Delhi's Bangla Sahib Gurdwara has always been more than a religious place. With the calm and comfort that the sanctity of the holy place provides, it also is known for its langar (kitchen for Punjabi), a term used in Sikhism for community kitchen where free meals are provided to visitors.?
Mostly it is the underprivileged who are fed everyday. While the coronavirus pandemic has put a halt to everything that is normal, the custom of langar has continued at Bangla Sahib during the lockdown with nearly 3 lakh people fed so far.
For centuries the faithful have flocked to the temple for its healing waters and a free meal at the community kitchen, the symbol of equality found at every Sikh temple complex and open to all visitors.
The gurdwara has remained open through wars and plagues, serving millions of people food during the biggest of crisis. The willingness to serve those in need has never been felt greater, as volunteers at holy shrine continue to provide meals amid the virus outbreak.
According to AP, about four dozen men who sleep at the temple¡¯s guesthouse, have been engaging in cooking and serving meals to the needy. To save time commuting to and from the temple and avoid the risk of infecting loved ones, they haven¡¯t seen their families since the lockdown began March 25.
Bangla Sahib is the largest of New Delhi¡¯s 10 gurdwaras, whose kitchens together form a vital part of the city¡¯s strategy to feed the poor during the pandemic.
Delhi government approached the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee just after India¡¯s nationwide lockdown began in late March, according to AP citing? committee president, Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
Bangla Sahib, which usually prepares around half a million meals per week using donated ingredients and equipment, is quickly ramping up to produce six times that many.
The government sends trucks to pick up the meals each day and distribute them to a network of shelters and drop-off points, but pays nothing for the food.??
When India needs it the most, Sikh community is stepping yup again to do their?bit to ensure no one sleep hungry. The tradition continues in dire circumstances, but the spirit?of humanity lives throughout.