IT was a double celebration for Huddersfield’s Sikh community over the weekend.

Not only was it the birthday of the religion’s founder but Fartown Sikh Temple, Hillhouse Lane, opened its new community annexe.

The extension – which cost almost £300,000 – includes a dining hall, kitchen, community hall, classrooms and a sports room.

The official opening yesterday was attended by Kirklees and Calderdale councillors, senior police officers and members of the Indian High Commission.

The rest of the building, which was built in 1997 for £600,000, received a revamp.

Money for the annexe and refurbishment was raised by Huddersfield’s Sikh community with particular help from the temple’s female congregation.

Temple president Balwant Singh Bassi said: “It looks pretty good. We’ve double the space now.

“We have more space for our community projects and more room for services and for our children.

“It’s the start of a new era.

“It’s a double celebration for us because it’s also Guru Nanak’s birthday today.”

Clr Mohan Sokhal, who is Kirklees Council’s longest-serving councillor, has been a member of Huddersfield’s Sikh community since he moved from Punjab in 1966.

He said: “It’s a big day for the Sikh community of Huddersfield, both in celebrating Guru Nanak’s birthday and the temple extension.”

Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji who was born in Nankana Sahib, Punjab (now part of Pakistan), in November, 1469.

The word ‘Sikh’ derives from the Sanskrit ‘siksa’, meaning ‘instruction’. There are approximately 26 million Sikhs, about 75% of whom live in the Indian state of Punjab.

Sikhs obey the teachings of the 10 Gurus, which includes the sacred text, the Guru Granth Sahib.

They believe in one god and seek salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God.

The ‘Five Ks’ form an important part of Sikhism. They are ‘Kesh’ (uncut hair), ‘Kanga’ (comb), Kara (bracelet), Kachera (a style of cotton underwear) and Kirpan (sword).

Sikhs believe hair is a gift from God and should not be cut. It is combed using the kanga and kept neatly in a turban.

Kara and Kachera are to remind Sikhs of their faith.

Kirpan, a strapped curved sword, reminds Sikhs of their duty to protect the innocent. A Sikh in the UK may carry a kirpan as long as it does not become an offensive weapon.