More than 200 people are expected to gather at Rotorua's first Sikh temple as it opens its doors for the first time.
The Rotorua Daily Post spoke to three members of New Zealand's Sikh Sangat community who have created the new temple. They chose not to be named as they want to maintain equality within the temple.
Rotorua's Sikh community has grown steadily and three years ago the men began arranging weekly prayer sessions.
"We started out with 10 people, then 20 and when we reached 70 we knew we needed a new venue," they said.
"We think there will be an average of 200-300 people gathering here to pray.
"But when we look to the wider community, people from Taupo and outer Rotorua who currently travel to the temple in Te Puke we could be looking at closer to 500."
The Guru Granth Sahib is read at the new Rotorua Sikh Gurdwara, or temple. Photo/Stephen Parker
The new temple is inside the old StrikeZone building on Ward Ave.
The men said the money to refurbish the building came from donations within the Sikh community.
Minor building setbacks had delayed opening by a month but they were just pleased to be opening their doors.
"This is Rotorua's first Sikh temple and we only need one, we aren't divided into different facets of our religion," they said.
"This is for everyone."
A Sikh temple, or Gurdwara, is where Sikh come to meditate, be spiritually uplifted and enjoy food together as a community.
Free food for all is a core principal of Sikh Gurdwaras and volunteers will be working in the community kitchen from 4.30am every day.
"We all sit together and chat together and eat together to make sure we're all one," the men said.
The central scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, will sit within the main hall of the temple, with a restroom to the side where it will be placed from 7.30pm to 5.30am.
"We have to show respect to the book, we cannot read it if we are intoxicated with alcohol or drugs, and we must be clean," the members said.
The temple is set to open today and any members of the community are welcome. Things to do before visiting the temple - Dress modestly - Cover your head - Do not be intoxicated - Remove your socks and shoes - Wash your hands
Sikh religion - There is one God, or one creator. - People are all equal, their equality across genders, religions, races, nationalities and sexual orientation. - Sitting together to eat as equals is a core principle. - There were 10 living gurus. - The 11th guru, or Guru Granth Sahib, is their scripture. - The Guru Granth Sahib is often sung, to awaken the soul. - People reading the Guru Granth Sahib will cover their mouth to avoid potentially making the book dirty.
