LANGAR ( Guru Ka Langar)
Langar is the free community kitchen that serves fresh hot and vegetarian meals to all the sangat ( visitors) completely free of cost regardless of caste, religion, gender, status & nationality. it is the free service to all comes to take blessings.
Everyone is allowed to sit in PANGAT regardless of their age, gender caste religion side by side in long rows directly on the floor.Everyone sits at exactly the same level balancing the differences between rich and poor or high & low castes as there is no Vip treament given to anyone.
The Evolution
Guru Nanak Dev Ji originated the concept around 1500 CE. When their father gave them 20 rupees and asked them to do profitable business. Guru Nanak Dev ji used that money to feed the hungry holy saints and call it as SACHA SAUDA. They started this concept and reject the rigid caste system and bring all classes together and break caste barriers.
Expansion
ER4Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second guru established rules , training and organisation of community kitchens. Their wife Mata Khivi Ji take care of all the daily operations of the langar. Their selfless sewa and service is mentioned in Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji in distributing wholesome food- including kheer to everyone equally.
Guru Angad Dev Ji started organizing and expanding the community kitchen in Khadoor Sahib,
FORMALIZE
Guru Amar Das Ji, the third guru started organising it with strict rule. “PEHLE PANGAT, PICHHE SANGAT”. Means first sit in the line to eat with all in a row then meet the Guru to take Blessings. This rule breaks all the barriers and caste differences between the ups and downs that was practiced in that time that even the Mughal emperor Akbar was required to sit on the floor with common people in order to meet the Guru.
Rules of community kitchen ( Langar)
Meals should be strictly vegetarian (dals, chapattis, vegetable curries, rice kheer)
Everyone should sit in the same parallel line in a row, no vip sections, no status based sittings.
The community kitchens will be run exclusively by volunteers ( sewadars) from handling raw food to cooking, preparation, serving and washing dishes & cleaning the floors.
Before a meal preapared is served between sangat, first it is placed before Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Ardaas is recited and then kirpan is gently passed through the food to symbolize Guru ji’s acceptance.
Langar is recognized globally as largest humanitarian food network.The community kitchen in Amritsar HARMANDIR SAHIB ( GOLDEN TEMPLE) feed around100000 sangat daily.
Beyond the walls of gurdwaras, sikhs mobilizes the Langar as Critical emaergency relief mechanism during disasters, floods conflicts, crises etc. Organizations like Khalsa Aid and many local gurdwaras established field kitchens to distribute among the needy.