Dashmesh Culture Centre - Calgary, AB

The Dashmesh Culture Centre, also known as Gurdwara Sahib Calgary, is a major cultural and religious institution in northeast Calgary. It was established in 1984 to serve the spiritual, educational, and social needs of the local Sikh community. The centre operates on the core principles of Sikhism, such as selfless service (seva), compassion, and inclusivity, welcoming people of all backgrounds and faiths.

Key features

Daily worship: The centre has daily worship services, with timings posted on its website, providing a spiritual space for the community.

Kirtan: Spiritual and soul-soothing kirtan (devotional singing) is an important part of the programs, creating a peaceful atmosphere for reflection.

Religious ceremonies: The Gurdwara performs a range of religious ceremonies, including Akhand Path (continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), Anand Karaj (wedding services), and Antim Ardaas (funeral prayers).

Festivals: The centre celebrates all Sikh festivals and hosts events such as the annual Nagar Kirtan parade.

Religious education: The Dashmesh Culture Centre offers a Khalsa School and Gurmat studies to teach the Punjabi language, Sikhism, and Sikh values to children.

Meditation Sessions: The peaceful atmosphere and hymns are intended to help people find inner peace.

Langar (Community meal): A free community kitchen serves hot vegetarian meals to all visitors, embodying the Sikh value of equality. A drive-thru was even set up during the COVID-19 pandemic for safe distribution.

Food bank & aid distribution: The centre runs a food bank and provides food hampers to families and individuals in need, operating on an honour system with no credit application required. It also provides hot meals on the go for those in need.

Community events: The centre is a hub for community gatherings, bringing people together for social and spiritual events.

Transitional housing: The centre is actively involved in a project to provide transitional housing for vulnerable women and children escaping domestic violence.

Youth, adults, and seniors programs: The centre's mission statement emphasizes providing services to all age groups, including language classes, music lessons (harmonium and tabla), and support programs.

Volunteer opportunities: The centre is largely operated by volunteers who are crucial to its services.

Interfaith dialogue: Dashmesh has actively promoted interfaith dialogue by hosting events that bring people of different faiths together.

Gurdwara Expansion: An expansion of the current Gurdwara to create more space and accommodate more social programs, including mental health services.

New Gurdwara Site: A new, larger Gurdwara site is being developed to further accommodate the growing community.

Community Garden: A garden project was started to foster community engagement, promote healthy living, and provide fresh vegetables.

Transitional Housing: The women's transitional housing project is designed to provide a safe space and resources for women and children in need.

Wheelchair accessibility: The centre is wheelchair accessible, with ramps and ground-level entry points for individuals with mobility challenges.