Karah Parshad
Encyclopedia
In Sikhism
, Karah Parshad is a type of Semolina halva
made with equal portions of semolina, butter, and sugar. It is offered to all visitors to the Darbar Sahib
in a Gurdwara
. It is regarded as food blessed by the Guru and should not be refused. As it has a very high sugar and oil content, visitors may ask the Sewadar
for a small portion. As a sign of humility and respect, visitors accept the Karah Parshad sitting, with hands raised and cupped. The offering and receiving of this food is a vital part of hospitality
protocols. It has the same amount of semolina, butter and sugar, to emphasise the equality of men and women. The Sewadar serves it out of the same bowl to everyone in equal portions. The Karah Parshad is a food which if not taken may make some Sikhs feel insulted. Karah Parshad is also taken at the initiation ceremony of Amrit Sanskar
at the very end where it is shared out equally among all.
The Gurdwara is the place where Sikhs go to worship. Gurdwaras can be any size or shape, but one thing they always have is a kitchen, or langar. People can come there for food, and you can even rest there for the night. Every day a meal is prepared here for as many people who want to eat, you can eat free here.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
, Karah Parshad is a type of Semolina halva
Halva
Halva refers to many types of dense, sweet confections, served across the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, North Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Balkans, Eastern Europe, Malta and the Jewish world.The term halva ,...
made with equal portions of semolina, butter, and sugar. It is offered to all visitors to the Darbar Sahib
Darbar Sahib
Darbar Sahib refers to the main hall within a Sikh gurdwara. This hall is where the holy text, current and perpetual Guru of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a takhat or throne in a prominent central position in the hall....
in a Gurdwara
Gurdwara
A Gurdwara , meaning the Gateway to the Guru, is the place of worship for Sikhs, the followers of Sikhism. A Gurdwara can be identified from a distance by tall flagpoles bearing the Nishan Sahib ....
. It is regarded as food blessed by the Guru and should not be refused. As it has a very high sugar and oil content, visitors may ask the Sewadar
Sewadar
Sewadar is a Punjabi word for a volunteer who offers his/her services to a Gurdwara or to the Sikh community free of charge. It is a term used to refer to a person who performs sewa without looking for any physical or spiritual reward or any payment of any kind...
for a small portion. As a sign of humility and respect, visitors accept the Karah Parshad sitting, with hands raised and cupped. The offering and receiving of this food is a vital part of hospitality
Hospitality
Hospitality is the relationship between guest and host, or the act or practice of being hospitable. Specifically, this includes the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers, resorts, membership clubs, conventions, attractions, special events, and other services for travelers...
protocols. It has the same amount of semolina, butter and sugar, to emphasise the equality of men and women. The Sewadar serves it out of the same bowl to everyone in equal portions. The Karah Parshad is a food which if not taken may make some Sikhs feel insulted. Karah Parshad is also taken at the initiation ceremony of Amrit Sanskar
Amrit Sanskar
Amrit Sanchar or the Amrit ceremony is the Sikh ceremony of initiation or baptism. This practice has been in existence since the times of Guru Nanak Dev . During that time-period, this ceremony was known as Charan Amrit or Charan Pahul or the Pag Pahul, the words Charan and Pag both signifying the...
at the very end where it is shared out equally among all.
The Gurdwara is the place where Sikhs go to worship. Gurdwaras can be any size or shape, but one thing they always have is a kitchen, or langar. People can come there for food, and you can even rest there for the night. Every day a meal is prepared here for as many people who want to eat, you can eat free here.