THE growing northside Sikh community will soon have a place to worship close by with the construction of a new gurdwara or temple in Lemke Rd, Taigum.
With roadworks leading to the $6 million gurdwara already under way, construction is expected to be complete by late 2016.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF NORTH BRISBANE'S GROWING MULTICULTURAL HUB?
Sikh community member Gary Singh said the new temple would be a great benefit for northsiders, who hitherto have been forced to travel across town to Eight Mile Plains to worship at its gurdwara.
“As many as 60 or 70 northside families currently travel to the Brisbane Sikh temple gurdwara at Eight Mile Plains and this number has significantly grown over the last years,” he said.
He added that preference was given to the site at Lemke Rd because of the strong Sikh community in Taigum and surrounding areas.
It is also close to other places of worship, including the Salvation Army, Greek Orthodox Church at Taigum, Taoist Temple and Seventh Day Adventist Church at Deagon.
The
new two-storey Taigum gurdwara will incorporate a large 
worship
space, meeting rooms, community garden and library, kitchen and
on-site parking.
As part of construction, the temple will also include four doors, one on each side, symbolising that “everyone is welcome”.
Mr Singh said anyone could visit the gurdwara when it opened, so long as they respected certain rules such as wearing some form of head covering and removing shoes and socks when entering the prayer hall. As well, visitors cannot be under the influence of alcohol, nor can they be smoking.
“As a part of the Sikh faith, free food is provided to anyone and everyone who visits,” he said.
At a ceremony to mark the beginning of the gurdwara’s construction, the Sikh community thanked consultants for the project and local politicians, by presenting them with plaques.
Councillor Victoria Newton (Deagon) said she welcomed the diversity in the community through organisations such as Singh Saba.
WHAT IS SIKHISM?
Sikhism is a monotheistic faith formed in the fifteenth century by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Sikhism recognises God as the only One and the Guru delivers His message.
Sikh Gurus showed everyone how to be close to God while living a family life, creating a lifestyle for Sikhs. Those who follow this lifestyle, which includes rituals such as taking part in meditation, living an honest lifestyle and more, are less likely to deviate from the path to God.
Sikhs eat simple vegetarian food and do not drink alcohol, smoke or drugs because it is an obstruction in meeting God.
They
also believe everyone has a purpose and life offers an opportunity
for self and God realisation. Salvation can only be attained by
meditation of God. Sikhism emphasises that normal family life is no
barrier to salvation. That it is possible to live detached in the
midst of worldly ills and temptations.