Akali Singh Sikh Temple

The place is quite interesting. This is my first time at a Sikh Temple and have to say the place is huge. Inside upstairs is carpeted and is very clean.
My friend held her wedding here. Have to say its a good choice.

Not only free food you get, you also get free yoga!
My buddy called me up. Hey you want to go to Kundalini Yoga at Sikh Temple? Since I haven’t done Yoga for a week, I really needed a good dosage of yoga class. I was ready for the challenge.
Whenever I drive by Highway #1, I always see this Sikh temple. I always wondering what’s inside? Would anybody allow to go in?
After 20 years of wondering, I finally got to see inside!
Every Tuesday and Thursday night from 7 – 8 PM is their free yoga. I have attended about 15 times and their yoga class are really awesome. It was so good, I actually donated some money couple times to help the temple too.
Their style of yoga use quite a bit of chanting which can quiet the mind and create an excellent synergy in that space. They also use many styles of mediation, mudras and breathing. And good amount of yin poses for calming the mind. It makes the whole Yoga experience really awesome and user friendly. This type of yoga is very friendly for elderly.
After the yoga finish, you can also come down stair to have a really delicious vegetarian curry!
The total value of your one and half hour time worth about $ 20. And you can totally get it for free!
If you are happy, why not make a donation! They are really doing good for the community!
I love Sikh Temple.
One rule: You need to cover your hair the whole time in their temple.
Why such a rule? You might ask.
I found the perfect answer here:
«The turban is our Guru’s gift to us. It is how we crown ourselves as the Singhs and Kaurs who sit on the throne of commitment to our own higher consciousness. For men and women alike, this projective identity conveys royalty, grace, and uniqueness. It is a signal to others that we live in the image of Infinity and are dedicated to serving all. The turban doesn’t represent anything except complete commitment. When you choose to stand out by tying your turban, you stand fearlessly as one single person standing out from six billion people. It is a most outstanding act.»

The Temple is awesome for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the food is free and delicious, so that’s a good start. Dishes served usually include a lentil dahl, a pea and paneer dish, a couple of pieces of chapati, a small dessert, and sometimes curried vegetables or some rice. Also, you eat at big long tables so you usually meet a couple of cool folks while you eat. If you have enough time to come early to help set up tables and chairs, it is appreciated.
So a couple of rules about the temple:
1. Meals are served Monday through Thursday at 7pm sharp. Don’t be late, or you might just get some leftover curry liquids, or nothing at all.
2. Wash your hands before and after the meal.
3. Finish everything on your plate. I mean everything.
4. Hold your tray in the right direction while being served. Just do what the person in front of you is doing and you should be fine.
5. Dress conservatively. Ladies, this means you. Do not expose your legs or shoulders, let alone your cleavage.
6. Don’t piss off the White Sikh. Now I cannot stress this rule enough. If you do not follow all of the rules above, you will be berated and possibly publicly humiliated by the White Sikh. Also, if you do not hold your plate close enough while he serves you, he will literally toss food at you.
This may seem like a lot of rules, but after your first meal here, you will be a pro. Remember, this is a place of worship, so in all seriousness, be respectful. Did I mention it’s free?

The Sikh Temple is a place for those in need to eat a free meal, but has become a hipster haven. When I’m broke as fuck I go here for a delicious meal and am very grateful for this wonderful service they provide from Monday to Thursday. This is food that I’d gladly pay for, so sometimes when I’m flat broke it’s a great silver lining!
Please make sure to help set-​up tables and chairs, wash your hands before you go get your food, take a seat rather than standing around, and help put the chairs/​tables back.
This may sound like a stressful experience, but keep in mind this is a religious temple and they are providing a really great free service for people who need it. Please don’t go and be an inconsiderate ass, or just to get hipster cred. A lot of people who really *are* in need should benefit from this place.

I have been to Temple only once (so far). Many of my friends go often and insist its great. They offer a free meal to those in need or those who can appreciate the sort of community love and humanity that they provide in doing so. Being a hard-​working, but often ‘broke’ individual I ventured over to see what it was about.
The Temple itself is externally gorgeous. In fact so cool, my friend and I went for a stroll around before the dinner service (7pm, every weekday). Apparently we ventured a little too far around and were shouted at by a member of the Temple for «nosing around». My bad. This made for an awkward point when time came to get fed haha.
There are rules.
— Wash your hands immediately upon entry.
— Talk as little as possible. You are there to eat.
— Finish all of your food. Seconds are ok, but finish those completely as well.
All said and done. I enjoyed myself and will make more treks out.
The food was honest and simple. I dig that.