What is the significance of Guru ka Langar?
Guru ka Langar signifies the equality of all human beings. Anyone partaking Langar will sit in a pangat or “row” without any distinction of caste or status to eat a common meal prepared in the community kitchen. Langar is entirely a community effort right from the beginning. The food stuff required is contributed by the Sangat or members of the congregation and the food is prepared and served by Sewadarss – who are volunteers and members of the congregation as well. During the period of the ten Gurus, the Gurus themselves contributed to and participated in this effort. Guru Amar Das, the third Nanak, firmly established his open free kitchen concept as we see it today and regularly served food to visitors round the clock. The Guru made it obligatory for every visitor to have food in this langar before coming to his presence. The Emperor and the prince, the rich and the poor, the high caste and the low caste, all complied with this requirement. All the Gurus propagated this institution.
