Painting of Langar

1500 CE - Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Founder of the Sikh faith in the Punjab, India.

This commissioned painting demonstrating the concept of Langar, a free Sikh Community Kitchen, that promotes equality, community, and compassion. Langar symbolizes Sikh values of selfless service, and humility, sharing of nourishing meals with everyone, all faiths, socio groups, gender, beliefs, human unity. 

The roots of Langar go back to the time of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism in the 15th century. Guru Nanak emphasized the importance of equality and the fight against discrimination. To implement this principle, he created the concept of Langar, where people from all backgrounds, regardless of caste, creed, gender, beliefs or social status, sat together and shared a meal as equals. 

Langar serves both practical and spiritual purposes in the Sikh community. On a practical level, this ensures that no one in the community goes hungry. It is a way to satisfy the basic human need for food and nutrition. On a spiritual level, Langar embodies Sikh values ​​such as selfless service (seva) and humility (nimrata). Volunteers, known as (sevadaars), prepare, serve and clean up after the meal, with an emphasis of giving without expecting anything. 

The concept is practised today in all Gurdwaras around the word, where communities volunteer to cook and sit together for langar. The SCCYC Sikh Museum Northampton exhibits an array of exhibitions, all sharing the consistent value of community and equality. Exhibits include artefacts, objects, wall displays, paintings, library and the community kitchen and langar hall within the Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Northampton.