BHANDAARAS AND LANGARS : SERVICE TO HUMANITY

                                           

BHANDAARAS AND LANGARS  : SERVICE TO HUMANITY 

Today on  Mahashivratri , it looks nice to  see Bhandaara organised by people in all localities of Jammu city. The concept of 'Bhandara' in Hinduism is a beautiful tradition of community feasting, rooted deeply in spiritual generosity. It's much more than just a meal; it's an act of 'Anna Daan' (food donation), considered one of the highest forms of charity in Hindu scriptures like the Dharma Shastras. This practice is believed to purify karma and attract divine blessings.It is the concept of NAR SEVA NARAYAN SEVA put on ground

Often organised after religious rituals, festivals, or auspicious events, a Bhandara involves offering consecrated vegetarian food, known as 'Prasad', to devotees, pilgrims, and those in need. It fosters unity and harmony, as everyone, regardless of caste, creed, or social status, partakes together, reinforcing equality and brotherhood. The selfless service ('Seva') involved in cooking and serving these meals is a testament to compassion and shared humanity. 

Paralleling this, the Sikh tradition has its own profound practice of 'Langar'. Founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Langar is a free, communal kitchen concept found in every Gurdwara. Here, vegetarian meals are served to all visitors, day and night, without any discrimination based on religion, caste, gender, economic status, or age. The Langar is putting the great Shabd ' KAL TAARAN GURU NANAK AAYA CHAAR VARAN EK VARAN BANAAYA' on ground .

Both 'Bhandara' and 'Langar' powerfully embody the core principles of sharing, selfless service, and equality. They are living examples of faith translated into action, demonstrating how spiritual values like compassion and generosity can uplift humanity and foster profound community bonds through the simple yet powerful act of sharing food. 

( Avtar Mota)

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