Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara
| Gurdwara Nanak Darbar, Gravesend | |
|---|---|
 Front entrance of Guru Nanak Darbar, Gravesend | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Sikhism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Gurdwara |
| Location | |
| Location |  Gravesend, Borough of Gravesham, England, United Kingdom |
| Geographic coordinates | 51°26′21″N 0°22′38″E / 51.4392°N 0.3772°E |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | [N/A] |
| Type | Gurdwara |
| Style | Sikh |
| Completed | 2010 |
| Construction cost | £12 million |
| Capacity | 10,000 |
| Website | |
| [1] | |
The Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara (Punjabi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ ਦਰਬਾਰ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰਾ (Gurmukhi)) is a Sikh Gurdwara situated in the town of Gravesend, Kent. It is the largest Gurdwara in Europe[1] and also one of the largest outside India.[2]
The complex has 3 prayer rooms and 2 langar halls[3]. There is a building used for Punjabi lessons nearby, called Punjabi School, and as a day centre for the elderly community. There is also a sports hall hosting activities including boxing, basketball and karate. The grounds are used for outdoor sports including football and are where the Gravesend Guru Nanak Football Club plays.[4]
Presidency[edit]
| Elected | Name | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 19 September 2023 | Ajaib Singh Cheema[5][6][7] | Baaj |
| January 2020 | Manpreet Singh Dhaliwal[8] | Baaj |
| October 2013 | Shinde (A1) (aka Davinder Singh Bains)[9][10] | Sher |
| 2001 | Jaspal Singh Dhesi[11][12] | Baaj |
Jaspal Singh Dhesi is the father of Slough MP Tan Dhesi.[11]
Shinde (A1) is also father of Conservative Councillor Gurjit Kaur Bains[13] who stood to be MP in Walsall[14] in 2019, but was not elected. Shinde (A1) coordinated the 2015 visit of David and Samantha Cameron to the annual Vaisakhi celebrations[15][16] amidst Tan Dhesi's 2015 Labour campaign, which he subsequently lost.
Guru Nanak F.C.[edit]
Guru Nanak F.C., sometimes called GNG (Guru Nanak Gurdwara) FC was founded in 1965[17][18] by a group of Sikh students, and is named after Guru Nanak. This is not to be confused with GNG FC Leicester.
This football club has a female section, where 70 women and girls play. they first entered team(s) in the FA People's Cup in 2019. In addition to Sikh players, they have Muslims, Polish, English, Asian and black players.[19] The women's football club was started up by Parm Gill[20] and, in recognition, UEFA rewarded her in 2018, with a UEFA Grassroots gold award for her leadership qualities. This was presented by the UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, at UEFA's headquarters in Switzerland.[21]
Ethos[edit]
In line with the Sikh principle of Sarbat da bhala, the Gurdwara served 60,000 free meals to hospital staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.[22]
Clarence Place Site (1968 - 2010)[edit]
From 17th November 1968 the Gurdwara was located at Clarence Place, a former church[23][24][25].
After the current site was opened, a plan was made to demolish the Clarence Place site, however this will now only be a refurbishment.[26][27][28]
References[edit]
- ^ "Kent County Council's cabinet members visit Europe's largest Sikh temple".
- ^ "Gurdwara open to Gravesend Sikhs after eight years work". BBC News. 19 November 2010.
- ^ http://www.engdesign.co.uk/projects/gravesendgurdwara.html
- ^ http://gurunanakfc.co.uk
- ^ "Management Committee".
- ^ "New president elected for gurdwara". Kent Online. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Former Sikh temple saved from demolition". Kent Online. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "New president for gurdwara to be elected". Kent Online. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Gravesend Gurdwara elects new president for first time in 12 years". News Shopper. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "New president elected". Kent Online. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ a b "UK borough ex-mayor's father eyes SAD ticket | Chandigarh News - Times of India". The Times of India. 22 September 2016.
- ^ "Gurdwara open to Gravesend Sikhs after eight years work". BBC News. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ https://www.ukpol.co.uk/councillor-database-gurjit-kaur-bains-from-gravesham/
- ^ https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/walsall/2019/11/20/amir-khan-hopes-tory-candidate-can-deliver-knockout-blow/
- ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-england-32364185
- ^ https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/thousands-flock-to-celebrate-sikh-35349/
- ^ https://kentcountyfootballleague.co.uk/club/guru-nanak-fc/
- ^ https://www.gurunanakfc.co.uk/
- ^ Bright, Nick. "FA People's Cup, Round 1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- ^ https://www.womeninfootball.co.uk/news/2018/09/26/football-pioneer-parm-gill-is-awarded-uefa-grassroots-gold-award/
- ^ "Kent's Parm Gill awarded UEFA Gold!". Kent County Football Association. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- ^ https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/ten-years-of-the-largest-gurdwara-outside-of-india-236945/
- ^ https://www.gurunanakdarbar.org/cp
- ^ https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/ten-years-of-the-largest-gurdwara-outside-of-india-236945/
- ^ https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/campaigns/article/438/Demolition-threat-to-former-Gurdwara-and-Congregational-Church-in-Gravesend
- ^ https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/plans-underway-to-transform-derelict-sikh-temple-into-flats-287013/
- ^ https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2441
- ^ https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/campaigns/article/438/Demolition-threat-to-former-Gurdwara-and-Congregational-Church-in-Gravesend
External links[edit]
