Sikh Gurdwara, Cottenham Street

Image: © Andrew Curtis Taken: 27 Jan 2016

Newcastle's new £2.5m Sikh temple opened in 2013. The building is L-shaped with two prayer halls, classrooms and a Langar, or eating area. The entrance is a huge horseshoe shaped screen with glazed glass and above that is a golden dome about six metres in diameter. The design on the gates is the Khanda, a symbol of the Sikhs, as the Cross is to Christians or the Star of David is to Jews. It reflects some of the fundamental concepts of Sikhism. The symbol derives its name from the double-edged sword (also called a Khanda) which appears at the centre of the logo. This double-edged sword is a metaphor of Divine Knowledge, its sharp edges cleaving Truth from Falsehood. The circle around the Khanda is the Chakar. The Chakar being a circle without a beginning or an end symbolizes the perfection of God who is eternal. The Chakar is surrounded by two curved swords called Kirpans. These two swords symbolize the twin concepts of Meeri and Peeri - Temporal and Spiritual authority introduced by Guru Hargobind. They emphasize the equal emphasis that a Sikh must place on spiritual aspirations as well as obligations to society. Nishan Sahib is the name given to the flag which is seen flying outside every Sikh Gurdwara (Temple) Image It is a triangular piece of ochre or saffron coloured cloth with the Khanda emblem in the middle. The flagpost also has a khanda or spear on top and is usually covered with the same cloth as the flag. The use of the Nishan Sahib was first introduced by Guru Hargobind. http://www.sikhs.org/khanda.htm

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0