Tuesday Talks #4 - Langar

Tuesday Talks #4

Langar: The Free Community Meal / Free Community Kitchen

"What if every religious place of worship in the world starts the practice of langar, no person in this world would sleep hungry and empty stomach." 

When I was a kid, I didn't know what langar was, why it was there. I only knew that on every occasion, every person, whether a beggar or a businessman, a Hindu or a Sikh, a woman or a man would sit together on the floor and have it.

In Sikhism, the practice of the langar, or free kitchen, is believed to have been started by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It was designed to uphold the principle of equality among all people, regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status. The second Guru of Sikhs, Guru Angad Dev Ji, is remembered in Sikh tradition for systematizing the institution of langar in all Sikh temple premises, where visitors from near and far could get a free simple meal in a simple and equal seating. He also set rules and training method for volunteers (sewadars) who operated the kitchen, placing emphasis on treating it as a place of rest and refuge, and being always polite and hospitable to all visitors.

It was the third Guru, Amar Das, who established langar as a prominent institution and required people to dine together irrespective of their caste and class. He encouraged the practice of langar and made all those who visited him attend langar before they could speak to him.

(Source: Wikipedia)

I have heard many successful people say that during their struggling days they lived on langar. They got a lot of support form the nearby gurudwaras. Even during these pandemic times, Sikhs are out to help the world. I am not emphasizing the Sikhs' greatness or boasting of anything, I am simply trying to communicate my feelings in this "Real Tuesday Talks" on how you can help others only by praying. Your messages, your prayers reach that needy person. Whether it is a Nagar Kirtan, a Kirtan Darbar, a crisis time or disasters like earthquakes or floods, Sikhs are always there to help and feed the helpless and needy anywhere around the globe.

"Khalsa Aid" Organisation

Even the great emperor Akbar and the King of Haripur sat to eat langar with the common men (at the time of Guru Amar Das Ji). He was asked not to go back without eating the langar. Such great is the power of langar. It can erase all the differences between everyone, all become equal, you don't have the fear of falling down because you are already on the floor, how deeper can you fall, nobody is higher or lower because everyone sits at an equal height on the floor.

Now those who do sewa in the langar should always do it selflessly and they really do. All are same for them. They don't discriminate. Discrimination is prohibited. Anyone can volunteer to do sewa, even a non-Sikh, all are welcome. Langar is a vegetarian meal which everyone can eat. Langars are held all over the world most of which attract homeless people.

I was always told that before volunteering for any task in the gurudwara, you need to wash your hands properly and cover your head. Now I understood why we are asked to wash our hands properly. So you see, you find everything, every value in a single act and I realised that nothing is done in any religion without any scientific reason. I am very soon gonna publish that blog post as well.

I am really lucky to have witnessed this. Sikhs organise langars all over the world. Every Gurdwara has a Langar attached to it where food is served to anyone without charge. The term Langar is also used for the communal meal served at the Gurdwaras. The food served in the Langar must be simple, so as to prevent wealthy congregations from turning it into a feast that shows off their superiority.

(Source: bbc.co.uk)

Few questions related to langar :

Can a Muslim eat langar?

Yes, why not. Everyone is free to eat langar. That is what it is meant for- free food for everyone. Not only Muslims but every person from any place of the world, any religion any gender, any caste, any creed will be served without any discrimination.

What food is served in the langar?

Any vegetarian meal can be served. Most commonly it is a prasada (roti, chappati), dal (pulses), a sabji (vegatable dish), a dessert like kheer or karha and the sweetest is the love, respect and true devotion of the volunteers.

Can anyone volunteer or donate to a gurudwara for langar?

Yes, everyone is free to do so. Nobody is ever judged on the amount of sewa done or donation amount given. It is your wish and will.

The idea of Langar was a revolutionary one. In their prayers, the Sikhs seek from the Almighty the favour:

  “Loh langar tapde rahin."

  “May the iron pots of Langar be ever warm (in service).”

For more interesting information related to Langar, please visit this website : https://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Langar

Even I got to know more about the practice of langar while writing this blog, I hope you also gained more knowledge. Do share with me any points I missed and don't hesitate to ask any questions or doubts you have in your mind.

I am not directly helping anyone with this blog post but I am sure the person reading this will surely think and ponder about the text here and will pray for the well being of the world.

-SARGUN SAINI