Babies, balloons and boys in blue
Sunny celebrations for opening of Sikh temple
IT took ten years to plan and six years to build, but Scotland’s Sikh community finally threw open the doors to their largest ever temple with a burst of colourful celebration.
Five barefoot elders wearing bright orange turbans and flashing steel sabres led a vibrant drum-led procession through the streets of Glasgow’s West End to unveil the faith’s new place of worship, or Gurdwara.
The magnificent £8million building, topped off by its distinctive golden dome, will serve as the central place of worship for Scotland’s 20,000 Sikhs, the majority of whom live in the Greater Glasgow area.
Most materials used to create the Gurdwara have been imported from India in order to retain the air of religious authenticity, but yesterday, the sense of occasion was enhanced by a riot of blue and yellow balloons released as a celebratory procession reached its climax.
Nicola Sturgeon was among the honoured guests of a vibrant spectacle that saw women sporting a rainbow of green, purple and yellow suits.
The First Minister even had handfuls of flower petals cast before her.
‘Gurdwara’ means ‘the door that leads to the Guru’, referring to the holy Sikh scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib – revered as the final and eternal successor to ten human gurus, or teachers, throughout Sikh history.
Yesterday, the Guru was borne upon a ceremonial float as women members of the Sikh community purified the journey by scattering sacred water on the road ahead, before it was brushed away.
Miss Sturgeon sat cross-legged and barefoot on the floor of the temple’s prayer room, as the holy books were paraded before five elders representing the Five Beloved Ones, important figures from the dawn of the modern faith’s history.
On her head, the First Minister
‘This is a hugely significant day’
wore a turquoise scarf draped over her smart dark blue suit as a mark of respect.
Following prayers and a flagraising ceremony, the procession passed through the community hall where a vegetarian meal was served and entertainment was laid on for children.
Police Scotland deployed a number of Sikh officers in black turbans to match their uniforms.
They even had a recruitment drive, hoping to attract more Sikhs to the force’s ranks.
Later, the First Minister said: ‘This is a hugely significant day. I was at the opening of the new Gurdwara in Pollokshields, which is in my constituency, just over three years ago.
‘Already, that building is a valued part of the community. This is an even bigger building, which reflects the roles which charity and community play in the Sikh faith.
‘It’s inspiring to see the impressive way it has changed the Glasgow skyline.
‘There is no better sight than the south side Gurdwara lit up at night.’
Scotland’s first Gurdwara was a more modest affair which opened in the Gorbals in the 1950s.
The new temple can hold 1,500 worshippers, and will also contain classrooms, a library, an office and a ceremonial pool.
The grand opening was open to all members of the wider community and people of all faiths, and the Gurdwara will be available to the general public when not needed for worship.
In keeping with Sikh teachings, it will also be open to all to come and eat seven days a week.