Langar

It is fascinating to experience different people's background and belief system in person if one can.  We enjoyed such an experience right here in the bay area today.  We went and attended a prayer service for the Sikh religion followed by a community lunch served by volunteers at the attached kitchen to the main prayer hall.

This place of worship for the Sikh community is called a Gurdwara or literally the gateway to the master or leader (guru).  The SF bay area has quite a few around which is a testament to the Sikh diaspora in this area.  Many thousands have migrated from their native Punjab over the last five decades and made this area home.

They have since married in caste and inter caste and have a diverse population scattered across the region.  We were able to visit this weekend and witness a lot of social and religious events within an hour.  On first impression the location appears very calming situated on about 100 acres of the east bay hills. 

Just as you enter the hall right on top of the doorway is a picture frame of the mothership of their guru - the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India.  Then you enter the hall (with a scarf tied on your head for both men and women) and sit on either side of the central walkway.   I forgot to do the needful since the scarf bin was located behind me as I entered.  A Sikh priest came by to point me to get one.

Other Hindu temples do not have this restriction.  In fact I wander around in shorts when I visit one in my neighborhood.  But hey this is their practice and those are the rules.  So be it.

This is tradition in the Sikh faith.

As you enter the main structure you are struck by the marble flooring and the sounds of what appears to be a prayer being chanted by the local priests.  There is a holy book as the centerpiece of the large hall that you enter which is continually fanned by a volunteer.  This is also different from Hindu temples which tend to contain a lot of idols from mythology.  Here no idol worship - but the real deal.  A man who devoted his life for others is worshipped.

After spending a few minutes to listen to the sound of the service (I cannot understand this language so it is hard to tell the specifics) which by and large is known to be a song of praise for their guru and appreciation for his teachings which summed up imply - one should love your fellow beings and protect the weak.

It was getting on the prandial hour and I know from reading and first hand accounts that there is a serious meal to be had somewhere on premises.  So we walked around the building past what appeared to be a wedding in progress.  Lots of folk dressed in their party best attire were having a jolly time eating and mingling.  We skirted past all the hoopla and found the community kitchen.  Here a team of volunteers was preparing food as well as serving the arriving guests.

We took a steel plate and spoon and queued up.  First some Indian bread - rotis and poori.  Then a couple of vegetable and lentil preparations in Indian masala followed by dessert and hot milk tea.  This entire experience is defined as the Langar. 

The only catch as the pictures indicate is to sit on the floor cross legged to consume this holy offering.

A full meal - zero cost.  All part of the larger message to spread kindness and generosity among your fellow humans.  As we left this place I could not help notice that message on the company car.