Some years ago I watched a video documentary on YouTube that was made by a non-Sikh lady on how Karhah Prashaad is made at Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji. It was very disappointing to see that in the video documentary a non-Amritdhari with cut-hair helping to cook the Karhah Parshaad and then those who carry the Prashaad from the Kitchen were non-Amritdhari cut-haired individuals. Sikh Rehat Maryada was clearly being violated. It was disheartening that where the tradition of Langar being prepared and served by the Khalsa has been mostly lost in the Panth, now the tradition of the Karhah Prashaad being made and served by the Khalsa was lost in the most central shrine of the Sikhs.
ਰਹਿਤ ਬਿਨਾ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ ਵਰਤਾਵਹਿ |…ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਸਿੰਘ ਜਮ ਕਰੈ ਖੁਆਰ |੧੦|
“A person who doesn’t maintain Rehat distributes Prashaad… Guru Gobind Singh Ji says that that person will be disgraced when death comes.”
(Thankhahnama: Bhai Nand Lal Ji, p. 58
During last month's visit to Panjab, I decided to find out where and how the Karhah Prashaad is made at Sri Harmandir Sahib. When I went to the Karhah Prashaad counter and asked the Sevadaar that I would like to see where Prashaad was made, the Sevadaar replied politely that we can come behind the counter through a door further down. When we entered the area, I was surprised that all the Sevadaars were so welcoming and friendly. There was a small room where the manager for the Karhah Prashaad sat. He, along with all of his colleagues were so friendly and polite. We were welcomed and given full respect. We explained that we wished to see where the Karhah Prashaad is made. A Sevadaar took us up some narrow steps that spiralled upwards. It would be difficult for an outsider to to venture upwards without being guided. Upstairs there was a room that had no windows and was hot. There were a number of large Sarbloh Karhaahees on large stoves.
There was one Singh preparing the Karhah Prashaad. In one Karhaahee there was a mixture of sugar and water being boiled, and in another the Karhah Prashaad was being made. The Sevadaar told us that he is Amrithari, and that only Amritdharis are allowed to cook Karhah Prashaad. He said unauthorised persons are not allowed in this area, however the cleaners are sometimes non-Amritdharis and sometimes guests may come up to view what is happening, however the cooking and transporting of the Karhah Prashaad is done by Amritdhari employees of the SGPC.
When we went back downstairs we went pass the area manager's office to say thanks. All the Sevadaars were again so polite and welcoming. I shared how I had seen a video documentary on Sri Harmandir Sahib and hence I wanted to see where and how Karhah Prashaad was cooked. The Sevadaars explained that the documentary must have shown Karhah being cooked in the Kitchen of Guru Ram Das Langar. He explained that they have Karhah or Halwa as a dessert, and in the cooking of Langar the rules are relaxed, even though in theory it should be only Amritdharis cooking and serving.
The Sevadaar shared that the Karhah Prashaad served in the early morning hours at Sri Darbar Sahib comes from the Dera of Baba Sham Singh. This Degh is made and served by Rehatvaan Singhs and is eaten by Bibekis and Sarblohis. The Degh offered within the inner sanctum of Sri Darbar Sahib, i.e. the Degh that is offered into your hands whilst sitting down in Sri Darbar Sahib, is made and served by Amritdhari employees of the SGPC. However, the manager shared that the Degh served outside at the entrance and exist of Sri Darbar Sahib near Darshani Deori, has Karhah Parshaad touched by non-Amritdharis. The reason for this is that anyone and everyone can get Prashaad from the counter, which is given in leaves or a steel plate. They take it up to the Prashaad counter near Darshani Deori to have Kirpan Bhet (tucked with a Kirpan). Half the Prashaad is put in a large serving vessel and the the rest the individual keeps. So all the Karhah Prashaad collected in the large serving vessel that is later distributed at the Darshani Deori by Sevadaars who standing and ready to distribute Prashaad, is not suitable for Bibeki Singhs.
ਭਾਦਣੀ, ਹੁਕਈ, ਕੁਰਹਿਤੀਏ ਪਾਸੋਂ ਕੜਾਹ (ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ) ਕਰਾਏ, ਸੋ ਤਨਖਾਹੀਆ |
“One who gets a shaven-head person, a smoker, or someone who has committed a Kurehat (cardinal prohibition) to give Prashaad, becomes liable for Thankhaah (religious disciplinary action).”
(Thankhahnama: Bhai Chaupa Singh Ji, p. 102)
I then asked about the "Pinni Prashaad" that is offered in packets. They explained that "Pinni" is just a name. It's not actually a "Pinni". The "Pinni Prashaad" is actually Karhah Prashaad mixture without water, which is packed by Amritdharis in a room next to the office we were sitting. I was told if you add hot water to the mixture in the packet, you would get Karhah Prashaad. The "Pinni Prashaad" was for those people who for whatever reason, e.g. health reason, cannot visit Sri Darbar Sahib, but wish to have Prashaad.
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