# Revesby Gurdwara - History, Timings & Visitor Guide | GurdwaraSahib.in > Sri Guru Singh Sabha Revesby — Sydney's first Gurdwara (est. 1978). Daily kirtan, free langar, Punjabi school. Visit 14-22 The River Road, Revesby NSW. # Revesby Gurdwara Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, widely known as the Revesby Gurdwara, is a landmark of Sikh faith and community life in Sydney, Australia. Located at 14–22 The River Road, Revesby, in the Canterbury-Bankstown municipality of New South Wales, this institution holds the distinction of being the first Gurdwara established in Sydney and the third to be founded anywhere in Australia. Its establishment in 1978 marked a pivotal turning point for the Sikh diaspora in New South Wales, providing a permanent spiritual home for a community that had long sought a dedicated place of worship in the nation's largest city. Managed by Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Sydney — an organisation whose roots trace back to a historic founding meeting in November 1976 — the gurdwara complex today spans several properties along The River Road and Victoria Street. This expanded footprint accommodates a full spectrum of religious, educational, and social activities that serve both the Sikh community and the broader multicultural population of Greater Sydney. At its spiritual heart stands the Darbar Sahib, the principal prayer hall where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji — the eternal living Guru of the Sikhs — is reverently installed. Daily programs of Asa di War (morning hymns), Rehras Sahib (evening prayers), and Kirtan (devotional singing) are conducted throughout the week. Extended sessions on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays attract large congregations of families and devotees from across the metropolitan area who gather for prayer, fellowship, and community service. Beyond worship, the Revesby Gurdwara functions as a vibrant community hub. It houses the Guru Nanak Library and operates the Khalsa School, offering Punjabi language instruction on weekends (Saturdays 6–8pm, Sundays 11am–1pm). Additional educational programs include kirtan instruction, Santhia studies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, computer skill classes, and even martial arts training. These programs have been central to transmitting Sikh language, music, and culture to generations of diaspora youth. The langar — the free communal kitchen that is a defining institution of Sikhism — operates daily, welcoming all visitors regardless of religion, background, or nationality. On weekdays, tea and snacks are served from 6:30pm, with the main meal following after kirtan. On Sundays, langar is served from 1:30pm. This daily practice of Seva (selfless service) is sustained by a committed body of volunteers for whom service in the langar is an act of devotion and an expression of Sikh values. With its pioneering history, comprehensive programs, and deep communal roots, the Revesby Gurdwara has become not only a spiritual anchor for Sikhs in New South Wales but also a visible symbol of multicultural Australia's respectful embrace of diverse faiths and traditions. ## Significance The Revesby Gurdwara occupies a position of extraordinary importance in the religious and cultural life of the Australian Sikh community. As the first Sikh place of worship in Sydney and the third in all of Australia, it represents the pioneering determination of a small immigrant community to establish and preserve their faith in a new homeland. In a city that would eventually be home to tens of thousands of Sikhs — the 2021 Australian census recorded 47,165 Sikhs in New South Wales alone — the gurdwara at Revesby served as the foundational spiritual institution upon which a rich diaspora community life was built. Religiously, the gurdwara is centred on the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji — the eternal, living Guru of the Sikhs — which is installed and venerated in the Darbar Sahib. Daily prayers, Kirtan programs, and the observance of all major Gurpurabs (commemorations of the Sikh Gurus' births and martyrdoms) maintain the gurdwara as a living centre of Sikh theology and devotional practice. Culturally, the gurdwara has served as a guardian of Punjabi language, music, and heritage for generations of Sikh youth raised in Australia. Its Punjabi school, Guru Nanak Library, and kirtan instruction programs have been instrumental in sustaining cultural and spiritual continuity within a diaspora community. The universal institution of Langar also gives the gurdwara a broader humanitarian significance, making the values of equality and selfless service tangible and accessible to the entire community — Sikh and non-Sikh alike. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Sikh Temple Sydney, Australia 15 km away Sikh Temple is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Australia. It is situated in Australia, where the Sikh community has grown significantly in recent decades. As with all gurdwaras, Sikh Temple welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ### Sikh Temple Minto, Australia 19 km away Sikh Temple is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Minto, Australia. It is situated in Australia, where the Sikh community has grown significantly in recent decades. As with all gurdwaras, Sikh Temple welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ![Sikh Mission Centre](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/thumb.php?f=Sikh%20Mission%20Centre%2C%20Austral%2001.jpg&w=600) ### Sikh Mission Centre Australia 20 km away Open daily; main congregation services h... The Sikh Mission Centre, located at 170 Ninth Avenue in Austral—a suburb within the City of Liverpool in south-western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia—is one of the most active and prominent Sikh places of worship in the greater Sydney metropolitan area. Established as an organisation in 1988 and opening its dedicated temple complex in Austral in 2010, the gurdwara—meaning 'door to the Guru'—serves as a spiritual home for the growing Sikh diaspora in Sydney's rapidly expanding south-western corridor. The Sikh Mission Centre Sydney Inc., a registered charity in Australia, runs the facility entirely through volunteer effort, embodying the Sikh principle of seva (selfless service). Situated amid the suburban growth of south-western Sydney, the gurdwara draws devotees not only from the immediate Austral and Liverpool areas but from across the broader metropolitan region. The surrounding City of Liverpool local government area has experienced significant demographic growth, with a substantial Punjabi-speaking population making this gurdwara a vital cultural and spiritual hub. The centre serves approximately 5,000 members of the local Sikh community, providing a combination of spiritual nourishment, cultural continuity, and community welfare. Central to the gurdwara's daily life is the perpetual presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal Sikh scripture, enshrined in the Darbar Sahib (main prayer hall). Weekly keertans (devotional hymns), path (scripture readings), and ardas (communal prayers) draw hundreds of worshippers each weekend. The institution also maintains a langar—a free community kitchen—where vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of faith, caste, or background, a tradition central to Sikh philosophy since the time of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. What distinguishes the Sikh Mission Centre is its deep integration into the broader Australian multicultural fabric. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it served as a critical community engagement point, receiving a AUD $20,000 grant from the New South Wales Government under the Empowering and Supporting Local Communities Program in 2021. The centre produced health resources in Punjabi, ensuring vulnerable community members had access to vital health information. NSW Multiculturalism Minister Natalie Ward personally visited the gurdwara in November 2021 to acknowledge the centre's contributions. Bawa Singh Jagdev, a founding pioneer who arrived in Sydney from Punjab in 1975, was instrumental in establishing the centre and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2012, becoming the first Sikh-Australian to receive one of Australia's highest civilian honours. The Sikh Mission Centre stands as both a place of worship and a testament to the resilience and community spirit of Australian Sikhs. Historical ### Sikh Temple Sydney, Australia 20 km away Sikh Temple is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Australia. It is situated in Australia, where the Sikh community has grown significantly in recent decades. As with all gurdwaras, Sikh Temple welcomes visitors of all faiths and backgrounds. The gurdwara serves as a place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy scripture of the Sikhs) is kept with great reverence. The community gathers here for daily prayers (Nitnem), Kirtan (devotional singing of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), and Katha (religious discourse). The gurdwara operates a Langar (community kitchen) where free vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. This practice, established by Guru Nanak Dev Ji and formalized by Guru Angad Dev Ji, embodies the Sikh principles of equality, sharing, and selfless service (Seva). Community ## Detailed History The history of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara at Revesby is inseparable from the broader story of Sikh settlement in Australia. The first Sikhs arrived on Australian shores in the late 1830s, primarily as camel drivers and pastoral workers. However, the White Australia Policy (1901–1973) severely restricted further Sikh and South Asian immigration for much of the twentieth century. It was only after the landmark Racial Discrimination Act passed under the Whitlam government that Sikh migration to Australia's cities began to surge significantly. Australia's first gurdwara was established in Woolgoolga, New South Wales, in 1968, serving the Sikh farming community of the Coffs Harbour region. A second gurdwara followed shortly after. As Sikh families began settling in Sydney in greater numbers through the 1970s, community leaders recognised the urgent need for a dedicated place of worship in the city. Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Sydney was formally founded on 7 November 1976 at a historic meeting convened at the surgery of Dr. Joginder Singh Sekhon in Campbelltown. The founding members present were Dr. Joginder Singh Sekhon, Charan Singh Kooner, Ajit Singh Kalra, Balwant Singh Chadha, and Amrik Singh Pala, and their principal agenda was the establishment of a gurdwara in Sydney. The organisation held its first general meeting on 9 January 1977 at Sydney Grammar High School, where the inaugural executive was elected: President Charan Singh Kooner, Vice President Udam Singh Singhota, Secretary Ajit Singh Kalra, Assistant Secretary Dr. Joginder Singh Sekhon, and Treasurer Bawa Singh Jagdev. On 31 March 1978, the Sabha purchased the properties at 14 and 16 The River Road, Revesby from the Sydney City Mission Centre, vesting them in the names of eleven trustees. The inaugural committee meeting at the new premises was held on 9 April 1978. The first religious ceremony conducted at the gurdwara was the festival of Baisakhi, guided by Giani Teja Singh of Woolgoolga. Over subsequent decades, the complex expanded steadily. In November 1982, the adjoining property at 18 The River Road was acquired for $60,000, enabling the creation of the Khalsa School and Guru Nanak Library. In 1988, 9 Victoria Street was purchased for $110,000 to alleviate parking pressures generated by the growing congregation. A further property at 20 The River Road was added in 1999. The culmination of this growth was the construction of a new, purpose-built gurdwara building funded entirely through community contributions at a cost of over two million dollars — a testament to the collective devotion and generosity of the Sangat (congregation) across generations. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) prayer_hall The principal hall of the gurdwara where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is enshrined on a decorated takht (throne) beneath a canopy. Daily Kirtan and all major religious ceremonies are conducted here. The hall accommodates large congregations on weekends and festival occasions. ### Langar Hall langar_hall The community kitchen and dining hall where free meals (langar) are prepared and served daily to all visitors. This space embodies the Sikh principle of equality and universal service, with volunteers carrying out cooking and serving duties as an act of Seva. ### Khalsa School and Guru Nanak Library museum Established after the acquisition of the adjacent property at 18 The River Road in 1982, this educational facility houses the Guru Nanak Library with resources on Sikh history and theology, and runs the Khalsa School offering Punjabi language instruction and other cultural programs. ### Main Entrance and Nishan Sahib entrance The gurdwara entrance on The River Road is marked by the Nishan Sahib — the tall flagpole bearing the triangular Sikh flag (Khanda) — which serves as the most visible external symbol of the gurdwara and a landmark for visitors approaching from Canterbury Road. ### Community Hall and Parking Complex prayer_hall Properties acquired at 9 Victoria Street (1988) and 20 The River Road (1999) provide additional community spaces, administrative facilities, and the parking area that enables the gurdwara to accommodate large congregations during festivals and Sunday services. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Head covering required (scarves/dupattas available at entrance), shoes must be removed before entering, modest clothing recommended. Avoid sleeveless tops and shorts. ### Photography Generally permitted in communal and exterior areas; seek guidance from staff before photographing inside the Darbar Sahib. Photography should be respectful and unobtrusive. ### Etiquette Cover your head before entering. Remove shoes and wash hands before entering the langar hall. Bow respectfully before the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the Darbar Sahib. Sit cross-legged on the floor in the prayer hall (men and women may sit on separate sides). Alcohol and tobacco are not permitted on the premises. ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) The langar hall accommodates a significant number of diners; precise capacity not publicly documented, but the hall regularly serves large congregations particularly on Sundays and festivals. Seating Capacity ## Architecture The Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara occupies a substantial multi-property complex spanning numbers 14–22 along The River Road, Revesby. The modern gurdwara building, constructed at a cost exceeding two million dollars through community subscription, reflects the characteristic aesthetic of Sikh sacred architecture while incorporating contemporary construction methods appropriate to the Australian suburban setting. The building presents a distinctive white-painted facade with the dome and nishan sahib (Sikh flag) that are hallmarks of gurdwara architecture worldwide, making it a recognisable landmark visible from The River Road. The principal structure houses the Darbar Sahib — the main prayer hall where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is enshrined on a takht (raised throne) beneath a canopy. Adjacent to the prayer hall are areas designated for Ardas (communal supplication) and congregational Kirtan. The langar hall, located within the complex, provides seating and facilities for the daily free meals served to the community. Complementary buildings on the extended site accommodate the Khalsa School, Guru Nanak Library, and utility spaces. Parking access via Victoria Street was developed through deliberate property acquisitions to support large congregational gatherings. