I believe that university life is all about experiencing new cultural customs for the first time, and students had that opportunity when the Leicester University Sikh Society organised the first ever Langar on campus. Free kitchen | | Langar at Leicester University 2007 |
The Langar or "free kitchen" is a key feature in Sikh life where people can sit and eat together on the floor regardless of issues like religion, gender and status. Whilst preparing and serving the vegetarian food, Sikhs can practice the principles of equality, which is a key element in their teaching. This Langar took place in the Students' Union's Queen's Hall and by the time that I arrived at the event, the kitchen was in full swing. The Sikhs were very friendly and showed no obvious signs of tiredness, even though they had been preparing the food at the local temple since 06:00 that morning. A series of random yet friendly guides helped me through the preparation process for Langar. I was given a raffle ticket in exchange for my shoes. I was helped to wash my hands, and I gained a bright orange bandanna-styled head cover. I suddenly felt very self-consciousness, due to my hatred of wearing head gear, but I trooped into the kitchen to gather a tray of tasteful food including a chick pea curry, yoghurt and a large dollop of rice pudding. No frills | | Langar at Leicester University 2007 |
I desperately tried to find a comfortable position on the wooden-panelled floor, but I gradually became more relaxed. This was eating at its most basic form, but it was refreshing. No fripperies, no pretentious ingredients, no pointless dressings, but simple food eaten in a no nonsense way. I had a particularly enlightened chat with the former president of Leicester University Sikh society. I learnt more about Sikhism in our 40-minute conversation then I would have achieved from reading a 'Let's learn Sikhism' guide. We discussed a whole range of issues including equality, status, Sikh gurus, the Golden Temple, and why rice pudding is a popular Sikh dish. EnlighteningI came out of the Queen's Hall with a sore back but an enhanced mind. The University of Birmingham had set up the first campus based Langar in 2005, and Leicester University was the second institution to organise a similar event. Leicester hope to organise a similar event in 2008 and the Sikh Society should be assured that a Langar provides a valuable insight for non-Sikhs about this key world religion. | 
