Gurdwara and Langar
What happens at the Gurdwara, how to behave there, and why everyone eats together.
Grown-ups: A practical guide to Gurdwara etiquette before a visit; local customs vary a little between Gurdwaras.
The Guru's door
Gurdwara means 'the Guru's door'. It is where Guru Granth Sahib Ji is placed and where the Sangat gathers to sing, listen and pray. You can often spot a Gurdwara by the Nishan Sahib, a tall saffron or blue flag. Gurdwara doors are open to everyone, whatever their religion or background.
Getting ready to go in
Before going in, take off your shoes and put them in the shoe area. Cover your head with a turban, patka, chunni or scarf; many Gurdwaras have spare head coverings. Wash your hands, and in many places your feet too. Leave behind anything that doesn't belong, such as tobacco or alcohol. Walk in quietly and calmly.
Inside the Darbar hall
Walk up to Guru Granth Sahib Ji, bow gently with your forehead to the floor if you wish (this is called matha tekna), and then sit on the floor with the Sangat. Try not to point your feet towards the Guru. Listen to the kirtan, stay quiet, and at the end you may receive Karah Parshad in cupped hands.
Langar: everyone eats together
Langar is the free community kitchen. Everyone sits on the floor in rows, called pangat, and eats the same simple vegetarian food. Rich or poor, young or old, Sikh or not, all sit side by side. Volunteers cook, serve and wash up as seva. Take only what you can finish, and say thank you!
Words to know
Mata Khivi Ji's kitchen
This is a story from Sikh tradition. Mata Khivi Ji was the wife of Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second Guru. At Khadur Sahib she looked after the Langar with great love. Anyone who came, tired travellers, poor families, people of every background, was welcomed and fed. She made sure the food was nourishing and served warmly, and she is often remembered for her rich, sweet kheer (rice pudding). Mata Khivi Ji is even praised in Gurbani for her kindness and generosity. Her Langar showed that caring for others with our hands is a way of loving Waheguru.
From Gurbani
ਲੰਗਰੁ ਚਲੈ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦਿ ਹਰਿ ਤੋਟਿ ਨ ਆਵੀ ਖਟੀਐ ॥
Langar chalai gur sabad har tott na aavee khatteeai.
The Langar runs by the Guru's Word, and its store of earnings never runs short.
ਲੰਗਰ ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਬਦ ਨਾਲ ਚੱਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੀ ਕਮਾਈ ਦਾ ਭੰਡਾਰ ਕਦੇ ਘਟਦਾ ਨਹੀਂ।
This line comes from a Vaar that also praises Mata Khivi Ji: the Langar runs by the Guru's Word and its store never runs out.
ਗੁਰ ਦੁਆਰੈ ਹਰਿ ਕੀਰਤਨੁ ਸੁਣੀਐ ॥
Gur duaarai har keeratan suneeai.
Through the Guru's door, the Divine praises are heard.
ਗੁਰੂ ਦੇ ਦਰ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਰੱਬ ਦੀ ਸਿਫ਼ਤ-ਸਾਲਾਹ ਸੁਣੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਹੈ।
At the Guru's door we hear songs in praise of the One.
A family Langar at home
- Choose a simple meal to cook together, like dal, rice or rotis.
- Give everyone a job: washing, chopping (with a grown-up), stirring, setting out, serving or washing up.
- Invite a neighbour, friend or grandparent to share the meal.
- Sit together on the floor on a clean sheet, in a row like a pangat.
- Before eating, take a quiet moment to say thank you.
Family conversation
- Why do you think everyone sits on the floor in Langar?
- What is one job you could do as seva next time we visit the Gurdwara?
- Who could we invite to our family Langar?