What is “Langar”?
“Langar” is food prepared by members of the community, or a family, to feed free meals from a community kitchen to all who come to the court of the Guru. Langar, or “Guru Ka Langar”is one of the pillars of the Sikh way of life. Sikhs believe that God cares for the entire creation without distinction as to who is great or who is small. Langar is a symbol that God is the greatest giver. The Divine gives life and breath and sustenance, and is the source of all things. In the Sikh view, God’s gifts are boundless and bountiful for all, and there is no reason for anyone to be hungry.
For Sikhs, the more we give in service to the langar program, such as giving ingredients to make the langar, our time to prepare and cook it, or serving langar to the people who come to the Gurdwara or Guru’s court, the more we can experience being divine like God.
Darbar Sahib, the Golden Temple in Punjab, India is known to feed 10,000 people langar a day. The Golden Temple has its four doors open in each of the four directions to welcome people from the four castes and every direction of the globe to this House of Peace. All people are equally cherished, and everyones’ beliefs and traditions are respected.
The Sikh Gurus established langar to feed our spiritual hunger and longing to belong to the heart of God, as well as to provide nourishment to our bodies. The Guru’s formula for sharing ensures there is plenty for all. During langar people from many different backgrounds sit together equally, and talk with one another, learning about each other’s point of view. In this way, langar serves to break down barriers of ignorance, fear, and misunderstanding, so that we learn to appreciate, empathize, and value others whose ways may have been unknown, different, or misunderstood by us in the past.
What is “Deg”?
“Deg” means free community kitchen, which is langar. Sikhs serve free langar to anyone who comes or is in need.
The Sikh expression “Deg Teg Fateh” outlines the dual responsibilities of the Khalsa Sikh: to provide food to all who need it and to provide protection for the needy and oppressed in society.
- “Deg” means “free community kitchen”
- “Teg” means “sword to protect the weak and helpless”
- “Fateh” means “victory”
How did the Tradition of Langar Begin?
Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, began the langar tradition when he fed the sadhus (holy ascetics) using the money given to him by his father to start a business. He also wrote a hymn about his work, calling himself a ‘Merchant of the Lord’. Mata Tripta, Guru Nanak’s mother, let Guru Nanak serve food to all of his friends when he was boy, and instilled in him the value of serving others, and this ultimately inspired him to create Guru Ka Langar.
Later, Mata Khivi, the wife of Guru Amar Das, the third Sikh Guru, implemented the practice of serving langar on a larger scale. Her name was entered into the Sri Guru Granth Sahib in honor of her seva to set the highest example, humbly and sweetly serving the Guru’s langar to everyone who gathered in the Guru’s court.
What is the Importance of Serving Food to Others?
Sikhs believe that in serving others, we share the greatest form of sustenance, and feed the greatest longing within ourselves, which is love. For Sikhs, the spirit of service also helps maintain the purity and power of the food.
In the bani “Asa Di Var,” Guru Nanak says, “Only in purity can one experience the Truth.”
All acts that contradict this spirit of maintaining purity during the preparation and serving of langar are avoided. For example, Sikhs avoid tasting the langar while preparing it. Langar should be cooked with a loving vibration and then blessed by Shabads (Sikh hymns) and Ardas (Sikh prayer). Only then shall it be served and eaten.
~Resource: Living Reality (1994) by Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa.
