Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Minnesota - Bloomington, MN

The Guru Nanak Sikh Society of Minnesota is a gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) located in Bloomington, near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. It is a spiritual and cultural center that serves as a pillar for the Sikh community in Minnesota, providing a welcoming space for worship, education, and community activities.

Key features

Establishment and growth: The society was founded in the early 1980s by a small group of families who initially gathered in homes for worship. As the Sikh population grew, the community established a formal gurdwara, eventually moving to its current location in Bloomington.

Mission: The organization is committed to the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, focusing on values such as equality, community service (seva), and religious education.

Inclusivity: Following Sikh principles, the gurdwara is open and welcoming to people of all faiths and backgrounds, providing a space for spiritual reflection and learning.

Worship hall (Diwan Hall): A central feature of the gurdwara, where everyone sits together on the floor as a symbol of equality.

Community kitchen (Langar): The gurdwara offers free, communal vegetarian meals to all visitors after services, embodying the Sikh principle of selfless service.

Worship services: Regular services are held on Friday evenings and Sundays,featuring kirtan (singing of hymns) in both Gurmukhi and English.

Library: The Guru Arjan Dev Library, located at the gurdwara, offers a collection of books on Sikhism and related subjects in Punjabi, English, and Hindi.

Sikh school: A Punjabi school named Sri Guru Nanak ViDyala offers Gurmukhi and kirtan classes for children.

Special events: The gurdwara hosts celebrations for major Sikh festivals, such as the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Protocols: Visitors are asked to remove their shoes and cover their heads before entering the main worship hall, a sign of respect in Sikh tradition.

Engagement: The community is actively engaged in outreach, including recent efforts to ensure Sikhism is included in Minnesota school curricula.