Sacred Scripture is Welcomed into New Sikh Temple

December 5, 2008

Author: Angela Lau

Source: The Union-Tribune

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20081205-9999-1mi5temple.html

The heart and soul of North County's first Sikh temple arrived in Escondido yesterday.

The 1,430-page Sanskrit scripture, or Guru Granth Sahib, covered in silk cloth, was reverently carried atop a Sikh elder's head into the new Sikh Society of San Diego temple on Avenida del Diablo. A man waving a fan made of artificial hair, called a chor, followed behind to keep away insects.

The temple will open to Sikhs and non-Sikhs at 6 a.m. today, for a three-day, round-the-clock scripture reading that will end about 3 p.m. Sunday.

Those interested in seeing the temple are invited to an open house all day Sunday.

After that, anyone can attend sunrise and sunset prayer services, as long as they cover their heads and remove their shoes before entering the temple, said Baljit Singh Toor, chairman of the local Sikh Society.