Guruka Langar
- July 14, 2020
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
1 Comment
Subject: Arts and culture
Context:
In Delhi, since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, one lakh meals have been served to poor and migrant laborers through community kitchen of Sikhs.
Concept:
- It was founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century.
- The practice of a free community kitchen serving food to everyone without any discrimination has become well-known all over the globe.
- The word ‘langar’ has its origin in Persian, and means a public eating place where people, especially the needy, are given food.
- This practice derives its meaning from the touchstone of Nanak’s three pillars of philosophy – “kiratkaro” (earn with labour), “naamjapo” (contemplate the various names of God), and “vandchako” (share with others).
- The sharing of meals by people sitting together on the floor irrespective of their social background was a one-of-its-kind taboo-breaking practice.
- The second Sikh guru Angad Dev and his wife Mata Khivi played a crucial role in strengthening the tradition of langar.
- The third Sikh Guru, Amar Das, too devoutly followed ‘sangataurpangat’ and anyone who used to come to meet him, was first served langar.
- It is said that even when Emperor Akbar came to meet him, Guru suggested he should first have langar sitting with everyone on the floor, which Akbar accepted.
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