Address: 3550 Hillcrest Rd, El Sobrante, CA 94803, United States
Phone: +1 510-223-1102
The Sikh Center of San Francisco Bay Area (also known as Gurdwara Sahib of El Sobrante) is a Sikh gurdwara in the hills of unincorporated El Sobrante, California, in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Overview
The Center was established in May 1979.
The Center features large golden domes atop a pink-cream-beige tiled box arched structure. Regular services are held every Wednesday and Sunday. The site is open to drop in visitors from 5AM to 9PM. Langar, collective eating while sitting on floor, is given every day, free of cost, to all visitors, Sikh or non-Sikh. Visitors must cover their hair, be sober and have no drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products in their possession, and must enter barefoot after washing their feet.
Shooting incident
On January 23, 2000 a gunman, Joga Singh Sandher, opened fire with an assault weapon onto temple leader, local teacher, and human rights activist Ajmer Singh Malhi, killing him and seriously injuring another worshipper before being subdued by bystanders.
El Sobrante Gurdwara control has become the trophy for different groups who are not willing to accept each other’s and respect the true guru and continue to fight to gain and keep control of Guru Ghar.
We have decided to halt the reporting of weekly gurdwara circus show from here onward after realizing that individuals who are running such shows on both sides do not want to reach an agreement on the governance of the gurdwara. Sangat and youth are suffering from this madness. It’s sad to see how gurdwara committee members and opposing groups have mobilized their family members in this senseless war while ignoring what their true duties and services are to the local Sikh Sangat.
We apologize if your feelings were hurt watching the videos and posts; however, such posts and videos serve as examples to outline the issues on hand.
About twenty five miles north of San Francisco, El Sobrante Gurdwara Shaib is located at the hilltop of the El Sobrante Valley hills. It is serving the Sikh community in the Bay Area and given the name Sikh Center of San Francisco Bay Area. Gurdwara came into existence in late 1970s. Previously local Sikhs usually carried out the religious ceremonies in their homes; however, as more and more Sikhs immigrated to the Bay Area, Sikh community decided that a Sikh Temple was necessary to serve local Sikhs in terms of carrying out general ceremonies such as weddings and Akhand Path ceremonies, etc.
Situated at the hilltop, its architecture and uniqueness attracts many people to come and see the site. At the northeast wing of Second floor, a huge deck offers a breath taking view of the El Sobrante valley and San Pablo Bay.
