By Minreet Kaur
I love going to the gurdwara, it’s something I would do daily, early morning prayer with the Sangat (congregation). With lockdown it’s been tough, but am so happy that places of worship are finally open.
The day is here! I get up bright and early, get my favourite Punjabi suit out of the cupboard, so excited and running down the stairs. My parents and I get in the car, recite Waheguru (wonderful god) on the way there, and as soon as we drive into the car park, we just feel this sense of relief. I could feel my smile so wide my cheeks started to hurt! It was a lot quieter than normal.
When I walked up the stairs I saw the hand sanitiser stations to clean my hands, doors left open to stop the spread of germs. I could hear the prayers, so soothing and it felt so peaceful. I take off my shoes, it’s pretty emptier than usual. I wash my hands, and walk up some more stairs to the main darbar and when I got to the entrance I just felt happy but sad at the same time. This space would normally have a fair few people inside, sitting together, and there was that feeling of togetherness, but now with social distancing signs it was a strange feeling!
I saw only a handful of people, this made me sad. I felt connected to my faith, but something was missing. I matha tekh (pay my respect and bow down to the Guru Granth Sahib our holy scripture) and then I sit down and absorb what the giani (sikh priest) is saying. I just didn’t feel the same as before lockdown. I was happy being where I was but then all these thoughts went through my mind, when can we do a sukhmani sahib paat again where I can invite lots of family and friends for us to be altogether in god’s home to pray for everyone’s sarbat the bhalla (wellbeing of everyone).
I get up and say thank you to god and leave, as I walk out there is no prashad which is the sweet holy food given, and only dry one given out, and no open kitchen so no langar that fresh food we would be served. I felt grateful that I came and content but I do miss the hustle and bustle where the gurdwara would be packed with people and the langar hall would be open and I could go in and have a cup of tea and not worry about the social distancing. It’s a strange feeling that this is the new norm and reality is we cannot change this but to accept and live in the hukam (gods will).
It will be a long while before things are fully back to normal but in the meanwhile we need to stay strong and positive and hope that one day soon I can sit, pray and eat together with my community and pray for everyone’s wellbeing.
