Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib Sikh Sabha, also fondly called Glasgow Gurdwara, marks the progress of Sikhs in Scotland by serving the community with immense pride, being the first purpose-built Gurdwara in Scotland.
Situated in a multicultural region of Pollokshields, the Gurdwara serves as a spiritual, educational, and cultural destination for the Sikhs as well as members of other religions and faiths. The Gurdwara efficiently serves the entire Sikh community through the promotion of free education services, a free community kitchen, faith along with cultural services, engagement in politics, and a wide range of advice as well as support services.
The previous Gurdwara edifice was situated on Nithsdale Road, which was the first dedicated site for a Gurdwara in entire Scotland. Founded in the 1960s, the Gurdwara served as a great place for both Sikhs and non-Sikhs to pray, learn the Punjabi language, engage in marriage ceremonies, bid farewell to loved ones, and ultimately celebrate history of Sikhism. This Gurdwara became the focal point for religious, social, and political activities for the Sikhs of Scotland for several decades.
With the passage of time, the Gurdwara has played host to several, distinguished Sikh personalities as well as non-Sikhs, including former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
In fact, in the early 1960s, the Gurdwara even hosted the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Besides the regular community kitchen, the Gurdwara provided myriad services, including lessons in music and counselling centres.
In April 2013, the Sikh community in Scotland took a landmark step in the founding of Glasgow Gurdwara. After 51 long years in the previous Gurdwara, this was both an exciting and emotional time for the entire Sikh community.
The new Gurdwara is situated adjacent to Glasgow’s Tramway Theatre and serves as a neighbour to the Hidden Gardens. The actual site has an expansive off-street car parking zone, which can accommodate 100 cars. The Gurdwara can be accessed through an exclusive gateway and is capacious enough to house 1,500 worshippers and devotees.
