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Services > Seva: Langar
LANGAR SEWA
Langar, a free community kitchen in every Gurdwara. Langar is a free food service provided in every Gurdwara Sahib. Begun by Guru Angad Dev Ji in the
sixteenth century and given the synonym 'pangat', the traditional practice of langar is two-fold. The food is preparation by members of the sangat (congregation)
and then consumed by them and those in need of a good meal.
While eating, the sangat sits together on the ground and enjoys the prepared food. This act, of sitting together on the floor, is representative of pridelessness
and an expression of human equality. With the original purpose of the langar being to both, help feed the hungry and eliminate the stigmas placed in people's
minds by the Hindu caste system, (ultimately looking upon all human race as equal), this practice created a new means of viewing society through a universal
looking glass.
Langar Sewa is available for the following regular Gurdwara programs:
For more information, download the Langar Sewa Ration Guide.
Langar, a free community kitchen in every Gurdwara. Langar is a free food service provided in every Gurdwara Sahib. Begun by Guru Angad Dev Ji in the
sixteenth century and given the synonym 'pangat', the traditional practice of langar is two-fold. The food is preparation by members of the sangat (congregation)
and then consumed by them and those in need of a good meal.
While eating, the sangat sits together on the ground and enjoys the prepared food. This act, of sitting together on the floor, is representative of pridelessness
and an expression of human equality. With the original purpose of the langar being to both, help feed the hungry and eliminate the stigmas placed in people's
minds by the Hindu caste system, (ultimately looking upon all human race as equal), this practice created a new means of viewing society through a universal
looking glass.
Langar Sewa is available for the following regular Gurdwara programs:
- Sunday mornings.
- Wednesday evenings.
- Saturday mornings for Asa di Vaar programs.
- Isteri Satsang: separately organised by the ladies is held from 2.00 to 4.30 pm every first Saturday of each month.
- Langar Sewa can be jointly hosted by persons/ families.
- You are also welcome to jointly host Langar sewa for other special programs ( e.g. Gurpurabs) that are announced from time to time.
- If preferred you can make a cash donation in whole or part for any Langar sewa.
For more information, download the Langar Sewa Ration Guide.
- Programs must be booked with the Gurdwara manager or Granthi. If not contactable please obtain a booking sheet from the granthi or any committee member at the office, fill in the details and you will be contacted to confirm the booking if available on the date.
- Once a program is booked speak to the Langar Sewadar.
- He/She will provide you with a printed list of rations and other items that you will need for the Langar.
- The Committee Member for Langar, can assist you with planning.
- The purchase of milk and yoghurt can be arranged through the Gurdwara from the regular suppliers.
- Dry rations such as flour and dhaal and vegetables should be preferably brought by host but may be available from the Gurdwara store.
- All payments for any purchases must be made to the SGNSS Treasurer and a receipt obtained.
- If using the kitchen facilities to cook for booked home programs, permission must first be obtained from the SGNSS Gurdwara Manager.
- The use of the kitchen facilities for cooking Langar to be served at the Gurdwara will take priority over that for home programs at all times.
- Items borrowed for home programs must be returned on time. Any lost or damaged items must be replaced.
- Please organise your own sewadars particularly on Wednesdays, this being a working day for most people.
- Cutting up of vegetables and the preparation of ingredients for Sunday's Langar is done on Saturdays. Please ensure that you organise sewadars for this.
- It is not the responsibility of the Langar Sewadar employed by SGNSS to do this preparation though he/she may assist.
- For Wednesdays cooking begins at about 12 noon.
- Phulka (Roti bread) cooking begins at about 4.00 pm.
- You are also welcome to jointly host Langar sewa for other special programs ( e.g. Gurpurabs) that are announced from time to time.
- Please bring along family members and friends to assist with cooking.
- Please wash your hands before handling food.
- Please keep your hair covered.
- Footwear, if worn, must be reserved only for use in the kitchen.
- The Langar Sewadar can be of assistance. However, his/her duties for sewa in the Diwan take priority.
- It is the responsibility of the Langar Sewadar employed by SGNSS to organise the preparation of Langar. There are voluntary sewadars who are rostered for food preparation on Sundays.
- Unauthorised persons must refrain from interfering with the preparation of food or handling of the prepared Langar while the diwan program is going on.
- For all regular and special Gurdwara programs the time for the serving of Langar is determined by the management committee.
- All kitchen appliances and stoves must be cleaned up and the kitchen left in a clean state after use. Please place all rubbish (with empty boxes crushed up)
in the large bins outside. - The Langar hall and the benches area must also be cleaned up.