Fifth Sikh Guru’s legacy of langar & agriculture

Long before the modern concepts of community kitchens and food sustainability emerged, Guru Arjan Dev (1563-1606), the fifth Sikh Guru, had already laid the foundation of a revolutionary idea.

After establishing ‘Guru ka langar’ (the free community kitchen) at the sacred Darbar Sahib in Amritsar, Guru Arjan Dev understood the need for a consistent supply of food to support this growing practice. To fulfil this vision, he chose fertile land along the route to Lahore, specifically at the village of Wadali, now known as Guru Ki Wadali. The Guru began cultivating this land himself, growing essential crops like wheat, pulses, and vegetables, ensuring self-sufficiency for the langar kitchens and promoting the Sikh ideals of honest labour and collective welfare.

During his stay at Wadali from 1594 to 1597, Guru Arjan Dev also had some wells, constructed to support agricultural activities in the area. One massive well, later named Chheharta, literally meaning ‘Chhe-harta’, well equipped with six Persian wheels, was an engineering marvel of the time. Owing to its vast circumference and plentiful water supply, six Persian water wheels could operate simultaneously to draw water. Later during the Khalsa Raj era, Maharaja Ranjit Singh constructed a gurdwara near the well. Though the original well has been covered over time, water from it is still pumped to feed the gurdwara’s main tank, preserving its historical significance.

Today, Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib stands as a prominent spiritual and cultural landmark on the outskirts of Amritsar. Set within a six-acre walled compound, the Gurdwara attracts large congregations every month, especially on the Panchami (fifth day of moon’s lunar phase). The most significant gathering takes place during the month of Magh (January-February) when devotees celebrate the Basant Panchami festival, marking the arrival of spring and spiritual renewal with vibrant enthusiasm.

Managed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) through a local committee, Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib is part of a network of historical Sikh shrines in the Wadali Guru region. These sites continue to uphold the teachings and legacy of Guru Arjan Dev, connecting past traditions with present-day devotion and community service. However, a large number of residential colonies have been developed in the fields of the Guru.

Amritsar