Brief History and Evolution of our Palatine Gurdwara:
Sikhs, an Asian Indian Community, found United States a peaceful home over 150 years ago and have considered United States an important and a necessary part of their lives. Early ‘American Sikhs’ were mostly farmers and hardworking honest laborers. These immigrants help build U.S. railroads as they established their place in the Community. The United States Constitution allows people in the US to have freedom of religion, freedom of Speech, a free press, and free assembly. The ‘American Sikh’ immigrants have respectfully adopted these rules; and continue to reap benefits of freedom of speech, religion, press and assembly.
Sikhism, a monotheistic religion, follows the teaching of ten Gurus (Teachers). The first Guru and founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak’s teachings is practiced by Sikhs in three ways:
- SHARING WITH OTHERS, HELPING THOSE WITH LESS WHO ARE IN NEED
- EARNING/MAKIG A LIVING HONESTLY, WITHOUT EXPLOITATION OR FRAUD
- MEDITATING ON GOD’S NAME TO CONTROL YOUR EGO AND LIVE A HAPPY LIFE
Early Sikh settlers in the Yuba city, California built the first Gurudwara, a Sikh’s place for worship. These early American Sikh practiced and exemplified Guru Nanak’s teachings and upheld honesty, integrity and Sewa (helping others ) in building their Character and also their contribution to the society, Guru Nanak’s fundamentals and Sikh’s honest living inspired many other denominations to adopt Sikh philosophical concepts. The Sikh’s non deceptive and truthful character living inspired and influenced others and persuaded residents of California to elect Dilip Singh Saund as a member of U.S. Congress in 1956. Dilip Singh, himself, inspired by the teachings of Sikh Gurus at an early age and later impressed by Abraham Lincoln (16th President of USA) became a U.S. citizen in 1949, elected judge of Justice Court (1952-1957) and three (3) time elected member of US congress (D) (1957-1963). His incomparable accomplishments including the first American of Indian origin elected to US Congress are unparalleled and provide confidence and encouragement for American Politics to future generation Indian Americans. We can indeed be proud of this “Unique Individual” and his contribution.
In 1960-1970 time period, many Sikhs moved to Midwest and Eastern part of the USA to attend notable Universities with purpose and aim of achieving educational knowledge and skills to improve their standard of living. The Sikh Scientists and researchers introduced innovative technical ideas and advancements to contribute to the USA economy and growth. The early Sikh settlers in the Midwest rented a Park District Hall in Lombard, Illinois to perform Sikh Prayers. Here Sikhs met and continued Sikh Heritage of worship and shared Guru Nanak’s teachings and blessings.
In short time the Sikh Group assembly grew to be more than 100 families. It was notably evident at this point Sikhs needed their own place of worship which conformed to the Sikh heritage and allowed Sikhs to perform their daily prayers and duties.
In 1974 Sikhs formed Sikh Religious Society, a non-profit organization, in Palatine, Illinois. Sikh Religious Society-Palatine Gurudwara formally held the first Prakash Divas (the ceremonial acceptance of Guru GRANTH Sahib {Sikh’s holy scripture/book} at this new place of worship in 1975. This “First Ceremony “was out door around trees and thorny bushes and a nearby standing water Swamp. At this time there was no indoor! Soon after the ceremony, Sikhs broke grounds and started to build foundation for what is now a beautifully architecture house of worship in Palatine. It is surrounded by an attractive and beautifully maintained landscape with rolling meadows, Green lush fruit trees and colorful plants and flowers.
The inside temple is culmination of vast research, input and visits to historical and modern temples. Our Architect/Engineers visited Sikh Temples in India and their inspiration came from, among other temples, Hemkunt Saheb and the historical and Sikhs main shrine-The Golden Temple. Palatine Sikh Gurudwara has four (4) main entrances or 4 main doors facing east, west, north and south, spreading secular Message of Universal Brotherhood and Equality and Universal Sikh Teachings.
The wasteful lands of Sixties is now transformed to a beautiful free standing structure surrounded by green lush grounds, studded with fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs and beautiful flower beds and this has added beauty to the natural surroundings and this is our Pride and Joy.
Our facilities are spread over 16+ acres of land and comprises of our Main Dewan Hall, the Sukh Assan Hall, Langar Hall, Modern Kitchen, Gurmat School, Medical Center, Seniors Center and Sikh Media Centre and Sikh Library. We have these facilities operated, manned and run by the Volunteers. In addition, we have several hundred Volunteers under the banner of “Kar Sewa”- whose dedication, relentless Volunteering spirit and Contributions are shining examples of our Beloved Gurus who taught us to care and share what we have, with the Blessings of Gurus, with others who are in need and are deserving and helpless.
The Gurudwara is owned by the Sikh Religious Society and is operated by the Board of Trustees for the benefit of the Sikh Congregation. This Gurudwara focus on Sikh religious services, Punjabi language/ Kirtan classes. Another focus of this society is the Communal, Charitable and Non Profit endowers of the society in which we live in.
Please visit us if you can, all of the four doors are open to welcome you, your family and friends. If you have any question, please drop us a note, using the “Contact Us”.