# Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan Temple - History, Timings & Visitor Guide | GurdwaraSahib.in > Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan Temple, Normanton Derby — a Ravidassia gurdwara honouring the 15th-century saint. Free entry, daily langar & visitor info. # Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan Temple Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan Temple is a Ravidassia place of worship situated on Duncan Road in the Normanton ward of Derby, Derbyshire, in the East Midlands of England. The temple serves as a focal spiritual and community hub for the Ravidassia community of Derby and the surrounding region, providing a sacred space for devotional worship, congregational prayer, langar (community kitchen), and social services rooted in the egalitarian teachings of Guru Ravidass Ji. The Ravidassia faith draws its inspiration from the life and poetry of Sant Guru Ravidass Ji, a 15th-century mystic poet-saint born near Varanasi, whose 40 hymns are enshrined in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib — the eternal living scripture of the Sikh faith. Uniquely among gurdwaras in the United Kingdom, the title board of the Guru Ravidass Sabha in Derby prominently displays both the Ek Onkar and Khanda emblems alongside the 'Harr' symbol, visibly marking it as both a Sikh Gurdwara and a Ravidassia temple — a distinctive feature that speaks to the community's deep roots in both traditions. Normanton, where the temple is located, is one of Derby's most ethnically diverse wards, with approximately 43% of its population from an Asian background, and is home to multiple places of worship reflecting the rich spiritual heritage of the South Asian diaspora. The Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan Temple stands as one of the most prominent religious institutions in this community, offering daily services including Nitnem (daily prayers), Kirtan (devotional singing), Ardas (congregational prayer), and the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib. The temple is open to all visitors regardless of caste, creed, or background — in keeping with the core Ravidassia and Sikh principle of universal brotherhood and equality. Langar, a free vegetarian communal meal, is served daily, embodying the tradition of Seva (selfless service) that lies at the heart of the faith. The temple also hosts cultural and educational programmes including Punjabi language classes, youth activities, and festive celebrations for major Ravidassia and Sikh occasions such as Guru Ravidass Jayanti, Baisakhi, and Diwali. Derby itself is home to one of the East Midlands' largest Sikh communities, with 9,762 Sikhs recorded in the 2021 Census. The Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan Temple plays an essential role in preserving and transmitting Ravidassia spiritual identity, Punjabi cultural heritage, and community solidarity across generations, acting as a gathering point for worshippers, families, and newcomers to the faith. It is a living testament to the enduring legacy of Guru Ravidass Ji's vision of a world free from caste discrimination and spiritual inequality. ## Significance Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan Temple in Derby holds profound religious and cultural significance for the Ravidassia community of the East Midlands and beyond. It is dedicated to Sant Guru Ravidass Ji (c. 1377–1540 CE), one of the most revered poet-saints of the North Indian Bhakti movement, whose teachings on spiritual equality, devotion to a formless God, and rejection of caste hierarchy continue to resonate powerfully in both India and the diaspora. Forty of Guru Ravidass Ji's sacred hymns are included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal scripture of Sikhism, lending the temple deep scriptural legitimacy within the broader Sikh tradition. The temple's distinctive dual identity — displaying both Sikh (Ek Onkar, Khanda) and Ravidassia (Harr) symbols — reflects a community that honours its roots in Sikh scripture while affirming a distinct Ravidassia spiritual identity. For Derby's South Asian community, the temple serves as far more than a place of prayer. It is a sanctuary of cultural preservation, where Punjabi language, music, and traditions are transmitted to younger generations. The institution of langar — free communal meals served without discrimination to all who enter — embodies the Ravidassia principle of radical social equality, recalling Guru Ravidass Ji's own life as a member of a marginalised community who preached that spiritual worth is determined by devotion, not birth. The temple also serves as a pilgrimage point during Guru Ravidass Jayanti, the anniversary of Guru Ravidass Ji's birth, when thousands of devotees from across the Midlands and beyond gather for special prayers, kirtan programmes, and processions. It stands as a powerful symbol of diaspora resilience, community solidarity, and the enduring spiritual vision of one of India's greatest saints. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Ramgarhia Gurdwara Derby, United Kingdom 431 m away Ramgarhia Gurdwara is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Derby, United Kingdom. It is situated in the United Kingdom, which has one of the largest Sikh diaspora communities in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Ramgarhia Gurdwara 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 ### Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara Derby, United Kingdom 520 m away Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Derby, United Kingdom. It is situated in the United Kingdom, which has one of the largest Sikh diaspora communities in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Guru Arjan Dev Gurdwara 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 ### Ramgarhia Sabha Derby Derby, United Kingdom 566 m away Ramgarhia Sabha Derby is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Derby, United Kingdom. It is situated in the United Kingdom, which has one of the largest Sikh diaspora communities in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Ramgarhia Sabha Derby 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 ### Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Derby, United Kingdom 796 m away Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara is a community gurdwara that serves as a center for worship, congregation, and social services for the local Sikh community located in Derby, United Kingdom. It is situated in the United Kingdom, which has one of the largest Sikh diaspora communities in the world. As with all gurdwaras, Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara 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 story of the Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan Temple in Derby is inseparable from the broader narrative of South Asian immigration to Britain and the determination of the Ravidassia community to establish their spiritual identity on British soil. The Ravidassia community — whose faith is rooted in the teachings of Sant Guru Ravidass Ji — began migrating from the Punjab region of India to Britain from around 1950, settling in industrial cities where labour was in demand, including Derby, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Coventry. Derby's Normanton ward emerged as a significant centre of South Asian settlement from the late 1950s and 1960s onwards, as workers from Punjab and other parts of India arrived to work in Derby's textile mills, manufacturing industries, and Rolls-Royce aeroplane engine factories. As the community grew, the need for dedicated places of worship became pressing. Community members would initially gather in private homes for prayers and kirtan before pooling resources to establish permanent institutions. The Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha Derby is believed to have been established in the 1970s, with the gurdwara on Duncan Road, Normanton reportedly constituted around 1978, making it one of the earlier dedicated Ravidassia places of worship in the East Midlands. The founding of the temple reflected a broader movement across the United Kingdom: the Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan in Birmingham, established during the same era, is often cited as the first dedicated Ravidassia place of worship acquired outside India, with the entire UK Ravidassia community contributing to its purchase. In Derby, the temple on Duncan Road was registered with the Registrar General under the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855, initially listed under the congregation name 'Shri Guru Ravidas Bhawan' and recorded as 'Ravidassia Hindu' — reflecting the complex religious identity of a community that straddles Sikh and Ravidassia traditions. Over the decades, the temple underwent development and expansion to serve a growing congregation and to provide modern facilities for worship, langar, and community programmes. The broader Ravidassia population in Britain grew from an estimated 30,000 in the West Midlands alone by the 1980s to approximately 70,000 nationwide by 2021, and Derby's community has remained a vibrant and active part of this diaspora. The temple continues to be a living institution, carrying forward the social reform and devotional legacy of Guru Ravidass Ji for new generations born and raised in the United Kingdom. ## Structures in the Complex ### Main Darbar Sahib prayer_hall The central prayer hall of the temple where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is installed beneath a canopied throne (Manji Sahib). Devotees sit on the carpeted floor facing the scripture for daily kirtan, Ardas, and congregational worship. The hall is the spiritual heart of the temple. ### Langar Hall langar_hall A dedicated community kitchen and dining area where free vegetarian meals are prepared and served daily to all visitors without distinction of background or faith. The langar embodies the Ravidassia and Sikh principle of equality and selfless service (Seva). ### Entrance and Shoe Storage entrance The temple entrance features designated shoe storage facilities where all visitors must remove their footwear before entering the sacred space. Head coverings are available here for those who do not bring their own. The entrance title board displays both Sikh and Ravidassia symbols. ### Community and Administrative Rooms museum Supporting rooms used for Punjabi language classes, youth programmes, committee meetings, and community social services. These spaces extend the temple's role beyond worship to encompass education and cultural preservation for younger generations of the diaspora. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Head covering required at all times inside (scarves/patkas available at entrance); remove shoes before entering; modest, respectful clothing covering shoulders and knees recommended ### Photography Respectful photography may be permitted in common areas; avoid photographing the Darbar Sahib during prayers without permission; always ask before photographing ### Etiquette Bow before the Sri Guru Granth Sahib upon entering; sit on the floor with feet pointed away from the scripture; do not consume alcohol or tobacco on the premises; maintain silence and reverence in the Darbar Sahib; all are welcome regardless of faith or background ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) Serves the local congregation and all visitors; capacity varies; larger community meals on weekends and festival days Seating Capacity ## Architecture Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan Temple on Duncan Road, Normanton, Derby occupies a converted and adapted building typical of many British gurdwaras that were established in existing structures and progressively developed over decades. The exterior and interior have been modified over the years to accommodate the needs of a growing congregation and to reflect the religious and cultural identity of the Ravidassia community. The temple complex is believed to include a main Darbar Sahib (prayer hall) where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is installed and where daily kirtan and prayer services take place. The hall features traditional decorations including canopied seating for the Granth Sahib, and the congregation sits on the carpeted floor in keeping with gurdwara tradition, facing the holy scripture. A langar hall on the ground level provides space for the preparation and serving of communal vegetarian meals. The temple's entrance and title board prominently display both Sikh emblems (Ek Onkar and Khanda) and the Ravidassia 'Harr' symbol, distinguishing it visually from mainstream Sikh gurdwaras. Shoe storage facilities are provided at the entrance, and head coverings are available for visitors. The building is set in the dense residential fabric of Normanton, making it an integral part of the neighbourhood's streetscape and a visible landmark of the community's presence in Derby. ## Structures in the Complex ### Main Darbar Sahib prayer_hall The central prayer hall of the temple where the Sri Guru Granth Sahib is installed beneath a canopied throne (Manji Sahib). Devotees sit on the carpeted floor facing the scripture for daily kirtan, Ardas, and congregational worship. The hall is the spiritual heart of the temple. ### Langar Hall langar_hall A dedicated community kitchen and dining area where free vegetarian meals are prepared and served daily to all visitors without distinction of background or faith. The langar embodies the Ravidassia and Sikh principle of equality and selfless service (Seva). ### Entrance and Shoe Storage entrance The temple entrance features designated shoe storage facilities where all visitors must remove their footwear before entering the sacred space. Head coverings are available here for those who do not bring their own. The entrance title board displays both Sikh and Ravidassia symbols. ### Community and Administrative Rooms museum Supporting rooms used for Punjabi language classes, youth programmes, committee meetings, and community social services. These spaces extend the temple's role beyond worship to encompass education and cultural preservation for younger generations of the diaspora. ## Events & Celebrations ### gurpurab #### Guru Ravidass Jayanti The most important annual celebration, marking the birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidass Ji on the full moon of the Hindu month of Magh (January/February). The day features special Akhand Path (continuous reading of scripture), kirtan programmes, community processions (nagar kirtans), and extended langar. Devotees travel from across the East Midlands and beyond to participate. #### Guru Nanak Gurpurab The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, is observed with special prayers and kirtan. Guru Nanak is believed to have met Guru Ravidass Ji during his travels, linking the two traditions, and the occasion is marked with reverence by the Ravidassia community. ### festival #### Baisakhi Celebrated in mid-April, Baisakhi marks both the Punjabi New Year and the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa in 1699. The temple holds special prayers, kirtan, and a large community langar to mark the occasion, bringing together families from Derby and the surrounding region. #### Diwali The festival of lights is celebrated with special prayers, illuminations, and community gatherings. The occasion also marks Bandi Chhor Divas, commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from imprisonment, and holds special significance for the Sikh and Ravidassia communities. ### weekly #### Weekly Diwan (Sunday Service) A regular weekly congregational service held on Sundays, featuring Nitnem (daily prayers), Kirtan (devotional hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib), Ardas (communal prayer), and langar. This is the main weekly gathering of the community and is open to all visitors. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### visiting The temple is generally open daily from early morning (approximately 6:00 AM) to evening (approximately 8:00 PM). Tea and morning prayers begin early in the day, with langar (community meals) served from around 12:30 PM. Timings may vary on special occasions and festival days, so it is advisable to contact the temple directly for the current schedule. Yes, entry is completely free for all visitors, regardless of faith or background. This is in keeping with the universal Ravidassia and Sikh tradition that places of worship must be accessible to everyone. Free langar (vegetarian community meals) is also served daily to all who visit. Visitors must cover their head before entering — scarves or patkas are usually available at the entrance. Shoes must be removed at the entrance. Modest clothing covering the shoulders and knees is expected. Avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless clothing out of respect. ### history The temple on Duncan Road, Normanton, Derby is believed to have been established in the 1970s, serving the Ravidassia community that arrived in Derby from the Punjab region of India from the 1950s onwards. It is registered under the Places of Worship Registration Act 1855 and has served as a centre for Ravidassia worship and community life in Derby for several decades. Sant Guru Ravidass Ji (c. 1377–1540 CE) was a revered mystic poet-saint from near Varanasi, India, and a central figure of the North Indian Bhakti devotional movement. Born into a marginalised community, he preached spiritual equality, devotion to a formless God, and rejection of caste discrimination. Forty of his hymns are included in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of Sikhism. Ravidassia temples worldwide are dedicated to preserving and living by his teachings. ### transport The temple is located on Duncan Road, Normanton, Derby (DE23 8TS). By public transport, take a bus from Derby city centre or Derby Railway Station on routes 4, 4A, 6, or 7 towards Normanton. By car, head south from Derby city centre along the A514 (Normanton Road); Duncan Road is a short distance from the main road. East Midlands Airport is approximately 22 km away. ### events The most significant celebration is Guru Ravidass Jayanti (held on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Magh, usually in January or February), marking the birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidass Ji. Other festivals include Baisakhi (April), Diwali, and Gurpurabs (anniversaries associated with the Sikh Gurus). These occasions feature extended kirtan, processions, and community langar. Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) Shri Guru Ravidass Bhawan Temple Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit