Monday 2 November 2009

Langar and Sikhism


Today I was honoured to be invited with my daughter Louise to celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib at Langar Hall, Church street, Lenton. Guru Nanak Sahib started the practice of Langar that prevails today in the Gurdwaras all over the world.

LANGAR is an institution of fundamental importance in Sikhism. It is sitting together to partake of food from a common kitchen regardless of caste, creed, sex, age or social status.
Eating together must take precedence over meeting together. ( nothing changes)
Langar is a Sanskrit word. In Saxon times Langar was a place of pilgrimage when Langar Hall was situated a mile to the north of the church, by the river Smite, the pilgrims walked up the hill to the 11th century church and then on towards Colston Bassett where the priory of St Ethelburgers was a place of pilgrimage 'to where great multitudes resort'
Draw a line on the map from the Observatory in Edinborough to Grenwich and you will find the line goes straight through reception and out through the study.
There is something very special about Langar.

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