Draft:Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Kochi (Cochin)
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Kochi Gurdwara, also known as Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha, is situated at Perumanoor near Thevara in Kochi, Kerala, India.[1] It is the only Gurdwara in Kerala, serving as a place of worship and community gathering for the Sikh residents in Kochi and nearby areas. The gurdwara is located on Gurudwara Road, close to the famous Cochin Shipyard, approximately 3 km from downtown Kochi.
History
[edit]The foundation stone of Kochi Gurdwara was laid in 1955. Originally, the gurdwara was located within the vicinity of the Cochin Shipyard. However, due to land acquisition for the Shipyard's expansion, the gurdwara was relocated to its current site in Perumanoor. The present structure was inaugurated on November 18, 1975, and has since become an important cultural and religious site for the Sikh community in Kerala.[2]
Unique Architecture
[edit]A notable feature of the Kochi Gurdwara is its single entrance. Traditionally, Sikh gurdwaras are designed with four entrances, symbolizing openness and welcoming people from all directions, a core principle of Sikhism’s inclusive ethos. However, Kochi Gurdwara’s single entrance is attributed to space constraints in the area. The Durbar Hall, where religious gatherings take place, is located on the first floor, while Guru Ka Langar, the community kitchen that offers free meals, is on the ground floor.
Community and Services
[edit]Kochi Gurdwara serves as the central gathering place for the Sikh community in Kochi. Weekly prayer sessions are held every Sunday at 11:00 am and Wednesday at 7:00 pm. In addition to worship, the gurdwara’s Guru Ka Langar provides free meals to all visitors, regardless of their religious background, embodying the Sikh principle of communal harmony and selfless service (Sevā).
Sikh Solidarity
[edit]The Sikh community in Kochi has consistently extended support during times of crisis. During Kerala's devastating floods, Khalsa Aid International, in collaboration with Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Thevara, organized a langar in Kochi to serve meals to 13,000 flood victims[3]. Additionally, a team from the same Gurudwara set up a community kitchen in Wayanad, providing hot meals to 1,200 people in a relief camp at Meppadi Government HSS[4]. Their efforts exemplify selfless service and solidarity during disasters.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]
- ^ "Gurudwaras in Kerala". www.worldgurudwaras.com.
- ^ "Gurudwara in Kochi Kerala". www.allaboutsikhs.com. 3 June 2006.
- ^ Goyal, Divya (21 August 2018). "Kerala Floods: Langar sewa expands; Sikh volunteers now serving meals to 13,000 people". www.indianexpress.com.
- ^ K, Anantha Narayanan (13 August 2019). "Kochi's Sikh community lends a helping hand to relief camps in Wayanad". www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com.