Langar
Langar is a free communal meal served at a Sikh gurdwara, open to all regardless of background. It expresses equality and service through shared food.
Seva: Selfless service performed for the benefit of others, a central Sikh religious practice. Volunteers prepare, serve, and clean up as an expression of seva.
Guru Nanak: The founder of Sikhism and its first Guru, who lived from 1469 to 1539. Tradition associates Guru Nanak with the early practice of feeding people without distinction.
Sikh principles: Core Sikh teachings that include devotion to God, honest work, and sharing with others. Langar gives concrete form to sharing and equal regard for all.
Disaster relief: Organized assistance that protects and supports people affected by disasters. Sikh volunteers have used langar-style meals to feed people during emergencies.
Sangat: A congregation of Sikhs gathered for worship and religious life. The congregation sustains langar through collective participation and care.
Guru Amar Das: The third Sikh Guru, who led the Sikh community from 1552 to 1574. He promoted communal meals and required visitors to eat before meeting him.
Caste system in India: A historically entrenched system of social stratification based on inherited status and occupation. Langar’s common table challenges caste-based separation in dining.
COVID-19 pandemic: The global outbreak of COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, beginning in 2019. During lockdowns, Sikh organizations adapted meal distribution to reach people safely.
Pangat: A row of people sitting together to share a meal, especially in Sikh practice. Sitting in pangat makes diners share space without distinctions of rank.
Guru Granth Sahib: The central Sikh scripture, regarded by Sikhs as the community’s living Guru. Its teachings provide the scriptural setting for langar’s ideals of equality and devotion.