The Establishment of Langar by Mata Khivi

Bhai Lehna became the disciple of Guru Nanak as a young man. He had a wife and two young children when he left the worship of goddess Durga to follow the newly founded faith of Sikhism. Khivi had become the mother of four when Nanak Dev later entrusted the care of the budding Sikh religion to her husband Lehna, who had became known as Guru Angad. Mata Khivi took charge of organizing langar, the community free kitchen. She made certain fresh food would always be available, and personally served meals to the Guru’s followers.

In her 45th year of life, when Amar Das became the third Guru, Khivi took an active role in helping to permanently establish the Guru's free kitchen, and the tradition of langar, which today coexists with every gurdwara.

Mata Khivi continued her langar activities with the fourth guru, Raam Das. She lived to the age of 75, continually serving the Sikh community until the reign of fifth guru, Arjun Dev. Her exemplary service set a standard which is carried on in present times by many outstanding Sikh men and women.

Photo © [S Khalsa]
A Devout Young Girl Serves Langar