Gurdwara kitchen feeds all for free

The Sikh community in Cardiff shatters inequality through the practice of eating together and offering free meals every week

Sikh Gurdwara Cardiff feeds approximately 200 people for free every Sunday at the communal hall on its premises.

According to Simarmeet Singh, a volunteer at this gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) who oversees educational visits of the site, the number of people eating there generally range between 200 and 300.

He added that this number is even higher during festivals and events.

Embedded in the Sikh philosophy of equality, gurdwaras all over the word prepare food in the community kitchen (called langar) and eat together irrespective of cast, creed, class, income or gender.

“The division of cast was prevalent during the time of the founder of the Sikh faith – as it still is in some places today,” Simarmeet informed. “He introduced the system of langar and the practice of eating together regardless of all social differences.”

Food in Sikh Gurdwara Cardiff is served from around 12.30pm.

Given the quantity of food cooked, rather large pots and cooking utensils are used.

A prayer is said once the food is ready.

“The langar is run by volunteers for free,” Simarmeet said.

He further informed that sometimes individuals fully or partially sponsor the langar for a day.

The menu is always vegetarian. Lentils, rotis (breads), mixed vegetables and pickles are some of the items served.

Harminder Kaler, a volunteer who works at the langar, said, “You will often see queues of people entering the hall. Sometimes we have to cook twice to meet the need.”

Rows of people sit on the floor and eat together at the hall while volunteers walk around providing re-fills.

The langar is a brilliant initiative of Sikhism in promoting equality.

As Simarmeet put it, “We will never ask you whether you had been upstairs at the prayer hall before you arrived at the langar for your meal.”

 

Cafe Atma in Cardiff also provides free meals. See this story for more details.