What does Langar mean in Sikhism?

An Ardas (prayer) is performed asking the Guru Granth Sahib to accept the Karah Parsad food and bless the sevadars who prepared it and bless those that eat from the Langar. When recite the Ardas it is ask Guru to bless the Prasad and the Langar. Langar is not touched with a knife; but with a Kirpan ( A dagger, sword or sheath knife with one cutting edge). The root word of kirpan is Kripa, which means grace. Langar and prasad touched with the kripan, thereby passing Guru’s Grace into it. Steel is a conductor of energy. Further, the energy of the steel also transfers to the Langar and parsad, giving it that extra strength, tempered by the sweetness of the Anand. The blade is sharpened steel to give us the sharp edge of discrimination so that we can act wisely. We cover the Langar and Prasad to protect it. All the colors, or vibrations, the head must be covered and shoes removed in this hall, the Langar should be served on the floor with the sangat sitting cross-legged.

Seva (selfless service) is a sacred duty, and can be done anywhere for anyone. An important from of seva is Langar. All who visit the Gurdwara sit down together in a row and partake of the simple food offered with loving care irrespective of the recipient’s caste, color, creed, sex, nationality, social background or position in the community. The community freely gives all the food and services associated with the Langar, and the food is vegetarian. Amritdhari sevadar are serving the langar, it is not necessary. Serving sevadar has to wear a Parna (Bandana) around their heads for reasons of hygiene. It is a symbol of the Sikh belief in a non-sexist, non-racist society; equality, fraternity and brotherhood where all people of all caste, religion are equal and can share a common meal in the true print of unity. It is not unusually to see at a Langar of a millionaire seated next to his own servant in a Pangat. Some high caste has his meal along with harijan, or a landlord sitting along with his workers.

There are two types of Langar, which are attached to all major Sikh Gurdwaras
(a) Langar of Daily meals
(b) Shabad-ka-Langar

Langar of Daily meals “Free kitchen or open alms house” attached to most of the important Gurdwaras offers two square meals to every visitor, rich or poor, and more so to the destitute and the homeless, the travelers and pilgrims. It is a sin for a Sikh to question a man’s faith and creed before offering him a seat in the Langar. It is open to all human beings of all nationalities, and all peoples of all countries. The rich and the poor, the black and white people, the Hindus, Muslims and Christians all sit in a row and eat to their fill the food that is prepared. Bhai Desa Singh in his Rehitnama says: ” A Sikh who is well to do must look to the needs of a poor neighbours. Whenever he meets a traveler or a pilgrim from foreign country, he must serve him devotedly.