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https://eu.rgj.com/story/life/arts/2014/05/25/sikh-community-flourishes-northern-nevada/9513751/ @GurjantGnostic - one for you ! Sikh community flourishes in Northern Nevada KATRINA SMITH | RGJ This story is part of an occasional series on culture. Arts and culture reporter Katrina Smith will share the norms, religion and lives of various cultures who call Northern Nevada their home. To see a video of the food and traditions of a local Hindu family, go to RGJ.com/life. A man stands in the opening hallway, barefoot. His head is covered with a black turban and he wears loose white pants, a long white shirt. His dark beard drapes over his shirt and chest. Sikhs participate in a Sunday service at the Reno-Tahoe Sikh Gurughar Temple. PHOTOS BY CALEB WILSON, SPECIAL TO THE RGJ Tucked into his belt is a short, decorative knife. He enters through a door to another room where a sign above it reads: Please cover your head and keep shoes off beyond this door. In the Sikh Temple of Reno (Gurudwara), hundreds of shoes are scattered in cubby holes and along the floor near the front doors. Music can be heard beyond the doors and blue head scarves are available in a basket alongside a small area to cleanse feet before entering into the service room of the temple. The temple commands all who enter are respectful, peaceful and open-minded. And, most importantly, all welcome. Growing up Sikh Sikh children eat lunch during Sunday service at the Reno-Tahoe Sikh Gurughar Temple. CALEB WILSON, SPECIAL TO THE RGJ Priya Sanga, 12, sat down on the steps of the temple. She had been racing with a friend across the parking lot barefoot, the long fabric of her yellow and purple dress flowing behind her. Her girlfriends are dressed in similar colorful dresses and sit bunched together on the steps, watching the boys play ball. She said she likes dressing up in traditional Indian attire, but doesn't wear it every day, or to school. It's for special occasions or Sunday service at the temple. "Some people know about Sikhism and think it's really cool; that we're giving," Sanga said. "Other people dislike it and think we're weirdos when they see us covered (in clothing) this much." The boys stopped playing ball and joined the girls on the steps. They were eager to talk about their religion and culture, which they said is very much entwined together. Kirat Dhillon, 13, agreed with Sanga about their traditional attire and said there have been some incidents with wearing turbans for boys and men. Especially when they wear it to school. "Some people think we're terrorists," Dhillon said. "There was a shooting last year in Wisconsin, in a Sikh temple, because a person thought the Sikhs were terrorists. We did prayers for them. We're a really open religion. Sometimes, homeless people come in and ask for food, and we let them in." All the children and teens agreed they have experienced some negative commentary on how they look or behave as Sikhs. "We let Christians or anyone come in (to temple)," Sanga said. "Sometimes there are people of different races that come here and they get scared because they think we're going to do something to them. As long as they don't harm us, we're not going to do anything to anyone." The youth started talking over each, echoing her point: "We're open-minded; peaceful; equal women and women; we let anybody join or come to our temple. People think we're Muslim." Dhillon said over the voices, "There was a fight long ago between the Muslims, Punjabis (origin of Sikhism) and Hindus. They had to split the area up after that." Sanga agreed. She said today, Muslims still don't like Sikhs because in the early days of the Sikh religion, they wouldn't convert to Islam. She said a lot of Sikhs lost their lives. "When Muslims find out I'm a Sikh they are a little distant with me and not as friendly anymore. Being Sikh does make enemies a little bit, even though it's a great religion and culture, but there's a lot of past history," Sanga said. "It can be a little scary sometimes." Sanga said there is a wide variety of culture and ethnicities at her school, but she still believes Sikhs experience some racism in the community. "I think our religion stands out," she said. "We don't really tell people about it because of racism or people thinking we're Muslim. People judge us." Sikh service The air is fragrant and spice-filled. A man chants to the rhythm of drumming. Dishes clink in the kitchen and women talk in hushed voices. Sunday service at the temple is a time for Sikhs to come together to meditate, pray and reflect on the words from their sacred book, Guru Granth Sahib. During Sunday services, a variety of food is prepared at the Sikh Temple. PHOTOS BY CALEB WILSON/SPECIAL TO THE RGJ They also come to eat. A wide offering of vegetarian food, from snacks that include fruit and sweet Jalebi, a wheat flour and sugar syrup mixture, to a buffet of rice, lentils, okra, yogurt and salad, are part of their culture and service. Before joining the lunch line, one Sikh man said, "A man's stomach should be full before service. That way, he is not thinking of his belly when he should be listening to the words." The service in the temple runs for several hours on Sundays and is open to anyone, of any race, gender, ethnicity or religion. Inside the service room, men, women and children sit and listen to the chanting and drumming. A man walks toward the altar at the front of the room, puts cash on the altar as a contribution and returns to his seat on the floor. In 1469, Sikhism was created by Guru Nanak, according to Amolak Powar, secretary of the temple. It was formed as a way to cease the India caste-system and create equality; respect and honor oneself and others; and to be peaceful and conscientious human beings. Within the Guru Granth Sahib is a collections of teachings and includes writings from the first Guru Nanak in 1469 to the 10th Guru Gobind Singh in 1708, as well as relevant and important writings from Hindus and Muslims. "The majority of India celebrates Hinduism, but in the northwestern area of Punjab in India, Sikhism was born," Powar said. "That region is very much like California weather like and it's a farming community. It borders Pakistan and only two percent of India is Sikh." Culture growth Powar came to Los Angeles from India in 1984. He said like many Sikhs, he joined the business class and started his business career with a messenger service. He said Los Angeles was expensive and he found a business opportunity in Reno, where he could make the same amount of money, but live more affordably. In 1990, he relocated to Northern Nevada and continued to grow as a business owner with gas stations. "In the beginning of living here in Reno, it was tough. People had their own ways here, born here, and it was difficult for them to accept other people," Powar said. "When you go to metropolitan cities, the communities are mixed and it's easier. There are huge numbers of Punjabis in those areas." He said when he first moved to Reno, people were having a hard time with foreigners because of Desert Storm and people thought he was Arabian. He said today, it's easier because there is more of mixed culture in Northern Nevada which began when Mexican, Chinese and African-American communities began to move into the area. "When things are mixed, it's acceptable," Powar said. "That's the way it is any place in the world—like an American in India, they would think, 'Who is this?' It's human nature. People have different ways of thinking, but don't associate me with that; we're different." When Powar began going to the first Reno Sikh temple, then located on Second Street, in 1990, he said there would be two or three families at service. Today, at the new temple on Selmi Drive, more than 200 families attend services. He said throughout the past two decades, many Sikhs have relocated to the area for business opportunities, cost of living or because their families live here. Kashmir Singh leads Sunday service at the Reno Sikh Temple. CALEB WILSON, SPECIAL TO THE RGJ "In the beginning, I didn't have money. I stayed in Reno and worked hard, expanded and tried to make a living, and a better life," Powar said. "I like my life here and then Indians and Punjabis came in and it's a home now. It's comfortable." SIHK TEMPLE OF RENO Sunday services are offered every Sunday starting at 10 a.m. WHERE: 1380 Selmi Drive DETAILS: www.renotahoesikhnet.com