Langar Facility (Food) at the Gurdwara
Langar or Food is served to the devotees who attend the Gurdwara Khalsa Darbar in Southampton.
This is served all day long and 7 days a week and 365 days a year.
You are welcome to have Langar when visiting the Gurdwara.
You can also make a contribution to the Langar by showing your interest and giving a generous donation.
Interesting facts about Langar
Langar is originally a Persian word. Langar translates as ‘an almshouse’ or ‘a place for the poor and needy’. It is a community kitchen in the Sikh tradition and refers to the food served in the Sikh temple (Gurdwara).
The langar (or free kitchen) was introduced by Guru Nanak, who was the founder of Sikhism and the first Guru, because of his belief in the oneness of humanity. He offered free meals to everyone, regardless of their caste, gender or wealth.
No one is ever refused entry into the Gurdwara, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or religion. IT is a place where a fresh Vegetarian food is served.
When Guru Amar Das ji attained the Throne of the Guru, he amplified the Langar tradition and made it a regular part of the community. He required that everyone who wanted to see him, join the langar first before joining the congregation.
How does this work?
When you enter the Gurdwara, you have to take your shoes off and cover your head with a scarf. Then you to the prayer room (normally upstairs). When you pay your respects to the religious scriptures, you give an offering. This is usually money, but doesn’t necessarily have to be. You give whatever you can, so if you can’t give money, you could give a bag of flour or a sack of onions.
All the donations are then used to run the Gurdwara. Once you have paid your respects and after the prayers, you go to the community room, and have your Langar (food). This has been prepared by the people doing seva ath the Gurdwara. Seva can be in form of washing up, or cutting and prepping vegetables or helping serve the food. Everybody should try to do seva as often as they can.
On occasions like Gurpurab and Baisakhi, families gather at their local Gurdwaras and begin with the preparations. The sight is as beautiful as one can imagine.