Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara

Gurdwara in Gravesham, United Kingdom

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 / 51.4392; 0.3772
Architecture
Architect(s)| [N/A]
Type| Gurdwara
Style| Sikh
Completed| 2010
Construction cost| £12 million
Capacity| 10,000
Website
[1]
Image of Guru Nanak Darbar, Gravesend (from the side)

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 Dhesi 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]

1. ^ "Kent County Council's cabinet members visit Europe's largest Sikh temple".
2. ^ "Gurdwara open to Gravesend Sikhs after eight years work". BBC News. 19 November 2010.
3. ^ http://www.engdesign.co.uk/projects/gravesendgurdwara.html
4. ^ http://gurunanakfc.co.uk
5. ^ "Management Committee".
6. ^ "New president elected for gurdwara". Kent Online. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
7. ^ "Former Sikh temple saved from demolition". Kent Online. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
8. ^ "New president for gurdwara to be elected". Kent Online. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
9. ^ "Gravesend Gurdwara elects new president for first time in 12 years". News Shopper. 13 October 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
10. ^ "New president elected". Kent Online. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
11. ^ a b "UK borough ex-mayor's father eyes SAD ticket | Chandigarh News - Times of India". The Times of India. 22 September 2016.
12. ^ "Gurdwara open to Gravesend Sikhs after eight years work". BBC News. 19 November 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
13. ^ https://www.ukpol.co.uk/councillor-database-gurjit-kaur-bains-from-gravesham/
14. ^ https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/walsall/2019/11/20/amir-khan-hopes-tory-candidate-can-deliver-knockout-blow/
15. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-england-32364185
16. ^ https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/thousands-flock-to-celebrate-sikh-35349/
17. ^ https://kentcountyfootballleague.co.uk/club/guru-nanak-fc/
18. ^ https://www.gurunanakfc.co.uk/
19. ^ Bright, Nick. "FA People's Cup, Round 1". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
20. ^ https://www.womeninfootball.co.uk/news/2018/09/26/football-pioneer-parm-gill-is-awarded-uefa-grassroots-gold-award/
21. ^ "Kent's Parm Gill awarded UEFA Gold!". Kent County Football Association. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
22. ^ https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/ten-years-of-the-largest-gurdwara-outside-of-india-236945/
23. ^ https://www.gurunanakdarbar.org/cp
24. ^ https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/ten-years-of-the-largest-gurdwara-outside-of-india-236945/
25. ^ https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/campaigns/article/438/Demolition-threat-to-former-Gurdwara-and-Congregational-Church-in-Gravesend
26. ^ https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/plans-underway-to-transform-derelict-sikh-temple-into-flats-287013/
27. ^ https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2441
28. ^ https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/campaigns/article/438/Demolition-threat-to-former-Gurdwara-and-Congregational-Church-in-Gravesend

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gurudwaras in England.

Official website

* v
* t
* e

Sikhism

Glossary and History

Gurus|

* Guru Nanak
* Guru Angad
* Guru Amar Das
* Guru Ram Das
* Guru Arjan
* Guru Hargobind
* Guru Har Rai
* Guru Har Krishan
* Guru Tegh Bahadur
* Guru Gobind Singh
* Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book)

Philosophy|

* Beliefs and principles
* Guru Maneyo Granth
* Sikh Rehat Maryada
* The 52 Hukams
* Prohibitions
* Cannabis and Sikhism
* Diet in Sikhism

Practices|

* Khalsa
* Sikh practices
* Sikh rites
* Ardās
* Kirtan
* Langar
* Naam Karan
* Anand Karaj
* Amrit Sanchar
* Amrit Velā
* Antam Sanskar
* Three Pillars
* Kirat Karo
* Naam Japo
* Vand Chhako
* The Five Ks
* Simran
* Sewa
* Charhdi Kala
* Dasvand
* Jhatka

Scripture|

* Guru Granth Sahib
* Dasam Granth
* Sarbloh Granth
* Gurbani
* Mul Mantar
* Japji Sahib
* Chaupai
* Jaap Sahib
* Rehras
* Sukhmani Sahib
* Tav-Prasad Savaiye

Architecture|

* Gurdwara
* Harmandir Sahib
* Janam Asthan
* Darbar Sahib Kartarpur
* List
* Africa
* Asia
* Europe
* North America
* Bahadurgarh Fort
* Fateh Burj
* Hazuri Bagh Baradari
* Kesgarh Qila
* Khanda museum
* Moti Bagh Palace
* Nanak Shahi bricks
* Pul Kanjri
* Qila Mubarak, Patiala
* Ramgarhia Bunga
* Samadhi of Ranjit Singh
* Well of Dina Nath

By country|

* Diaspora
* Afghanistan
* Australia
* Austria
* Bangladesh
* Belgium
* Canada
* Vancouver
* China
* Denmark
* Fiji
* Finland
* France
* Germany
* Greece
* India
* Jammu and Kashmir
* Kochi
* Punjab
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Italy
* Japan
* Malaysia
* Nepal
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Niue
* Norway
* Pakistan
* Panama
* Poland
* Singapore
* South Africa
* South Korea
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Thailand
* United Arab Emirates
* United Kingdom
* England
* Scotland
* Wales
* United States
* U.S. Military

Groups, sects
and communities|

* Sects of Sikhism
* Khalsa
* Mina
* Namdhari
* Nanakpanthi
* Nihang
* Nirankari
* Sewapanthi
* Nirmala
* Ramraiya
* Udasi
* Mazhabi Sikh
* Piara Singh Bhaniara
* Agrahari Sikh
* Jatha
* Damdami Taksal
* Akhand Kirtani Jatha
* Singh Sabha
* Contemporary Sant Mat movements
* 3HO

Sikh Empire|

* v
* t
* e

Sikh Empire

Rulers|

* Ranjit Singh
* Kharak Singh
* Nau Nihal Singh
* Chand Kaur
* Sher Singh
* Jind Kaur
* Duleep Singh

Military
conflicts|

| Mughal-Sikh Wars|

* Battle of Bhangani
* Nadaun
* Basoli
* 1st Anandpur
* 2nd Anandpur
* Chamkaur
* Sarsa
* Muktsar
* Sonepat
* Samana
* Sirhind
* Sadhaura
* Chappar Chiri
* Rahon
* Lohgarh
* Jalalabad
* Jammu
* Gurdas Nangal
* Delhi

|

Afghan–Sikh wars|

* Battle of Attock
* Battle of Multan
* Battle of Shopian
* Battle of Nowshera
* Battle of Peshawar
* Battle of Jamrud

First Anglo-Sikh War|

* Battle of Mudki
* Battle of Ferozeshah
* Battle of Aliwal
* Battle of Sobraon

Second Anglo-Sikh War|

* Battle of Ramnagar
* Battle of Chillianwala
* Siege of Multan
* Battle of Gujrat

Others|

Nepal–Sikh War, Sino-Sikh war, Katoch–Sikh War, Hill States–Sikh Wars, Panchayati Revolution, List of battles involving the Sikh Empire

Military forces|

* Sikh Khalsa Army
* Fauj-i-Khas
* Fauj-i-Ain

Adversaries|

* Mughal Empire
* Durrani Empire
* Emirate of Afghanistan
* British East India Company
* Kingdom of Nepal
* Qing Empire
* Hill States Alliance
* Kingdom of Mankera
* Namgyal dynasty
* Barakzai dynasty
* Sudhans of Poonch
* Maqpon Dynasty

Forts|

* Jamrud Fort
* Multan Fort
* Harkishangarh
* Lahore Fort
* Zorawar Fort

Officials and warriors|

| Natives|

* Dhian Singh
* Diwan Dina Nath
* Diwan Bhawani Das
* Diwan Buta Singh
* Pratap Singh
* Misr Diwan Chand
* Diwan Mulraj
* Hari Singh Nalwa
* Mahan Singh Mirpuri
* Dewan Mokham Chand
* Khushal Singh Jamadar
* Zorawar Singh
* Tej Singh
* Lal Singh
* Gulab Singh
* Balbhadra Kunwar
* Jawahar Singh
* Mehta Basti Ram
* Sham Singh Attariwalla
* Sher Singh Attariwalla
* Chattar Singh Attariwalla
* Amar Singh Majithia
* Lehna Singh Majithia
* Ranjodh Singh Majithia
* Surat Singh Majithia
* Mangal Singh Ramgarhia
* Akali Phula Singh
* Chandu Lal
* Ajit Singh Sandhawalia
* Kahan Singh Nakai
* Sangat Singh Saini
* Hukma Singh
* Veer Singh
* Jarnail Ghaus Khan
* Ilahi Bakhsh
* Fakir Azizuddin
* Sultan Mahmud Khan
* Malik Fateh Khan Tiwana

|

Foreigners|

* Jean-François Allard
* Jean-Baptiste Ventura
* Claude Auguste Court
* François Henri Mouton
* Alexander Gardner
* Paolo Avitabile
* Josiah Harlan
* Johann Martin Honigberger
* Henry Lawrence

Influential families|

* Sandhawalia family
* Majithia family
* Tiwana family

Treaties|

* Treaty of Amritsar (1809)
* Treaty of Chushul (1842)
* Treaty of Lahore (1846)
* Treaty of Amritsar (1846)

Festivals|

* Bandi Chhor Divas
* Hola Mohalla
* Maghi
* Mela Maghi
* Vaisakhi

Other topics|

* History
* Culture
* Art
* Music
* Ik Onkar
* Waheguru
* Khanda
* Panj Pyare
* Films
* Literature
* Music
* Names
* Places
* Politics
* Sikhs in the British Indian Army
* 11th Sikh Regiment
* Sikh Regiment
* Sikh Light Infantry
* Nanakshahi calendar
* Ramananda
* Fariduddin Ganjshakar
* Kabir
* Sardar
* Dastar
* Dharamyudh
* Islam
* Jainism
* Hinduism
* Rama
* Sikhs
* Ravidassia
* Women in Sikhism
* Sikhism and sexual orientation
* In Fiction
* Idolatry in Sikhism
* Criticism
* Punjab
* History
* Punjabis
* Punjabi language (Gurmukhī)

Takht|

* Akal Takht
* Damdama Sahib
* Kesgarh Sahib
* Hazur Sahib
* Patna Sahib

Outline Category
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template