Possibility of Sustainable Peace and Harmony Through Religious Places of Worship: The Case of Sikh Gurdwaras and Guru Ka Langar

Abstract

Guru ka langar and Gurdwara represent the central institutions of Sikhism. These institutions are deeply connected to the mechanisms of community welfare and social integration. This article has explored how Gurdwaras and Guru ka langar work as a system of engaging sects and faiths. This article also explores how Guru Ka Langar served as a social reformer in 15th-century India, a time when different religions and castes were at odds. Gurdwaras and Guru ka langar have a practical impact on social norms, which can lead people towards a sense of community and sensibility. Through this article, it can also be identified how a religion, through its religious place of worship, could contribute to a whole society and operationalize religious activism for peace building. In this article, a historical background has been provided to understand the formation of Sikh theology by Guru Nanak. Based on the historical and contemporary activism of the Gurdwaras and Guru ka langar, it has been explored that these two systems of Sikhism can effectively serve as a platform for sustainable peace, community development, and inclusive governance.

Social Science Review, Vol. 42(1), June 2025, pp. 247-259