Whenever I accompany my parents to pick/drop off my sister to work, I’ve noticed elderly Sikhs walking outside the temple. It could be that they are either returning from the temple or going to the temple.
Evertime we drive by the temple, we see people around it. Do Sikhs have prayers/religious services as special times or do they go in anytime that suits them, pray and come back?
Also, is there a special day where they go and offer prayer/religious services at particular time like Muslims do every Friday afternoon for Jummah prayers?
I’m only asking for the sake of general knowledge and my intention is not to offend anyone.
Naam japna (reciting God's name meaning the hymns, gurbani) is what sikhism believes in and there is no specific time for it...it can be done any time of the day or night but usually Sikhs recite these hymns few times a day on regular basis.
Early Morning: Jap ji, Sukhmani and Asa Di Vaar are sung
Evening: Rehraas, Chaupai and some other hymns
Just Before going to sleep: Sohila (praise of god)
Ardaas(prayer/request) is recited after each of above.
Usually people who don't follow the above schedule they can recite one or more of these or other hymns anytime of the day they want.
There is no ruling or tradiiton that Sikhs have to perform every pray/recital in the Gurdwara or in a group. It can be done alone.
Some elder people who don't work 9-5 usually go to Gurdwaras in the late morning or evenings to perform these prayers or socialize with other people.