Sikhs are followers of Sikhism, an Indian religion that originated in the Punjab in northwest India. In 1995, India had approximately 18.7 million Sikhs, 1.9% of the population with other small communities in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Malaysia, East Africa and Ireland.

The Sikh community in Sandymount started about 1988 when the Oscar theatre was bought and made into a temple with help from Sikhs in England. Their numbers kept increasing and now some Sundays there are from 200 to 250 followers.

I went along to Guru Nanak Guraivara Temple to speak to Dr. Puri, head of the Sikh community in Ireland. I took off my shoes and put on a head dress, some wear turbans. Then I entered the area of worship where most of the followers were. They approached the gurdwara and donated something to the upkeep of their community.

Most people sat in lotus position or stood, as the ceremony continued and music was played to enhance the ceremony.

The ceremony lasted for about two hours and was followed by a communal meal, which was Indian style chapati, chick peas and yogurt, which serves as their communion and as I talked to Dr. Puri I could see that everyone was busy talking about their daily lives and enjoying what was in front of them. The special food semolina pudding is also served while the ceremony is in progress. The congregation is made up of people from different backgrounds.

The Dasam Granth is considered to be their sacred book like the bible for Christians and their head is called guru, which is a word meaning from darkness into light, much like the Pope of Catholicism. Guru Nanak was their first leader and from him and the following gurus came their Holy Scripture.