I went to this temple today March 26, 2024 around noon with my boyfriend, and had a horrible…read moreunwelcoming experience. Keep in mind I am half Indian and half Chinese, so I don't outwardly look Indian. My boyfriend is from El Salvador, so he doesn't look Indian either. And, we are both 19. But we have gone to multiple Gurdwaras with my dad, who is Indian. And, the Gurdwara is supposed to be welcoming to all people. He had a lot of good things to say about the temple, so we decided to check it out ourselves.
We went in and gave our respects, prayed, and donated to the temple. All meanwhile wearing decent clothing, and covering our heads. We then went to Langar to get food. We both washed our hands prior to eating which is something we always do before eating, to be respectful. We grab food and everything is find until we go to grab chai. We both get up after eating and head towards the table to get cups, but then we were stopped by the men and the cook saying that we had to go wash our hands again between every meal. This is not standard, and they all started shouting at us to wash our hands again. Keep in mind, the men in there were grabbing rounds of food and chai without washing their hands before every time they grabbed food. In Gurdwara we show our respect by washing our hands before eating, but no need to wash our hands over and over. And, this is what the men were asking us.
We walk out to wash our hands then leave because we were feeling unwanted and targeted at a Sikh temple which is supposed to welcome everyone. As I am very anxious, I was trying to gather myself in the bathroom, but one of the Sikh men started talking to my boyfriend. He was explaining their practices to him, and we didn't argue because we did not want to create a scene in a holy place like the Temple. But the Sikh man constantly said that we had to wash our hands between every meal, which I know is not true from going to around 5 other Gurdwaras with my dad. We then felt too uncomfortable and left and my boyfriend was on his way to grab my bag from the eating area.
As he was walking to grab my bag, one of the Sikh men that was also in the eating area asked him "Is that your girlfriend?" And my boyfriend replied yes, and then the Sikh man proceeded to say "She is very sexy, nice" with a thumbs up. How disgusting is this to say in general let alone the Temple! This was beyond disgusting and inappropriate. This is sexual harassment. But, nothing is said to this man huh? Nothing is said to the Indian man but instead the two foreign looking people who were being respectful the whole time. I have never felt more uncomfortable.
As my boyfriend then tried to keep his cool after the Indian man said that comment, not wanting to start a scene; the Sikh men tried to convince me and my boyfriend to stay after being treated so unkindly. But we hurried and left quickly. This was the worst experience I have ever had anywhere.
I would not recommend anyone is not Indian to go. You will be treated like and outsider and be targeted by all the men and workers there. Nonetheless, if you are a woman do not go alone. I am glad I had my boyfriend was there so they wouldn't try anything on me. Don't even go if your are half Indian because you will not be treated with respected or decency.
It's so disappointing to see a Gurdwara like this that is so unwelcoming to anyone that doesn't look Indian. Sikhism is a welcoming religion, and the people volunteering at this temple are clearly not being welcoming. I have never encountered this at any other Gurdwara, but that is probably because I have gone with my dad who does looking Indian. So disgusting how the people treat new comers at this temple. I wouldn't recommend this temple to anyone. And if you are a woman, don't come alone unless you want to be subjected.
It's not worth the chance coming to this Gurdwara knowing that you might encounter people like this working there.
I have also seen another review of a woman coming here, and have to say that coming here to solely just eat is completely disrespectful and rude. But, the harassment she faced here regarding sexual assault and sexual comments said towards her is not surprising to me knowing how my visit here was. And the fact that they also told her to wash her hands between every meal. If you are going to be enforcing rules, make sure they are enforced to EVERYONE.
Be careful going here. I would never recommend it to anyone. Go to any other Gurdwara.
