Karah Parshad

In Sikhism, Karah Parshad (Punjabi: ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ (Gurmukhi)), alternatively known as Deg or Degh (literally meaning "cooking pot"),^[1] is a type of whole wheat flour halva made with equal portions of whole-wheat flour, clarified butter, and sugar and double quantity of water.^[2] It is offered to all visitors to the Darbar Sahib in a Gurdwara.^[3] It is regarded as a treat for attendees of gurmat seminars. As a sign of humanity and respect, visitors accept the Prashad 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 whole-wheat flour, clarified butter and sugar, to emphasize the equality of men and women. The Sewadar serves it out of the same bowl to everyone in equal portions.^[4] The Karah prasad is a sacred food; if it is not accepted, it may be interpreted by some Sikhs as an insult. Prashad is also taken at the initiation ceremony of Amrit Sanchar at the very end where it is shared out equally among all.^[5] It is a symbol showing that everyone is equal.^[1] The sacred food is also distributed during Naam Karan and Antam Sanskar ceremonies.^[6][7]

Karah Prashad
ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ

Type	Halva
Main ingredients	Whole-wheat flour, clarified butter, sugar
Media: Karah Prashad ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ

The Gurdwara is the place where Sikhs go to worship.^[8] Gurdwaras can be any size or shape, but one thing they always have is a kitchen, or langar. People can go there for food, and can even rest there for the night. Every day a meal is prepared here for as many people who want to eat and its free of charge.

According to W.H. McLeod, the practices surrounding karah prasad were presumably taken from the Hindu custom of offering prasad in temples.^[9]

See also

• Bhog
• Deg Tegh Fateh

References

1. Kalsi, Sewa Singh (2005). Sikhism. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers. pp. 62–63. ISBN 978-1-4381-0647-2. OCLC 613205982. Karah-Parshad (Sanctified Food): Karah-parshad is the most important food and is distributed to members of the sangat at the culmination of the service. It is regarded as a gift from God and is always received in cupped hands. The term karah-parshad is composed of two words: karah, meaning an iron pan, and parshad, denoting food offered to a deity (hence, sanctified food cooked in an iron pan). The word parshad also means "grace," signifying the sacredness of the food. Another word applied to karah-parshad is deg (literally, a cooking pot). Preparation of the karah-parshad is regarded as a sacred ritual. The kitchen must be clean. Usually, it is cooked by a granthi, who takes a bath before beginning the preparations. He or she recites gurbani (compositions from the Adi Granth) during the entire operation, and no one is allowed to interfere during preparation of the karah-parshad. Once the karah-parshad is ready, it is carried above the head to the congregational hall and placed near the Adi Granth. During recital of the ardas, a special plea is made for God's blessing of karah-parshad. At that moment, an attendant stirs the karah-parshad with a small sword, signifying fulfillment of the plea. Before the karah-parshad is distributed to members of the congregation it is ritually offered to five amritdhari (initiated) Sikhs, symbolizing the authority of the guru. No Sikh will leave a gurdwara without receiving a portion of karah-parshad for those members of the family who are not able to visit the gurdwara, either because of illness or because they are engaged in domestic duties. Karah-parshad is made of equal portions of whole-meal flour, sugar, and ghee (clarified butter). Many Sikhs make offerings of flour, sugar, and butter to the gurdwara for the karah-parshad, whereas some families donate cash, particularly for deg/karah-parshad.
2. "Karah Prashad". Religions in Minnesota. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
3. Mandair, Arvind-pal Singh (2013). Sikhism : a guide for the perplexed. London. p. 119. ISBN 978-1-4411-9341-4. OCLC 829233412.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
4. "What Is Prashad in Sikhism?". Learn Religions. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-02.
5. Singh, Gurbaksh (2020). Sikh Faith. Virsa Publications. pp. 124–126. ISBN 9789387152717.
6. Randall, Ronne (2010). Birth (1st ed.). New York: Rosen Central. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-1-4358-5349-2. OCLC 288375481.
7. Sikh Code of Conduct: A guide to the Sikh way of life and ceremonies. Harjinder Singh, Sukha Singh, and Jaskeerth Singh (6th ed.). Akaal Publishers. December 2022. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-9996052-4-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
8. "Gurdwaras in Sikhism". Sikhs.Org. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
9. Fenech, Louis E.; McLeod, W. H. (2014-06-11). Historical Dictionary of Sikhism. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 173. ISBN 978-1-4422-3601-1.