Manila, Philippines

Sindhi Hindus in Manila created a gurdwara/mandir, installing both the Guru Granth Sahib and various murtis.  They paid a granthi to take care of the ritual respect for the Guru Granth Sahib, as that was the primary focus in the Sindhi institution.  Later, they arranged for a brahmin to serve the murtis as well.  However, over time tensions arose as the granthi became offended when non-Sindhis visited the institution without covering their heads out of respect for the Guru Granth Sahib.  Despite the foundational role of the Sindhi Hindu community, non-Sindhis began to dominate the center, making the murtis focal in most rituals.  Sindhi HIndus, however, reportedly continued to venerate the Guru Granth Sahib when they visited the institution.  (Source – Anita Raina Thapan.  Sindhi Diaspora in Manila, Hong Kong, and Jakarta.  Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2002.)

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