GTB Gurdwara, Leicester, UK, is among one of the richest source of sikh-related information. Sikhs believe in oneness of God and GTB Gurdawara being a sikh temple sikhism is practiced and preached here in many different ways such as by teaching Punjabi, Gurumukhi, by offering 24×7 free langar (food & tea). Daily Sikh prayers and keertan (singing holy hymns) using instruments are practiced twice a day, 4:30 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM and these programmes are attended by almost 1000+ visitors daily.
Along with religious activities an old age day care, community centre, sikh museum, kirtan and santhya (reading holy scriptures) classes, pre-school, punjabi learning classes, open library, marriage bureau, free legal advice sessions (twice a month), gym, yoga and keep fit classes are some of the main attractions for the local sangat (people).
Anyone can regardless of race, age, gender, background and so on is welcome to visit and experience daily service. Usually school children, college and University students visit the Gurdwara for a guided tour, to get familiar with the sikh religion and its basics. Special talks/presentations and free food and drinks are offered to all the visitors and one to one sessions by the priests and members of the community to help enlighten the young and others about the oneness of god and the Sikhism and finction of the Sikh place of worship.
You will see the Parkash sewa (Awakening service) of Guru Granth Sahib Ji at 4.30 am every morning followed by daily players Nitnem and Kirtan (Asa Di Vaar) hymns using traditional instruments.
The day includes a number of activities such as community service in the kitchen, preparing Langar (Food) to be distributed free to all visitors called Langar in the Langar Hall. The Gurdwara will see more than 1000 worshipers a day, either paying their respect for a few minutes to offering sewa (selfless service) through cleaning, cooking, serving food, prayers and much more. The evening prayers are recited daily with Rehraas Sahib (a set of hymns from Guru Granth Sahib Ji) followed by religious service in kirtan, katha (spiritual message from Guru Granth Sahib Ji) and Dhadhi (Sikh history and poetry). The day ends with the Sukhasan sewa (rest and retirement ceremony of Guru Granth Sahib ji).
With four prayer hall (capacity of 350+ each) families are allowed to request for any kind religious service and prayers such as birth, death, marriage, blessing for Karaj (work) and much more. Everyone is encouraged to fully make use of the Gurdwara by attending and maintaining full respect of Guru Granth Sahib Ji who sits in the diwan hall as the King of Kings Tabia (elevated platform with most comfortable siiting arrangement).
Other Facilities: The Gurdwara is based in a very large complex and runs its own Day Centre , Sikh community centre , Sikh Meuseum , Sikh Library , Sikh education centre , Marriage reception room and lot more.
Sports and recreational activities such as Football, Kabadi etc and community projects (trips, religious sikhi camps and workshops) are carried out regularly at the Gurdwara Sahib.