The world’s largest kitchen is located in India at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This massive kitchen feeds over 1 lakh (100,000) devotees every day, which makes it the biggest kitchen in India. The temple complex and its cafeteria are open to all and run with the help of volunteers from all over the world.
The kitchen has been designed to accommodate about 4000 workers at any given time. On special occasions, the kitchen is even larger with over 10,000 chefs working in it. The kitchen is equipped with massive vessels in which cooked food is stored and large cauldrons in which meals are prepared.
Over 25,000 kgs of food is cooked and served every day, which includes 52 vegetarian dishes, and prasad (consecrated food). No food is carried away and everything is consumed on site itself. The kitchens are hygienic and clean and give out a smell of mustered oil and spices.
All ingredients are sourced locally and the food is freshly prepared without any preservatives. One must visit this grand kitchen to experience this massive operation firsthand.
How many meals served at Golden Temple?
At the Harmandir Sahib (also known as the Golden Temple) in Amritsar, India, more than 100,000 meals are served free of charge to those in need every single day. The free meals have been served since the time of the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das in 1577, and the temple complex continues to be the largest free kitchen in the world.
Langar, the free community kitchen, provides vegetarian food to people from all faiths and backgrounds, regardless of their gender, religion, caste, or social standing. This number even increases to around 150,000 during holy festivals.
The food served is cooked and served with love by hundreds of volunteers daily, who have come from all over the world to work in the kitchen. The meals usually include dishes like roti, rice, dhal, chutney, and kheer.
The Golden Temple offers a unique example of communal dining which celebrates the common brotherhood of humanity.
Why is garlic not used in langar?
Garlic is not used in langar for various reasons. The primary one being that the langar is intended to provide everyone an equal experience regardless of social background, financial status, or religious leanings.
In some cultures and religions, certain foods like garlic and onion, are believed to be offensive in the presence of certain divinities. In langar, everyone is encouraged to enjoy the meal as one family and by avoiding potentially offensive foods, this binds everyone together as one.
In some Eastern religions and cultures, garlic and onions are believed to activate the lower chakras of the body and influence one’s behavior in a negative way, while relying on higher chakras like love and perseverance is preferred in religious gatherings.
As a major part of Sikh teachings involves humbleness and connecting with the divine, using garlic and onions in the langar would be inappropriate.
Additionally, garlic and onions can impart strong flavors and smells to a dish if not cooked properly, which could lead to unenjoyable meals. So in order to provide a quality meal where individual tastes and preferences can be enjoyed, but at the same time be applicable to a wide array of individuals, garlic and onions are excluded from langar.
How many people do gurdwaras feed?
Gurdwaras, or Sikh places of worship, are well known for their charitable acts and the free meals they provide for worshippers and community members alike. The exact number of people a gurdwara feeds can vary, depending on the size of the gurdwara, the local community demographics, and the resources available.
In larger cities where the Sikh population is more established and gurdwaras are larger and more well funded, it is not uncommon to see over 1,000 people a day being fed at the gurdwara’s Langar (place for dining).
Gurdwaras in cities like London and Toronto may serve humanitarian meals to up to 5,000 people on a single day! In smaller and rural gurdwaras, the number of people served may not be as high, yet generous free meals are still provided to all who come.
It is estimated that over 2 million meals are served each year at gurdwaras across the world and it has become an important part of Sikhism and a way to give back to the community. The gurdwaras recognize the importance of feeding, and providing sustenance, to those in need and continue to do so in a spirit of selfless service and good will.
Is food available in Golden Temple train?
Yes, food is available on the Golden Temple train. The Golden Temple Express is a special train between Amritsar and Delhi. It is operated by Indian Railways with a variety of provisions and facilities for passengers.
The train provides complimentary meals of North Indian dishes such as Dal Makhani, Aloo Parathas, Raita, Kheer, Rice and Salad twice daily to all its passengers. In addition, there are also three pantry cars that operate on the train during various parts of the journey, serving a variety of snacks as well as hot and cold beverages.
For an added convenience, the pantry cars are open throughout the journey and ensure that everybody is provided with food.
Is Golden Temple train time change?
No, the Golden Temple train time has not changed. The train runs between Delhi and Amritsar and is one of the longest train routes in India and is one of the most popular as well. The train usually departs from Delhi at 0950 hrs and arrives in Amritsar at 1520 hrs after a journey of around six hours.
The return journey from Amritsar to Delhi usually departs from the Amritsar station at 1615 hrs and arrives in the Delhi station at 2210 hrs. This longstanding train route has been in operation for many years and there has been no change in the departure times of the train in recent years.
How the world’s largest community kitchen feeds 100000 daily at the Golden Temple India?
The Golden Temple in India is home to the world’s largest community kitchen, known as the “langar”, which feeds over 100,000 people every day – without regard to caste or social standing. The langar has been a source of communal sustenance and solidarity for centuries and is now providing much-needed relief to vulnerable communities during the global pandemic.
The langar serves a simple yet nutritious meal of roti (flatbread), dal (lentil curry), sabzi (vegetable curry), and kheer (pudding). Volunteers from the local community prepare and serve the langar, which is key to its success, and donations from visitors to the temple help fund the meal.
