Gurudwara In Kochi Kerala

This Gurudwara was built around 1955 and has been functional ever since. The highlight of this Gurudwara is that there are no idols, no priests, and not even one bit of commercialization. Most of the Gurudwaras can be accessed from all four directions. The main reason for Gurudwaras being open from all entrances is to demonstrate the open mindedness of the Sikh religion. However, in the Gurudwara in Kochi, there is only one entrance purely because of lack of space.

Location

This Gurudwara is located in the district of Perumanoor, which is nearby Thevara, just three km away from the main Kochi city. Gurudwara simply means the means or path to reach the Guru. The holy book of the Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib is the one that is worshipped here. This place was first situated in the Cochin Shipyard in the earlier years when it was formed. There was a requirement by the Shipyard for the land, therefore the Gurudwara was shifted from this place and moved to the Chakkalakkal Road in Perumanoor where it now stands.

History

On the 29th of November 1955, the base for this building was laid at the Shipyard first. When the location was moved, the foundation stone was also re-erected here. This Gurudwara is also known as Shri Guru Singh Sabha and was set up in Perumanoor on the 18th of November, 1975. Like all Gurudwaras the architecture of this Gurudwara is also a perfect combination of the Hindu and Muslim types, however, unlike most of the other Gurudwaras that have entrances in all directions, this one at Kochi is characteristic of its single entrance.

Mr. Jasbir Singh Chawla , the current president of this Gurudwara has explained that entrances in all directions were not possible mainly due to space constraints. This is located very near to the main city therefore this Gurudwara is indeed quite pressed for space. The four entrances actually indicate the openness of the Sikh religion. Though the Kochi Gurudwara has only one entrance, the principles and policies are the same. This Gurudwara, with a few domes in it and is open to people from all religions.

Architecture

There are two floors in this Gurudwara. The ground floor is occupied by the Guru Ka Langar or the common kitchen. Here food is served free for all the inmates there is no distinction between people based on their class or creed or their financial status. The ones who believe in the great Guru Nanak's teachings come here and serve in the kitchen with single minded devotion and passion. There is no concept of money in the kitchen. Food is available for free for everyone who enters the kitchen.

On the first floor, is the prayer hall where the Holy Book , Guru Grant Sahib is installed. Any person who fully believes in the preaching and teachings of Guru Nanakji can enter the Gurudwara. It is open to non-Sikhs. A person should cover his or her head and enter the Gurudwara barefoot. He should be fully devoted to the teachings and believe in the philosophy that serving mankind is equivalent to saving God. Only these are the requirements for entering the Gurudwara. The color, social status, religion, sect and gender of the people are not qualifications for entering into the Gurudwara. This fact is evident from the point that the main contributors of the Gurudwaras are the late C.L.Anand of the Toshiba Group and businessman, D.C. Johar was non-Sikhs.

The Guru Grant Sahib is considered as the visual embodiment of the ten Sikh gurus and the people who enter the Gurudwara, worship this, sing lots of kirthans and listen to the Gurbani in the Durbar Hall. The most important days on this Gurudwara are Sundays at 11 AM and Wednesdays at 7pm. Kochi resembles a mini Punjab that time as lots of Punjabis gather, worship and believe in the Great Guru's teachings. Most of the Sikhs are from the automobile industry and of late there are also inter-caste marriages happening in their sect.

How to reach

By Air

Kochi, or Cochin is the nearest airport, as this Gurudwara is just 3 km away from the main city.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is Kochi. This is one of the busiest railway stations in the state of Kerala and is well connected by trains to and from most of the major cities in the country.

By Road

There are lots of taxis from the Kochi airport and railway station to this Gurudwara. State transport buses are available in high frequencies.

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