How to Serve a Sikh Langar

A langar is a quintessentially Sikh tradition, in which anywhere from dozens to even thousands of people are fed, for free. No one is turned away, no matter what their gender, creed, nationality or religion. The entire point of the langar is to sit and eat as equals.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Know that the preparation of the food requires the utmost cleanliness. Not only should the kitchen be spotless, but the the mouth and nose of the cooks--"sevadars," meaning "selfless workers"--should be covered by a piece of cloth (this cloth is known as a "parna").
2. Know that the preparation should not only be clean, but also pure. While working, the sevadars will usually utter Gurbani--any writings by the gurus--but otherwise refrain from speaking.
3. Pour a small serving of each dish into a plate or bowl and place it all in front of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib when the langar is ready. In Sikhism, this book, and not any one guru, is considered the supreme spiritual authority.
4. Perform the "Ardas," a prayer meant to thank the Creators. After this blessing, a steel kirpan, a ceremonial dagger, is passed through each item of food. The langar can't be eaten until the Ardas has taken place.
5. Return each item of food to its original pot or container once the Ardas is complete. Since that food has become holy, it will thereby transmit its holiness to the entire congregation.
6. Know that when serving the langar, the servers will also observe strict rules of cleanliness. The utensils used to serve the food should not touch the plate. If serving foods by hand, the hands should not touch the hand or plate of those being served. Everyone must be served before the servers themselves may sit and eat.
7. Do not to leave any leftovers.

Tips & Warnings

• Some Sikhs are completely vegetarian and so the langar is completely vegetarian as well.