# Sikh Mission Centre - History, Timings & Visitor Guide | GurdwaraSahib.in > Sikh Mission Centre, Austral NSW — est. 1988, opened 2010. Free langar, weekly keertan & community services in south-western Sydney. Plan your visit today. ![Sikh Mission Centre](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/thumb.php?f=Sikh%20Mission%20Centre%2C%20Austral%2001.jpg&w=1200) Historical regional # Sikh Mission Centre Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: 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. ## Significance The Sikh Mission Centre holds profound religious and cultural significance for the Sikh community of south-western Sydney and beyond. At its spiritual core is the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal living Guru of the Sikhs, enshrined with full reverence in the Darbar Sahib. Daily recitation of Nitnem (daily prayers), Asa di Var (morning hymns), and Rehras Sahib (evening prayers) ensures that the gurdwara remains a continuously active centre of Sikh devotion and contemplation. As one of the key gurdwaras in the greater Sydney region, the Sikh Mission Centre plays a vital role in preserving Punjabi cultural heritage and Sikh identity for second and third-generation Australian Sikhs. It offers a space where Sikh children and youth can learn the Gurmukhi script, deepen their understanding of Gurbani, and participate in keertan, ensuring the transmission of spiritual and cultural knowledge across generations raised far from Punjab. The gurdwara also embodies the universal Sikh principles of equality and service. The langar (free community kitchen) serves people of all faiths and backgrounds, reinforcing Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teaching that all of humanity is one family. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the gurdwara extended its services to the wider multicultural community of south-western Sydney, demonstrating that its mission transcends sectarian boundaries. As a registered charitable institution, the Sikh Mission Centre Sydney Inc. also contributes to Australian civic life, engaging with government bodies, multicultural organisations, and interfaith groups. Its receipt of an official NSW Government grant and the OAM awarded to founding pioneer Bawa Singh Jagdev underscore the institution's recognised standing in Australian society and its role as a bridge between the Sikh community and the broader nation. ## Nearby Gurdwaras ### Sikh Temple Sydney, Australia 43 m 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 11 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 ### Revesby Gurdwara Australia 20 km away Open daily; Morning programs from 7:00–7... 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. Historical ### Sikh Temple Sydney, Australia 21 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 story of the Sikh Mission Centre is inseparable from the broader history of Sikh migration to Australia. The first Sikhs arrived in Australia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily as agricultural labourers in Queensland and northern New South Wales. A more sustained wave followed in the mid-20th century, with many settling around Woolgoolga and Coffs Harbour in northern NSW, where Australia's first Sikh temple was officially opened at Woolgoolga in June 1968—a landmark in Australian religious history. Sydney's Sikh community began coalescing in earnest from the 1970s. Bawa Singh Jagdev, who arrived in Sydney in 1975, was among the earliest pioneers who helped establish the first gurdwara in the suburb of Revesby in Sydney's south, laying the groundwork for organised Sikh worship in the metropolitan area. Building on this foundation, a group of dedicated community members formally established the Sikh Mission Centre as an organisation in 1988. The name 'Mission Centre' reflected the founders' aspiration not only to serve the spiritual needs of Sikhs but to actively engage with and serve the broader Australian community, embodying the Sikh missionary spirit of outreach and service. As Sydney's south-western suburbs expanded rapidly through the 1990s and 2000s—fuelled by major residential development across what would become the Liverpool and Camden local government areas—so too did the local Sikh population. The organisation secured land at 170 Ninth Avenue in Austral, and after years of community fundraising and planning, the Austral Gurdwara was formally opened in 2010. This purpose-built facility provided a dedicated space for worship, community gatherings, and langar for the first time. Through the 2010s, the gurdwara grew steadily, regularly hosting hundreds of worshippers each weekend and playing a central role in celebrating major Sikh festivals. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2022 tested the community greatly; however, the gurdwara adapted its operations and continued to serve its congregation within public health guidelines. In December 2021, the NSW Government's AUD $20,000 pandemic engagement grant formally recognised the centre's pivotal role in community health outreach across south-western Sydney. Secretary Bawa Singh Jagdev emphasised the critical importance of producing resources in Punjabi to ensure no vulnerable community member was left uninformed. Today, the Sikh Mission Centre continues to grow alongside Austral and its surrounding communities, embodying the three pillars of Sikh living: Nam Japo (meditate on God's name), Kirat Karo (earn an honest living), and Vand Chhako (share with others). ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) prayer_hall The central and most sacred space of the gurdwara, where the Guru Granth Sahib is enshrined beneath an ornate decorated palki (canopy). Worshippers sit on carpeted floor coverings at the same level, reflecting the Sikh principle of equality. The hall hosts all daily and weekly congregational services, keertan, and religious ceremonies. ### Langar Hall (Community Kitchen and Dining Area) langar_hall Adjacent to the main Darbar Sahib, the langar hall is where free vegetarian meals are prepared and served to all visitors without discrimination of faith, caste, or background. Operated entirely by volunteer sewadars, this space embodies one of Sikhism's most important social teachings. On major festival days it serves hundreds to thousands of people. ### Entrance and Shoe Storage Area entrance The gurdwara entrance includes a designated shoe storage area where all visitors remove their footwear before entering the sacred spaces. Head coverings are available near the entrance for visitors who have not brought their own. Hand-washing facilities are also provided nearby, in keeping with the tradition of ritual cleanliness before entering the prayer hall. ### Nishan Sahib (Sikh Flagpole) tower The tall flagpole bearing the triangular saffron Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag) with the Khanda emblem stands prominently at the gurdwara, visible from surrounding streets. This is a universal marker of a Sikh gurdwara and serves as a spiritual and visual beacon for the community, signalling that a place of worship, sanctuary, and free food is available to all. ### Community and Administrative Areas museum The gurdwara complex includes dedicated administrative offices used by the Sikh Mission Centre Sydney Inc. for managing the charity's operations, community outreach programmes, and coordination of volunteers. Meeting spaces within the complex are also used for language classes, youth programmes, and interfaith engagement activities. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Head covering is mandatory (scarves/bandanas available at entrance); remove shoes before entering the prayer hall; modest and respectful clothing required ### Photography Respectful photography may be permitted in community areas; always seek permission before photographing inside the Darbar Sahib ### Etiquette Cover your head before entering; remove footwear at the shoe rack; do not bring tobacco, alcohol, or meat onto the premises; bow before the Guru Granth Sahib upon entering the Darbar Sahib; sit cross-legged or respectfully on the floor; accept Karah Parshad with both hands ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) Believed to serve several hundred people on regular weekends; capacity increases significantly during major festivals and Gurpurabs Seating Capacity ## Architecture The Sikh Mission Centre in Austral is a purpose-built gurdwara complex situated on a generous suburban plot at 170 Ninth Avenue, designed to meet both the religious and communal needs of Sydney's south-western Sikh community. While the complex does not feature the monumental white marble domes of historically prominent Indian gurdwaras, it is a functional and dignified contemporary structure that incorporates traditional Sikh architectural elements adapted thoughtfully for the Australian suburban context. The complex centres on the Darbar Sahib (main prayer hall), where the Guru Granth Sahib is enshrined beneath a richly decorated palki (canopy). Worshippers sit on floor coverings in the traditional manner, with all devotees positioned at the same level as an expression of Sikh egalitarianism. A dedicated langar hall (community kitchen and dining area) is housed adjacent to the main prayer hall, capable of serving the large numbers who attend on weekends and during festivals. The complex includes dedicated areas for shoe storage, hand-washing facilities, and Karah Parshad (sacred offering) distribution. The Nishan Sahib—the triangular saffron Sikh flag atop a tall flagpole—is prominently displayed at the entrance, identifying the site as a gurdwara from a considerable distance and serving as a beacon for the local community. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib (Main Prayer Hall) prayer_hall The central and most sacred space of the gurdwara, where the Guru Granth Sahib is enshrined beneath an ornate decorated palki (canopy). Worshippers sit on carpeted floor coverings at the same level, reflecting the Sikh principle of equality. The hall hosts all daily and weekly congregational services, keertan, and religious ceremonies. ### Langar Hall (Community Kitchen and Dining Area) langar_hall Adjacent to the main Darbar Sahib, the langar hall is where free vegetarian meals are prepared and served to all visitors without discrimination of faith, caste, or background. Operated entirely by volunteer sewadars, this space embodies one of Sikhism's most important social teachings. On major festival days it serves hundreds to thousands of people. ### Entrance and Shoe Storage Area entrance The gurdwara entrance includes a designated shoe storage area where all visitors remove their footwear before entering the sacred spaces. Head coverings are available near the entrance for visitors who have not brought their own. Hand-washing facilities are also provided nearby, in keeping with the tradition of ritual cleanliness before entering the prayer hall. ### Nishan Sahib (Sikh Flagpole) tower The tall flagpole bearing the triangular saffron Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag) with the Khanda emblem stands prominently at the gurdwara, visible from surrounding streets. This is a universal marker of a Sikh gurdwara and serves as a spiritual and visual beacon for the community, signalling that a place of worship, sanctuary, and free food is available to all. ### Community and Administrative Areas museum The gurdwara complex includes dedicated administrative offices used by the Sikh Mission Centre Sydney Inc. for managing the charity's operations, community outreach programmes, and coordination of volunteers. Meeting spaces within the complex are also used for language classes, youth programmes, and interfaith engagement activities. ## Events & Celebrations ### gurpurab #### Guru Nanak Gurpurab The most significant annual celebration at the gurdwara, marking the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. The event features 48-hour Akhand Path (continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), extended keertan, nagar kirtan (procession), and langar served to thousands of devotees. Celebrated in November on the full moon day of the Kartik month. #### Gurpurabs of the Ten Sikh Gurus The gurdwara observes the birth and martyrdom anniversaries of the ten Sikh Gurus throughout the year, including the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (June) and Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji (November/December), and the birth anniversaries of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and other Gurus. Each occasion is marked with Akhand or Sehaj Path, special keertan programmes, and langar. ### festival #### Baisakhi Celebrated in mid-April, Baisakhi marks both the Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699. At the Sikh Mission Centre, the occasion features special ardas, keertan, amrit sanchar (initiation ceremony for those joining the Khalsa), and a large community langar bringing together hundreds of families from across south-western Sydney. #### Hola Mohalla Held the day after Holi (in March), Hola Mohalla was established by Guru Gobind Singh Ji as a day of martial training and spiritual reflection. The gurdwara observes this occasion with special keertan, kirtan darbar, and community gathering, celebrating Sikh valor and community spirit. ### weekly #### Weekly Diwan (Congregational Service) Every weekend, the Sikh Mission Centre holds a full congregational service (Diwan) featuring Asa di Var (morning hymns), keertan by the ragi jatha (musicians), Katha (scriptural exposition), Ardas, and distribution of Karah Parshad. Langar follows the service, open to all visitors. This is the heartbeat of the gurdwara's regular spiritual life. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### visiting The Sikh Mission Centre in Austral is open daily for worship. Main congregational services (Diwan) are held on weekends, typically in the morning and afternoon. Langar (free community meals) is served after weekend services. For exact daily timings, visitors are advised to contact the gurdwara directly at (02) 9606 0270 or visit sikhmissioncentre.org. Yes. Langar — the free community kitchen — is a central feature of the Sikh Mission Centre. Vegetarian meals are served to all visitors regardless of faith, background, or status, after weekend congregational services. During major festivals such as Guru Nanak Gurpurab and Baisakhi, langar is served to significantly larger numbers of visitors throughout the day. All visitors must cover their head before entering the Darbar Sahib (main prayer hall); scarves or bandanas are usually available at the entrance. Shoes must be removed at the designated shoe racks. Modest and respectful clothing is appropriate. No tobacco, alcohol, or non-vegetarian food may be brought onto the premises. Absolutely. Gurdwaras are open to people of all faiths, backgrounds, and nationalities. Non-Sikh visitors are warmly welcomed to attend services, learn about Sikh teachings, and partake in langar. The only requirements are to cover one's head, remove footwear, and observe respectful conduct within the premises. ### history The Sikh Mission Centre was established as an organisation in 1988 by early Sikh pioneers in Sydney, including Bawa Singh Jagdev, who had helped found Sydney's first gurdwara in Revesby in the 1970s. The purpose-built Austral Gurdwara was opened in 2010 at 170 Ninth Avenue, Austral, NSW, to serve the rapidly growing Sikh community in south-western Sydney. ### transport By train, take the South West Rail Link to Leppington Station (approximately 2 km from the gurdwara) and then use a taxi or rideshare to reach 170 Ninth Avenue, Austral. By car from Sydney CBD, take the M5 South West Motorway and continue south-west toward Liverpool and Austral (approximately 45–55 km, 40–50 minutes). Free parking is available on-site. ### general The gurdwara is managed by the Sikh Mission Centre Sydney Inc., a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). The organisation is run entirely by dedicated volunteers (sewadars) from the Sikh community. ### events The gurdwara celebrates all major Sikh festivals including Guru Nanak Gurpurab (birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in November), Baisakhi (the Sikh New Year and founding of the Khalsa, in April), Hola Mohalla (in March), and the Gurpurabs of other Sikh Gurus. These occasions feature extended keertan, lectures, and langar serving large numbers of devotees. Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) Sikh Mission Centre Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit