Caring for the Guru
The Library is committed to making the Guru accessible and to ensuring a respectful standard of care in collaboration with the local Sikh community. Caring for the Guru promotes long-term preservation, allowing the holy words to be worshipped for many years to come.
The Sikh community in Manchester play a key role in caring for the Guru, through consultation and various donations. This began as early as 2003, with the donation of protective and decorative cloths. Sri Guru Granth Sahibs within communities have not always been professionally conserved. It is also known that older Granths have been ceremoniously cremated if the condition is too deteriorated or there are errors found within the text. This makes this Guru Granth Sahib a special exception.
After several years of planning in conversation with the community, a project was launched from March to August 2021 for conservators to care for the Sri Guru Granth Sahib in a dedicated space at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library. This work included repairing damage to the angs (limbs), stabilising its condition and reducing the rate of deterioration.
The project was led by Collection Care Team Leader Laura Snow with the support of Senior Conservator Mark Furness, and Sikh conservator Jasdip Singh from Pothi Seva. Input from Sikh experts and community members informed the methods and the materials used, ensuring conservators adhered to respectful practices in the presence of the Guru.
A Rumalla Sahib is a decorative piece of silk used to cover the Guru when at rest. Following the completion of the project in 2022, this Rumalla Sahib was donated to the Rylands by the Council of Five Manchester Gurdwaras.
The Sikh community honours the Guru through offerings, which are regarded as acts of worship and devotion, forming part of seva (selfless service), a central tenet of Sikhism.
A Palki Sahib is a throne-like structure for the Guru to rest upon when community members come to pay their respects.
This Palki Sahib was donated by the family of Pritam Singh Rasila in September 2022. Pritam Singh Rasila was an early Sikh migrant to Manchester from the Punjab and a prominent figure within the community, serving for decades on the committee of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara Manchester.
The Guru is treated with respect and properly laid to rest on the highest shelf, as a sign of respect. A grey Chandoa Sahib (royal canopy) hangs above the Guru as an expression of devotion and humility. This Chandoa Sahib was sewn by the family of Hardev Heera Singh.
The same standard of care is applied to other sacred Sikh texts at the Rylands, aligning with community practice in Gurdwaras. The area is secure and climate-controlled, protecting the physical safety and condition of these significant manuscripts.
When in the presence of the Guru, head coverings are worn, and shoes removed, as a sign of respect.