Granthi

Granthi is the one who performs the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib.

In the video below, a granthi is talking about the post's qualifications.

Darshan through the Darshani Deorrhi

'Darshan' in Hinduism is the auspicious viewing of a statue of a deity, or the vision of one, or of a person, for example a guru. In Sikhism it may be applied to seeing the Guru Granth Sahib or hearing the words contained in it. (Source: A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism by W.O.Cole and P.S.Sambhi)

The first glimpse of a Sikh shrine is meant to be had through a darshani deorrhi, and one has to pass through this before entering the main shrine. Usually, the devotee prostrates (maatha tekna) at this place.

In the video below, a granthi demonstrates the manner in which a devotee enters the gurdwara.

Amrit

Literally nectar. This is made from water into which sugar crystals (patashas) have been stirred with a double-edged sword, a khanda, while certain scriptural passages are recited. It is used in naming and initiation ceremonies. (Source: A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism by W.O.Cole and P.S.Sambhi)

Mere water, sugar cubes, double edged sword and the bowl all symbolise something:

Water- a symbol of life, cleanliness and purity as well as coolness and humility.
Sugar Cakes- easily soluble, symbolise the breakdown of social divisions and caste barriers as well as love and sweetness.
'Khanda'- the double edged steel sword is symbolic of strength, power, single-mindedness and determination.
'Baata'- the bowl symbolises the human mind where all the above virtues have taken a new shape.

(Source: Canteach)

A devotee driking amrit

Darbar Sahib

The Darbar is the main hall in the Gurdwara, it is here that all ceremonies are performed. Shoes must be removed and head covered. Behavior inside the Darbar must reflect utmost respect.

Inside the Darbar, there is a stage or platform on which the Guru Granth Sahib is placed, it is covered by a sheet of cloth known as a Ramala. There is a canopy above the scriptures. There is normally another platform - placed lower than the Guru Granth Sahib. This is the main stage and all speeches, narration and kirtan is performed from here.

A person enters the Darbar and walks towards the Guru Granth Sahib. When the person is before the Guru, they would place any offerings before the Guru; these offerings might be money, food or even a cloth (from which a Ramala would later be made); however the offering of a gift is not mandatory. Following that, the person would bow down before the Guru, their knees on the floor and their forehead on the ground. After that, they would sit on the floor. (Source: Discover Sikhism)

In the video below, a granthi explains the term diwan asthan and takes us to the darbar.

Prakash Asthan

Prakash is a Punjabi word meaning 'light, radiance, awakening, enlightenment'. Prakash Asthan is the space in the Gurdwara which houses the Guru Granth Sahib. In some gurdwaras it is in the centre of the building while at others this may be at the farthest end of a hall to allow a large sitting place for the devotees. It is also the name given to the ceremony for the act of bringing the Sri Guru Granth Sahib from the Sachkhand to the Darbar at dawn every day. During the day, the Guru Granth Sahib is seated on a raised stage (Palki Sahib) as the focal point in a congregation or Gurdwara. When being brought to the open court, it is carried on one's head to symbolize that it is above human ego. Sacred mantars are chanted during the act.

In the video below, a granthi explains the concept of prakash.

Gurdwara Janam Asthan's Prakash Asthan.

In the video below, a granthi explains Prakash Asthan's significance with respect to inter-faith unity.

Chaur Sahib

A bunch of hair with a wooden, silver or golden handle used as a fly-whisk for fanning the Guru Granth Sahib. This is done as a matter of respect. At the time of the first installation of Guru Granth Sahib in the Golden Temple, Guru Arjan waved the Chaur himself. (Source: The Encyclopedia of Sikhism by Dr. H.S. Singha)

In the video below, a granthi explains and demonstrates the use of chaur sahib.

Ardas

The petition of a servant to a superior, used as the name of the formal Sikh prayer which begins and/or ends almost every ritual. Ardas has three parts. The first is the historical calling to mind of the achievements of the Gurus and other important Sikhs as well as significant historical events; the second invokes blessings upon the Khalsa and all humanity; the third presents the special needs of the congregation to God and naturally changes according to circumstances. (Source: A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism by W.O.Cole and P.S.Sambhi)

In the video below, a granthi explains the timings of ardas.

In the video below, a granthi explains what is recited in ardas.

Hukam

After the prayer, the Guru Granth Sahib is opened at a random page and the hymn found at the top of the left-hand page (Vak or Hukam) is read. The text is considered to be a relevant lesson for the day. (Source: BBC)

Akhand Path

An uninterrupted reading of the Guru Granth Sahib from beginning to end, undertaken by a series of readers to ensure that no break occurs. It is timed to take about forty-eight hours but should be conducted in such a way that there must be no haste and the words are read accurately, pronounced clearly, and can be heard and understood by the listeners.

Normally they take place at gurpurab, the major festival celebrating Guru Nanak's birthday in late autumn, ending before dawn on the day of the celebration. Families also arrange them on various occasions such as weddings, death anniversaries, moving into a new house or business premises.

The origin of the akhand path is uncertain but it can be traced to the eighteenth century. In those turbulent times it would have been a means of uniting and strengthening spiritually, scattered and threatened groups. Its popularity doubtless increased with the availability of printed copies of the Guru Granth Sahib in the nineteenth century." (Souce: A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism by W.O.Cole and P.S.Sambhi)

In the video below, a granthi explains the concept of akhand path.

Devotees participating in the act of Akhand Path during a festival.

Kirtan

A musical rendering of the gurbani, the congregational singing of compositions from the Guru Granth Sahib, Dasam Granth, Bhai Gurdas, or Bhai Nandlal. These are often accompanied by instruments but this is not essential. The ragis (musicians) who perform kirtan should be Sikhs according to Rahit Maryada but Muslim descendants of Mardana also perform kirtan in gurdwaras. (Source: A Popular Dictionary of Sikhism by W.O.Cole and P.S.Sambhi)

The video below is of a granthi explaining the history of kirtan.

In the video below, a granthi talks about the musical aspects of kirtan.

Kirtan is performed here

Nitnem

It is laid down in Sikh Rahat Maryada that every Sikh should daily recite Gurbanis (writings of the Gurus). This daily routine is called nitnem. The Gurbanis included in the Nitnemare are:

Japji by Guru Nanak to be recited at Amrit Vela.
Japu Sahib by Guru Gobind Singh for Amrit Vela.
Rehras which comprises hymns of Guru Nanak, Guru Amardas, Guru Ramdas and Guru Arjan to be recited at sunset.
Sohila by Guru Nanak which is recited at the time of retiring to bed. (Source: The Encyclopaedia of Sikhism by Dr. H.S. Singha)

In the video below, a granthi explains what is recited in nitnem.

In the video below, a granthi talks about the difference between kirten and nitnem.

Langar

Langar is the communal meal shared by Sikhs at the end of each worship service at the Gurdwara. Inclusion and equality are central to this ritual. Food is cooked on-site by many visitors of all genders, including the Hindus who regularly attend the Gurdwara. Though vegetarianism is not a tenet of Sikhism, food served during Langar is always vegetarian so that all may partake, regardless of religious or medical dietary restrictions. During Langar, everyone sits cross-legged on rugs laid out in rows. On particularly crowded days, some people stay mingling in the Divan hall until spots open in the Langar hall. At this Gurdwara, Langar is served by men, women and children who pass out disposable trays, spoons, cups and napkins to those seated. The serving process, much like the worship, is constant, with servers passing up and down the rows constantly, calling out the names of the dishes in their serving buckets, often singing or humming. People eat each dish as it is served, and more food is added as the servers pass by. Special care is taken to finish all food, as waste is highly discouraged. (Source: Religions in Minnesota, Caleton College)

In the video below, a granthi talks about the history of langar.

Karah Prashad

Worship at the Gurdwara ends with the passing of Karah Parshad, a warm, sweet dough made of wheat flour, sugar, and clarified butter. Before the Karah Prasad is served, children worshipping at the Gurdwara gather at the front of the Divan hall to pass napkins to each visitor. Adults follow the children, carrying large silver bowls of dough and serving it with their freshly washed hands. Worshippers recieve the dough in their cupped hands, and many bring their hands to their hands to their bowed heads in gratitude before consuming it.

The dough is 'God's leftovers', and thus deeply sacred. While food waste of any kind is discouraged at the Gurdwara, consuming one's entire portion of Karah Parshad is especially important, as the dough is seen as being a gift from the guru and carries deep meaning. (Source: Religions in Minnesota, Carlton College)

A bowl of Karah Prashad, ready to eat.

Samapti

Samapti is the closure of ceremonies for the day, usually in the evening. The congregation or sangat departs.

In the video below, a granthi explains Samapti in detail.

Sukhasan

It is a Punjabi word with 2 roots. The first root is 'sukh' which means comfort, pleasure or bliss. The second root is 'asan' which means position or posture. Together, the word 'sukhasan' means to attain a posture of comfort or simply to sleep or lie down.

When used in connection with the Guru Granth Sahib, this is the name for the protocol normally used by Sikhs at the end of the day after Samapti to 'retire' the Sikh Holy Scriptures (the Holy Granth) to a special bed-room which is air-conditioned, has an elaborate set of clean and decorative rumalas and a chauri sahib. (Source: Sikhwiki)

In the video below, a granthi takes us to the room where Guri Ji is put into sukhasan. The room is not open to public.

The Jand Tree

There is a Jand tree about 12 metres to the right of Chaukhandi Gurdwara Janam Asthan. Mahant Narain had hanged Jathedar Bhai Lachman Singh upside down by this tree and burnt him alive on 20 February 1920. (Source: Historical Sikh Shrines in Pakistan by Iqbal Qaiser)

In the video below, a granthi explains the history of the Jand Tree.

In the video below, a granthi describes the significance of Jand tree to the devotees.

Jand tree inside Gurdwara Janam Asthan

The plaque around Jand Tree