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) prayer_hall The principal hall of the gurdwara where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is enshrined on a decorated takht (throne) beneath a canopy. Daily Kirtan and all major religious ceremonies are conducted here. The hall accommodates large congregations on weekends and festival occasions. ### Langar Hall langar_hall The community kitchen and dining hall where free meals (langar) are prepared and served daily to all visitors. This space embodies the Sikh principle of equality and universal service, with volunteers carrying out cooking and serving duties as an act of Seva. ### Khalsa School and Guru Nanak Library museum Established after the acquisition of the adjacent property at 18 The River Road in 1982, this educational facility houses the Guru Nanak Library with resources on Sikh history and theology, and runs the Khalsa School offering Punjabi language instruction and other cultural programs. ### Main Entrance and Nishan Sahib entrance The gurdwara entrance on The River Road is marked by the Nishan Sahib — the tall flagpole bearing the triangular Sikh flag (Khanda) — which serves as the most visible external symbol of the gurdwara and a landmark for visitors approaching from Canterbury Road. ### Community Hall and Parking Complex prayer_hall Properties acquired at 9 Victoria Street (1988) and 20 The River Road (1999) provide additional community spaces, administrative facilities, and the parking area that enables the gurdwara to accommodate large congregations during festivals and Sunday services. ## Events & Celebrations ### festival #### Baisakhi Baisakhi (also Vaisakhi) is one of the most important Sikh festivals, commemorating the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. Celebrated in mid-April, it features extended Kirtan, Ardas, Langar, and community processions. Baisakhi also holds special significance at Revesby as it was the first ever religious function held at the gurdwara in 1978. #### Diwali / Bandi Chhor Divas Sikhs celebrate Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas, marking the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from imprisonment. Special evening Kirtan programs and Langar are held at the gurdwara to mark the occasion. ### gurpurab #### Guru Nanak Gurpurab The birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, is celebrated with great devotion typically in November. Celebrations include Akhand Path (48-hour continuous reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji), Nagar Kirtan (a Sikh procession through the local community), extended Kirtan, and special Langar. #### Gurpurabs of the Sikh Gurus Throughout the Nanakshahi Sikh calendar year, the gurdwara observes the birth and martyrdom anniversaries (Gurpurabs) of all ten Sikh Gurus, including the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji and Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. These are marked with extended prayers, kirtan, and langar. ### weekly #### Sunday Weekly Diwan Every Sunday the gurdwara holds an extended morning Diwan (religious congregation) from 8:30 AM, featuring Asa di War and Kirtan by the resident ragi jatha. This is the largest weekly gathering, attracting families from across the Sydney metropolitan region, followed by daytime Langar from 1:30 PM. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### visiting The gurdwara is open daily. Weekday morning programs run approximately 7:45–8:15 AM, with evening programs from 6:25–7:30 PM (extended on Wednesdays and Fridays). Saturday morning programs begin at 7:00 AM and Sunday at 8:30 AM. Langar (free community meal) is served each evening on weekdays and at lunchtime on Sundays. No. Entry to all Sikh gurdwaras, including Revesby Gurdwara, is entirely free of charge. The langar (community meal) is also offered free to all visitors regardless of faith, nationality, or background. All visitors must cover their head before entering the gurdwara — scarves or dupattas are usually available at the entrance if needed. Shoes must be removed at the entrance. Modest, respectful clothing is recommended; avoid sleeveless tops or very short clothing. Alcohol and tobacco are not permitted on the premises. ### history Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Sydney was founded on 7 November 1976. The gurdwara properties at 14 and 16 The River Road, Revesby were purchased on 31 March 1978 from the Sydney City Mission Centre. It is the first gurdwara in Sydney and the third established in Australia. Over subsequent decades the complex expanded to encompass multiple properties, and a modern building was constructed at a cost of over two million dollars. ### transport The easiest route is by train to Revesby Station on Sydney's East Hills Line, which is approximately 800 metres (a 10-minute walk) from the gurdwara at 14–22 The River Road. Buses along Canterbury Road also connect to the area from Bankstown, Liverpool, and Hurstville. ### programs Yes. The Khalsa School at Revesby Gurdwara runs Punjabi language classes on Saturdays from 6:00–8:00 PM and Sundays from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM. Additional programs include kirtan instruction, Santhia studies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and computer classes. ### events The gurdwara celebrates all major Sikh festivals including Baisakhi (April), Guru Nanak Gurpurab (November), Diwali/Bandi Chhor Divas (October/November), and the Gurpurabs of other Sikh Gurus. The first ever event held at the gurdwara was Baisakhi in 1978, under the guidance of Giani Teja Singh of Woolgoolga. ### volunteering Volunteers are warmly welcomed for Seva (selfless service) in the langar hall — including food preparation, serving, and cleaning — as well as other community activities. Contact the gurdwara by email at Secretary@SydneySikhs.Com or by phone on +61 2 9792 3501. Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) Revesby Gurdwara Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit