AMRITSAR: In an impressive new mission undertaken by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, visitors of the Golden Temple in Amritsar will be served healthy, fresh, organic food at the community kitchen. The management committee has decided to adopt organic farming and grow its own grains, fruits, and vegetables, without the use of chemicals.
SGPC aims to inspire farmers to take up chemical free farming and trim the use of chemical products. Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited helped the committee test its soil and suggest options for organic farming. The experts direct them about replacing pesticides and using organic fertilisers.The use of neem, lassi, and cow urine has been suggested amongst others. Organic vegetables and fruits are now grown in the 40 acres of land at Gurdwara Gurusar Satlani Sahib and Patiala. The first phase of the experimental model saw carrots, spinach, cabbages, and fenugreek grow successfully. SGPC officials said about 10 quintals of organic produce are sent to the Gurdwara every other day.
The community kitchen or Langar, as it's called, at the holy Golden Temple, is the world's biggest free kitchen where people of all castes, religion, or background are served food without discrimination. Manned by 450 people and several volunteers, it serves 200,000 rotis, 1200 kg rice and 1300 kg dal every day. After the success of the mission at the Golden Temple, it would be copied in other gurdwaras in the country.
