Gurdwara Nanak Niwas - Richmond, BC

The Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, which is part of the India Cultural Centre of Canada, is a prominent spiritual and cultural hub for the Sikh community in the Greater Vancouver area. Located at 8600 No. 5 Road in Richmond, it is situated on a stretch known as the "Highway to Heaven" due to the many places of worship representing different religions.

Key features

Construction of new building: The current structure opened to the congregation in 1993, following the completion of a multi-million-dollar project.

Legacy: Gurdwara Nanak Niwas continues the legacy of previous Gurdwaras in Vancouver, with roots tracing back to the first Gurdwara at 1866 2nd Avenue and the Ross Street Temple.

Daily programs: The gurdwara offers a daily routine of religious programs, including morning and evening devotional music (Kirtan), religious discourse (Katha), and daily prayers (Ardaas).

Full recitations (Paath): The gurdwara facilitates continuous, 48-hour readings of the Guru Granth Sahib (Akhand Paath Sahib) for various occasions, as well as non-continuous readings (Sehaj Paath Sahib).

Communal meals (Langar): Consistent with Sikh tradition, the gurdwara operates a free, communal vegetarian kitchen (langar), which is open to all visitors regardless of background or faith.

Weddings (Anand Karaj): The gurdwara is a popular venue for Sikh wedding ceremonies.

Health and wellness: The gurdwara has hosted health clinics for services like cholesterol and blood pressure checks, as well as yoga classes.

Community events: The gurdwara is a hub for various cultural and community events, such as the "Chai Chaupal" program in collaboration with the Richmond Multicultural Community Services.

Support for newcomers: Programs like "Chai Chaupal" provide support and community integration opportunities for newcomers.

Funeral services: The gurdwara provides religious funeral services to support families during times of bereavement.

Parking: The gurdwara has a large parking lot, and free street parking is also available.

Wheelchair accessibility: The facility features a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom.