Langar (Punjabi: ਲੰਗਰ) is the term used in Sikhism for the community kitchen. A hallmark of the Sikh faith, it was established by the first Guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in the year 1481. The tradition of Langar expresses the ethics of sharing, community, inclusiveness, and oneness of the entire humankind, where a free meal is served to all the visitors, without distinction of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. The simple, vegetarian meal is prepared and served by Sewadars (dedicated service providers) and volunteers from the Sangat.
At its core, Langar is designed to uphold the principle of equality, to eliminate the extreme poverty in the world, and to promote “caring communities”.
