Sikh Society - Langar On Campus

Langar serves meals all free of charge, regardless of religion, caste, gender, economic status, or ethnicity. As Sikhs, we believe that there is God in everyone around us, and by serving people, we are also serving God. This selfless service helps us get closer to God. This function of Seva (selfless service) results in a community feeling in our minds as it helps us drop our mask of ego. The feeling of "I" or "me" is forgotten as we perform this valuable service to humanity.

The concept of Langar was initiated by the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Their father, Mehta Kalu, handed them 20 rupees and sent them off to find items that they could make profits off. On the way to a market, Guru Nanak Dev Ji came across a group of "sadhus" (holy people) who looked hungry and thirsty. Guru Ji took all the money given to a nearby village, and bought food for the "sadhus"(holy people). They gave the food to the sadhus and went home. Upon reaching home, they asked their father not to get angry at them, as they had done nothing wrong but instead done a "Sacha Sauda" ( a honest/true bargain). Doing good to the people is the way of a Sikh. Sharing with the needy, makes the day of a Sikh. The true bargain of life is sharing one's earnings with the needy and helping in whatever way we can. 

Everyone sits on one level when eating Langar. An Emperor came to visit the third Sikh Guru, Guru Amar Das Ji, and before being permitted to meet the Guru, he was given the request that if he wanted to meet the Guru, he would first have to sit side by side with the rich and the poor alike, and have Langar. This established the sense of equality between everyone who comes to eat Langar.

Come along and enjoy a free hot meal, whilst also learning a bit more about Sikhism :)