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Langar (Punjabi: ਲੰਗਰ) is the term used in the Sikh religion for the free, vegetarian-only food served in a Gurudwara. At the Langar, only vegetarian food is served to ensure that all people, regardless of their dietary restrictions, can eat as equals. Langar is open to Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike. The exception to vegetarian langar is when Nihangs (in India) serve meat[1] on the occasion of Holla Mohalla, and call it Mahaprashad. There are also variation on the Vegetarian Langar, for example at Hazur Sahib[2][3]. Langar is also a common term used across various units in the Indian Army, when referring to a mess[citation needed], especially when there is no building and the food is served in open air (or through temporary arrangements like tents). [hide]
* 1 History * 2 Etiquette * 3 Open-air Langars * 4 Langar poem * 5 Notes and References The Sikh Langar or free kitchen was started by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak. It is designed to uphold the principle of equality between all people of the world regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status. In addition to the ideals of equality, the tradition of Langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all humankind. "..the Light of God is in all hearts."[4] The institution of Guru ka Langar has served the community in many ways. It has ensured the participation of Sikhs in a task of service for mankind, even Sikh children help in serving food to the people (Pangat). Langar also teaches the etiquette of sitting and eating in a community situation, which has played a great part in upholding the virtue of equality of all human beings and provides a welcome, secure and protected sanctuary. People from all classes of society are welcome at the Gurudwara. Food is normally served twice a day, on every day of the year. Recent reports say some of the largest Sikh community dining halls in Delhi prepare between 50,000 and 70,000 meals per day.[5] Each week one or more families volunteer to provide and prepare the Langar. This is very generous, as there may be several hundred people to feed, and caterers are not allowed. All the preparation, the cooking and the washing-up is also done by voluntary helpers, known as Sewadars. Besides the Langars attachment to gurdwaras, there are improvised open-air Langars during festivals and gurpurbs. These langars are among the best attended community meals anywhere in the world; upwards of 100,000 people may attend a given meal during these langars. Wherever Sikhs are, they have established their Langars. In their prayers, the Sikhs seek from the Almighty the favour: "Loh langar tapde rahin-may the hot plates of the langars remain ever in service." Langar
by Kulwant Singh Budwal In this life
fuelled by fleshly pleasures
in the pursuit of
materialistic comfort
I sit on the floor and eat
humbly, with rows of my people
for today I am in my Guru's house # ^www.singhsabha.com/holla_mohalla.htm # ^http://www.worldsikhnews.com/21%20January%202009/Goat%20Sacrifice%20at%20Hazur%20Sahib%20%20Myth%20&%20Truth.htm The Myth of goat Sacrifice and Hazur Sahib # ^http://uk.YouTube.com/watch?v=8G8gUr9fIKc Jhatka at Hazur Sahib Sikh Gurudwara # ^ Guru Granth Sahib pg. 282 # ^Vera, Barry. "Old Delhi". Feast: India. 2005. No. 3, season 1.
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What Does The Word Langer Mean?
Langar is where you eat food in the Gurdwara. A Gurdwara is the temple of Sikh's. You eat Langar in the kitchen in the Gurdwara.
Find 1 thing that a Sikh might do for seva?
For seva, a Sikh could help out in their local Gurdwaraby washing up dishes in langar or cooking food for langar. They could also simply give food to a Gurdwara to help.
How was Sikh Langar started?
Guru Nanak dev ji considered every creature same. So in langar everybody - be a king or poor - sit on the floor and have food together irrespective of caste, creed and everything else.
Does Langar always have to be Indian food?
Within the gurdwara, the Guru ka Langar (Guru's community kitchen) serves purely lacto-vegetarian food. The reason for serving vegetarian food is that the Langar is open to all. Since many faiths and persons have varying taboos on what to eat and how meat should be prepared, and since Sikhs accept these restrictions and accommodate people no matter no matter what their faith or culture is, the safest option thought by the Sikh Gurus was to adopt vegetarian food for Langar. Meat was included in langar at the time of Guru Angad but then discontinued to accommodate Vashnavites The exception to vegetarian langar today is when Nihangs serve meat ] on the occasion of Holla Mohalla, and call it MahaPrashad.
What else do Sikhs do when worshipping?
When Sikhs worship, the head should be covered, after the worship is over, there is langar(community Kitchen) at Gurudwara(sikh place of worship), there is singing of hymns from holy scriptures.
How do Sikh people celebrate Gurpubs?
Guruprabs are celebrated by continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib which takes 48 hours.During this process Sikhs visit to Gurudwara continuously, they help in cooking community meal (langar) which goes from the beginning of the Guruprabs till the end.Singing of Hymns takes place, reflecting upon the teachings of Sikh Gurus and Sikh Bhagats.
What might you learn from eating in a langar hall?
- Eating in a langar hall is much different than eating just anywhere else. What makes it so unique is that everyone sits on the floor (ground level) which symbolises equality and extinction of cast.- The food that is prepared is made by volunteers, there are no hired chefs and cooks, the comman man puts in his/her time to do what is called seva.- When eating in the langar hall you sense that you are cared about and that god's house will always have an open door for you. Whether you are wealthy or poor, a Sikh or non-Sikh or just about anything else.You learn that as you get together as a community there is no difference between you and someone you may come to believe is more superior than you are. Sitting on the floor symbolises a whole lot in the Sikh faith and that is why there is no use of chairs/seats in the temple.
What is the Community Kitchen for Sikhs called?
Langar Khana or Langar-Ghar
Who prepares the food for a Langar?
The people who worship in the gurdwara prepare the langar.
What foods are offered to the Guru in the Sikh religion?
In the Gurudwara, the vegetables and chappatis (and other available food) and some water are offered to the Guru, then they are put back into the langar and mixed so people can eat the blessed food.
Who pays for the food at the langar?
The Panth (the community) and the Sangat (a collection of Sikh followers) pay for the food.
What is a langar?
A langar hall is where you eat inside a gurdwara. :) :) :) :) :P :P :P :P
