Sikhs began to settle in Gravesham in the 1950s. In the first of a series of features looking at cultural diversity in the borough, reporter ALISON WHITE takes an in-depth look at the religion.

FOLLOWERS of Sikhism have made a noticable impression in Gravesham. The Sikh community has shaped the skyline of the borough by constructing one of the largest Sikh temples in Europe.

Khalsa Avenue in Gravesend, the site of the new temple, is named after men and women who have been initiated into the Sikh faith.

And on a quiet afternoon gentlemen wearing traditional turbans, compulsory for Sikh men, can be seen taking strolls through the town centre.

The impact of the religion may stem from its large presence in the borough.

Gravesham boasts the second largest Sikh community nearly seven per cent of the community in the whole of the south east.

Sikhs currently worship at the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara, a Sikh temple, in Clarence Place.

The temple, which officially opened in 1968, has a hall for worship, nursery facilities, daycare services for the elderly and welfare services.

There is also a separate education centre offering Punjabi GCSE, A level and religious studies to Sikh youngsters and a sports centre.

Within a few years the shape of worship will be transformed with the opening of a new £8m Gurdwara, which is being funded entirely by the Sikh community.

So far nearly £4m has been raised towards the cost of building, which will contain three prayer rooms, two kitchens and two function rooms for ceremonies.

At the moment 13 stonemasons are cladding the building in marble and granite shipped from India.

It is hoped the temple will open its doors in 2008.

However, the Gurdwara is far from being an exclusive place for Sikh worshippers.

A warm welcome is extended to the community to visit the temple and use the new facilities when they are ready.

The community always turns out in force in April to enjoy Vaisakhi celebrations, an annual festival held to celebrate the birth of Sikhism.

Gravesend hosts one of the biggest Vaisakhi processions in the UK, which draws thousands of people every year.

And a joint celebration is held by Hindus and Sikhs to celebrate Divali, the festival of light, in the autumn.

Tarsem Singh Mahil, a member of the Gurdwara management committee, says there is no friction behind Sikhs and other religious groups in Gravesham.

He said: "We like to live and let them live.

"The Sikh community is quite large in Gravesham and this is why we are managing to build a big significant building."

Former Gravesham mayor councillor Narinderjit Singh Thandi said: "I like to call Gravesham the capital of culture for Kent.

"It is racially harmonious because of the hard work from all of the community, the police and the council.

"We do not like to blame people for problems. We simply want to solve things by working together."

Facts about religion

  • THE Sikh religion has a following of more than 20 million people and is ranked as the world's fifth-largest religion.
  • Sikhs follow the writings and teachings of the 10 Sikh Gurus.
  • They believe there is only one God.
  • Sikhs live their life with a devotion to God at all times.
  • They believe everyone is equal and superstitions and blind rituals have no value.
  • Khalsa Sikh men take the name Singh, which means lion, while Khalsa Sikh women take the name Kaur, which means princess.
  • A free community kitchen serving meals to people of all faiths can be found at every Gurdwara.