It was our first visit to a Gurudwara last sunday. Although we had been planning to visit one for quite sometime, we didn't get an oppurtunity. Finally when our friends Ravi and Raji mentioned that they had volunteered to provide and prepare the langar and they needed us to help them, we very happily agreed.
Langar means the free food that is served in a Gurudwara to Sikhs and non-Sikhs. Basically in the Gurudwara near our place in florida, every sunday some family volunteers to sponser and prepare food for everyone. I was all very excited to take part in the process. Personally we were very happy to be a part of their experience. It gave us an oppurtunity to learn something about Sikh religion and culture.
This is the kitchen where the food was prepared in the Gurudwara.
We , A bunch of friends spent the saturday evening in preparing for the next day. The Veggies were chopped.
A lot of preperation was done on saturday evening. We had to cook food for around 200 to 250 people.
On Sunday few people start arriving early morning in Gurudwara.
People start the day with an exercise session in the morning.
The stoves were lit in the kitchen.
A lot of volunteers arrive to cook food for the langar.
Our friend Lehar's mom was very helpful in supervising the cooking. She is busy in making Dal Makhani.
A lot of other volunteers arrived to make Rotis.
The tradition of langar is all about sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all humankind.
Langar upholds the principle of equality between all people regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status.
Langar means the free food that is served in a Gurudwara to Sikhs and non-Sikhs. Basically in the Gurudwara near our place in florida, every sunday some family volunteers to sponser and prepare food for everyone. I was all very excited to take part in the process. Personally we were very happy to be a part of their experience. It gave us an oppurtunity to learn something about Sikh religion and culture.
This is the kitchen where the food was prepared in the Gurudwara.
The pantry was stocked.
A lot of preperation was done on saturday evening. We had to cook food for around 200 to 250 people.
On Sunday few people start arriving early morning in Gurudwara.
People start the day with an exercise session in the morning.
The stoves were lit in the kitchen.
Breakfast is prepared for people present in the morning. It was Poha this sunday accompanied by fruits and rasgulla. All prepared by volunteers.
A lot of volunteers arrive to cook food for the langar.
Our friend Lehar's mom was very helpful in supervising the cooking. She is busy in making Dal Makhani.
Our friend Raji immersed in cooking Jeera Rice.
Boondi Raita in the making.
A lot of other volunteers arrived to make Rotis.
The tradition of langar is all about sharing, community, inclusiveness and oneness of all humankind.
Langar upholds the principle of equality between all people regardless of religion, caste, colour, creed, age, gender or social status.
People selflessly do all the work.
The food was amazingly delicious which was served after the prayer session. It's not only during the preparation of food. Even serving the food, washing-up, cleaning the dishes, cleaning the kitchen and the community hall are also done by volunteers. I was totally perplexed how people selflessly served.
It is one place, where nobody is big or nobody is small. It only teaches us that 'All are equal in the eyes of God'.
8 comments:
really nice to know this...
Yes. I have also had Langar in India as well as Canada. Its a nice concept. Actually in a temple in Canada, the same concept is adopted and every sunday there will be couple of volunteers serving fud. But they cook frm home and serve in the temple Dining hall
@Shanti: Thanks.
@ SMi: Thats really nice Smi. Its a very good system.
Langar is so much fun... Ash u mentioned the most important part of Gurudwara and langar, the divine Prashad. I used go and do seva as a kid so many times all thanks to a very dear punjabi friend...
N also had the opportunity to visit the golden temple and have the very delicious langar there... yum yum yum...
It's really a nice concept Ash... We have the same conept here in a temple and few weeks backs one of my colleague volunteered for it, so we all went.... Really felt so good in doing the service.
Keep blogging, I always look forward for ur blogs .)
@Rohini:
Rightly said! Delicious prasad.
@Savitha:
I know..it's such a nice concept.Anyways. Thanks for the appreciation.
I never had an opportunity to be part of this experience. I will look forward for this, and nice to know that you enjoyed it!
Loved reading about Langar :) And loved the colourful pics :)
Post a Comment