Langar Hall

Langar, or Guru ka langar, is a term found in the
Guru’s writings and there is a reference to Mata Khivi
serving langar (AGGS, Bhatt, p 967). It has been
suggested that its origin may lie in Sufi Islam but to
defend the uniqueness of the founder, the Sikhs often
dispute and reject the suggestion. The concept is
fundamental to his teaching and may be seen as the
corollary of sewa. ‘Langar’ means ‘eating together
without discrimination’, or ‘free kitchen’, and that is a
place where anyone may come to be fed. It fits in
perfectly with the first Guru’s teachings on sewa.
Today, and the tradition the practice is based on goes
back a long way, langar is characterised by three things:
pangat, eating in lines sitting on the ground, facing one
another; a vegetarian meal so that no one need feel
threatened by the diet provided, and the donation of
food by members of the sangat (Congregation).
Responsibility for langar, some giving food, others
preparing and cooking it, while others serve and wash
up - or, where it is served on leaf plates, clear away the
debris is the point where langar and sewa converge
Waheguru ji ka Khalsa , Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh