Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, Gravesend

Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend in Kent – the UK’s largest Sikh temple – invites us to join their daily prayers and services.

At 4.00am, the holy book, called the Guru Granth Sahib, is brought out from its overnight resting place, called the Sachkhand. It’s carried to the Main Diwan (prayer) Hall, where the first of the daily prayers are read.

During the course of the morning, worshippers arrive at the temple to join a number of different prayers, including Japji Sahib (prayer from holy text), Asa di Var (hymn), Katha (sermon), Ardas (standing prayer) and Hukamnama (command). There is also the conclusion (Bhog) of a 48-hour prayer known as the Akhand Paath, a nonstop reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism's sacred scripture.

We also witness a core element of Sikhism called Sewa, or selfless service. Every morning at first light, volunteers arrive in the Langar (food) hall of the Gurdwara to prepare food for the congregation throughout the course of the day.