Mumbai: Gurdwaras to avoid langar on Gurupurab

MUMBAI: Gurupurab, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh faith, will be limited in celebration on Monday. Despite the fact that religious places have been allowed to reopen after the Covid-19 lockdown, community leaders have called upon people to pray at home.
"By its very nature, the langar or community meal draws thousands of people, who will have to remove their masks as they eat in large groups.The kirtankars and granthis who sing hymns or read from the holy book Guru Granth Sahib cannot wear masks as they do so," said Andheri realtor Swaran Singh.
The Dadar gurdwara of Sri Guru Singh Sabha released a video urging people to pray at home. Senior vice president Kulwant Singh said, "We usually receive 40,000-50,000 people this day with 7,000 inside the pandal at a time. This year, we curtailed langar and will distribute 'karanh prasad' to the few visitors who arrive."
Dhan Pothohar Gurdwara in Santacruz has cancelled its langar at Sports Ground. "The sangat (community) can come for darshan from 4am to 10pm, and leave quickly. Most people are advised to stay at home and take darshan on YouTube," said joint secretary Bhupinder Singh Bunty.
"We have curtailed our prabhat pheri and langar but will celebrate the Guru's 551st birthday by decorating the premises and inviting kirtankars to perform," said Nirmal Bhambhani, managing trustee of Gursangat Darbar, Sion Koliwada.
The birth of Guru Nanak occurred on Kartik Purnima which is also celebrated as Dev Diwali.