The temple’s complex supply chain is powered by several thousand dedicated volunteers and businesses who donate and deliver food from all over India and abroad. The temple also receives financial donations from institutions and individuals to purchase fuel, food, and transport services to ensure the smooth running of the kitchen.
The temple has adapted during the pandemic to ensure the safety of its thousands of volunteer workers, guests, and visitors. To minimize contact and reduce any risk of infection, the temple has taken a number of measures, such as having volunteers wear masks, providing contactless delivery and payment options, and introducing contactless food distribution systems.
Ultimately, the Golden Temple has served as a beacon of compassion and hope to millions of Indians and international visitors, providing sustenance and comfort in times of both crisis and stability. This is especially true during the pandemic, when the langar has provided an invaluable service to those in need and continues to demonstrate the spirit of unity and cooperation amongst the Indian people.
What is langar What is so special about langar in the Golden Temple?
Langar is a term derived from the Punjabi language that refers to the communal dining hall in Sikh temples, also known as Gurdwaras. The practice of offering free food to all visitors and guests to the temple is a tradition that has been carried on for centuries.
The concept of langar was created to ensure that all people are served a nutritious meal regardless of their religious, economic or social status.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar India is one of the most famous and renowned sites in Sikhism. The Golden Temple is unique and special as it provides free food to all visitors through the practice of Langar.
The tradition of langar at the Golden Temple began in 1577 and has been going on ever since. Every day, free meals are served to thousands of people, regardless of caste, gender, economic or religious background.
The kitchen is unique in that all food is prepared by volunteers and served in a vegetarian format.
Serving langar at the Golden Temple is considered a form of service to humanity and a way to attain spiritual enlightenment. In addition to providing nutritious food to the needy, langar is also about creating community and breaking down barriers between different social classes.
All those who partake in langar are seen as equals, which is a beautiful example of Sikhism’s core belief in the oneness of all people.
What is the meaning of community kitchen?
A community kitchen is a communal gathering space where people of all backgrounds come together to cook and share meals. These spaces are often open to the public and promote inclusivity, diversity, and community building.
It is a space where everyone is welcome to participate in preparing and eating a meal, while appreciating the diversity of different cultures, cuisines and people. By coming together to cook and share meals, community kitchens provide an opportunity to build relationships and learn new cooking skills, while giving people a sense of belonging and connecting with their community.
Furthermore, community kitchens are a great way to reduce food waste and make nutritious meals accessible to people in need.
What is community kitchen scheme Upsc?
The Community kitchen scheme Upsc is an initiative by the Indian government to provide free food to the people who are in need. It is a part of the National Food Security Act, 2013. Under the scheme, the government has set up permanent community kitchens in more than 7000 locations across India.
These kitchens provide subsidized meals to the needy, vulnerable and impoverished sections of the society. The meals are prepared with locally available resources and are supervised by local volunteers and cooks.
The main objective of this scheme is to eradicate hunger and malnutrition and ensure that no one goes to bed hungry. The government has also taken various initiatives to promote nutrition among children and the elderly by providing nutritionally balanced meals at subsidized rates.
This is beneficial for the health of both the adults and children and helps to reduce malnutrition-related costs. The Community kitchen scheme uplifts the living standards of the poor, providing them with access to safe, wholesome and nutritious food.
What food is served in langar?
Langar is the name for a free meal service, typically served in Sikh gurdwaras (Sikh temple), where food is served to all people regardless of faith, religion, gender, socio-economic background and/or caste.
Langar is usually prepared in large communal kitchens and served as a vegetarian meal of simple yet nourishing dishes, which is often served with chapatis (flatbread) or rotis (flatbreads).
The typical meal served in langar is often a combination of traditional Indian dishes such as dal (lentil soup), sabzi (stir-fried vegetables), chawal (rice), kadhi (curd-based dish) and raita (yogurt-based dish) along with other items such as pickles, salads, and papadum.
Desserts, such as gulab jamun (fried milk balls soaked in syrup) and other sweets, may also be served.
The food served in langar is sacred, representing hundreds of years of religious tradition. All meals are prepared using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, and are served with love and respect for those who have come to partake in the meal.
What is traditional Sikh food?
Traditional Sikh food is a reflection of the agricultural and historical influences of India’s Punjab region. Indian spices, dairy products, and wheat are the staple ingredients that are used to create the delicious curries and breads of Sikh cuisine.
With its roots in the Punjab region of India, Sikh cuisine relies heavily on the flavorful spices like cumin, turmeric, and garam masala. Dairy products such as yogurt, clarified butter (ghee), and cream add richness and depth to many dishes.
Rice is often served with traditional dishes and is a staple food eaten regularly by Sikhs. A variety of breads are also served, such as roti (flatbread made from atta flour), chapati (flatbread with wheat flour or maize flour), parantha (flaky wheat flatbread) and naan (leavened tandoor – baked bread).
For protein, curries are usually made with lamb, chicken, seafood, or vegetables. Dal is a lentil-based dish that is often cooked with onions and spices, and served with rice or flatbread. Punjabi food is regarded for its flavors and aromas as well as its use of dairy products.
Traditional desserts include jalebi (deep-fried, orange-colored syrup-soaked fritters), gulab jamun (deep-fried dough balls in syrup) and kheer (rice cooked in milk with a hint of saffron).