A Gurdwara in Punjab where Emperor Akbar ate at the langar with common men

There are many Gurdwaras in Punjab, but nothing like the Golden Temple in Amritsar. While, each Gurdwara in Punjab tells a story, there are a few that have a special significance. One such place in Goindwal Sahib aka Tarn Taran Sahib located in Taran Taran district in the Majha region of Punjab. The Gurdwara is situated on the banks of the river Beas.

Many centuries ago, Guru Amar Das (the third Guru of the Sikhs) lived in Goindwal for 33 years where he set up a new site for spreading the teachings of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. At the Gurdwara, a Baoli (stepwell), having 84 steps was also made, that is believed to be a wish-fulfilling thing by the Sikhs.
When Emperor Akbar was made to eat with the common men
A popular legend has it that in 1569, Emperor Akbar, being an admirer of Sikh religion, visited Punjab to meet Guru Amar Das while on his way to Lahore from Delhi. The Mughal king was accompanied by the Raja of Haripur and both of them were cordially received by Guru Amar Das and his followers. Akbar was very much keen on witnessing how the langar was run, and was pleased to know that the kitchen served food to all people irrespective of caste and class.


Complying with Guru’s order that anyone visiting him should not leave without eating the meal, Akbar and the Raja of Haripur gladly sat in rows called Pangat among the common men in Guru’s langar. While, sitting as equals with ordinary men, the two royals were served humble meals.

Akbar makes a gift of Amritsar
Akbar not only loved the food but also offered a piece of land for running the langar. However, Guru Amar Das politely declined the offer saying the Guru likes to work hard and share their earnings by offering it to the langar for others’ welfare. A langar should, therefore, not be run on a royal grant.

Akbar accepted the Guru’s point of view, and gave the land to Bibi Bhani, the daughter of Guru Amar Das, as a wedding gift. On the direction of Guru Amar Das, his son-in-law Guru Ram Das founded the city of Amritsar upon the land gifted by Akbar.

Today, travellers, devotees of the Sikh Gurus, and people from other classes are served food to their satisfaction at this Gurdwara. The food that is leftover is given away to the cattle and birds – nothing goes to waste.