Tue, Aug 26 2014

    Religion humanity is very important and our safe is respect each others

    DisAgree Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • cliffy, Mangalore

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    By nature Sikh community is very kind, tolerant, religious and do lot of charity. Glad to see them in Mangalore. Thanks Daiji for the coverage.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • shahnawaz kukkikaate, dubai/udupi

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Sikhs are our brothers n sisters. They are most welcome to our place. I would like to see many more such gurudwaras n like places of worship to come up in udupi n DK..ours is a culture of unity in diversity..along with our own coastal festivities we can celebrate sikh festivities like nanak jayanthi, baisaki n hv cultural programmes like banghda etc..Dear sikh brothers u r welcome n be happy n stay with us n earn your share of livelihood. We all love u all.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [36] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian Dsouza, Udupi/Mumbai

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Happy to see Sikh Community in Mangalore.
    Happy for they got a Gurudwara.
    Though Sikhs are very small community, they are bold, united, hard working, enterprising and spread all over the world.
    They made their identity known to all.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • ANIL omTHOMAS DSILVA, MANGALORE ADYAR

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Sasriyakal ji, nice to see sikh community in mangalore,we still remember going to gurudwara in punjab n pune n taking prasada from the sikh guru thats almost 22-23 years back,, i love punjab, sikhs are realy kind hearted humans,

    special thing is my sis also born in punjab-jalander,

    i wil visit this place surely,,

    DisAgree [1] Agree [16] Reply Report Abuse

  • S.M. Nawaz Kukkikatte, Dubai

    Mon, Aug 25 2014


    really respected religion, Nice to see sikh community in our tulunadu.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [47] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sumeet kaur, Sumeet Kaur

    Tue, Aug 26 2014

    M really sorry by mistake i clicked on disagree coz i was checking those two people who were disagree dis. :-(

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dexter, Abu Dhabi

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Open heart and arms welcome to the Sikh Community in Mangalore.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • SAGAR, SURAT

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Thanks Reyanbhai for the info.They are too good!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Waleed Ullal, Ullal / Magalore

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Nice to see The great Sikh community in Mangalore - The real warriors of India.....I have lot of Sikh friends all are Very nice people.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alban D Souza, Udyavara (Bajjod) Mumbai Doha Qatar

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Sikh means immediately comes to our mind Punjab the brave men but now they are now everywhere in India.Nice to see Sikh community in Mangalore. They are nice people friendly and honest, unity, trustworthy and hardworking. THey contributed a lot to the country in every field. Agriculture, Army, NAvy Airforce and soldiers guarding the country. Even their contribution to sports so much specially Hockey stars . Even in politics our ex-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh having 2 terms . It is an honour to the country. They even mix easily with other communities . Wish all the best Sardars in Mangalore. Even they mix with other community easily.

    DisAgree Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ashok Kotian, Mangalore / Mumbai

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Sikhs are mostly hard workers and sincere. It's good to see them settled in Mangalore. Yeh mera India sab ke liye hai. Sab India ke liye hai should be the common unifying factor for all

    DisAgree Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • prem, moodbidri

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    oye, balle... balle...

    DisAgree [2] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • Reyan, kuwait

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Please search Snatam Kaur in your android mobile app soundcloud and listen to the mesmerizing keertanas...must listen

    DisAgree [3] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vinod, Kuwait/Mangalore

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Rayan..do u mean Panjabi Keertans???

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • Baptist, Mangalore

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Glad to know there is Grudwara in Mangalore. Sikhs contribute to the country in many ways and I are sure they are very good asset to Mangalore.

    DisAgree Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald Raphael D'sa, Mangolre/Dubai

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Sikh are the best people i have evr come cross.Yes the very generous,polite,trustworthy & very friendly.They are very honest& humble people***

    We are with you as one nation one family. Ronald & family

    DisAgree [1] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • chimni, mangalore

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Was that a Taunt?!!!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Henry Sequeira, Kateel USA

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Their humor, humanity and hard work is Sikhs uniqueness. Any work and everybody must work even cleaning the place and polishing the shoes by the heights office bearer is what makes the community exemplary.

    DisAgree Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sandesh Shetty, Bangalore/Kudla

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    If i am not wrong before sikh community used to have gurudwara near mannagudda. Now it has been shifted to Kottara Chowki. God bless you all community people.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rolfard John Pinto, Mangalore

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    What a lovely people. I am a Roman Catholic who had an opportunity to stay with Sikh family in their house in Delhi for 6 months. Their sons were Bitoo and Titoo and they were calling me as their third son Pintoo. They are India's pride. God bless this community.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [63] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen, Manchi

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Wow nice to have Gurudwar in our city. Sikhs are the most useful minority in India who lives peacefully and sacrifice their life for the sake of mother land.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    God helps those who help themselves ...

    DisAgree [4] Agree [45] Reply Report Abuse

  • DINESH SHETTY, PADUBIDRI/DUBAI

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Beautiful Pics..Thanks DW.Because of
    Punjab our neighbouring countries
    (Pakistan & China) are afraiding to
    attack our country.

    DisAgree [23] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • Raj, Udupi

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    We should always respect Sikh because they server and do scarifies their life for our motherland.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [60] Reply Report Abuse

  • Limesh, Kasaragod

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    They sacrificed their land and water in Gujarat also recently...

    DisAgree [17] Agree [45] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn, mlore

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Singh is king !!
    Its a honor to Mangalore having a Gurudwara and sick community..

    DisAgree [3] Agree [49] Reply Report Abuse

  • j.anata, Mangaluru / Bengaluru

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Well researched article highlighting the services by the Sikh community in Mangalore! Great job by DW

    DisAgree [3] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Observer, mangalore

    Sat, Aug 30 2014

    Why in the hell 'disagree' to this comment. Gone off the rocker or what? Or is it by automatons who represent certain vested interests and click 'disagree' to comments, left, right or center. Any way, 'disagree' to this comment was highly uncalled for and stupid.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Af, mangalore

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Sikhs are very nice and humble people.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [38] Reply Report Abuse

  • vellano1, Mumbai

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    One of the best communities in India!! Sikhs!! hardworking ( you wont find one beggar), philanthropic (LANGAR service all round the clock), Patrotic (every household used to send one Soldier to country), mainstream(inspite of worst attack on their Golden temple), Proud, major contributor to economy (agriculturists), enjoy life to fullest (cracking jokes on themselves and having patiala peg, lassi, ghee), most importantly, a guard to Hinduism! (their panth was created to safeguard hindus from Moghal attacks!)... best thing is our karnataka has sent one of the "panj pyaare"!! more power to sikh community! may they prosper and god be kind to them, always! Wahe guru da khalsa, wahe guru da fateh! Bole so nihaal... Sat sree akal...

    DisAgree [8] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • candle, Mangalore

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Nice to see Sikh community enjoying their life and nesting in Mangalore.We mangaloreans well come you kindheartedly. Mangalore has become paradise to outsiders.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Mon, Aug 25 2014

    Well written article thanks Florine bai, keep it up!!Sikhs are brave, honest, hard workers, Sikh people are contributing to each and every field of the society. They are holding some of the highest positions in industry , govt , defence services and public sector companies.But they are very much humiliated in all public social gatherings , bollywood and even on internet. We enjoy much of Sardar's jokes. Should we take it that still our community is not mature enough ? Anyways I do never tell such jokes nor I encourage them.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [75] Reply Report Abuse


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