What is the Langar (temple of bread)?
The institution of “free kitchen” or “temple of bread”, as Prof. Puran Singh called it, was started by Waheguru Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. Guru Sahab Ji desired that every Sikh should share his food with others – Wand Chakkna – and that his kitchen should be open to all. Subsequently the Langar took on an institution form and became a part of Sikh Gurudwara. This community kitchen is meant to provide food to all devotees and pilgrims. Every Sikh is expected to contribute to it either by donating food stuff or by participating in cooking and distribution of food. Waheguru Guru Nanak Sahib Ji set up a temple of bread at Kartarpur where people brought corn and fuel, and worked together to prepare a common meal for the whole community. Waheguru Guru Angad Dev Ji extended the Langar and personally served in it. Waheguru Guru Amardas Ji turned it into an institution and ordered that all who came to see him must first eat in Langar; food first, congregation next – pehley pangat peechay sangat. Even
