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Kar seva


Kar seva is one of the main teachings of Sikhism which means selfless service of others. A tradition set fourth with the clear understanding that there is God within all of us; thus by serving humanity you are serving Gods creation. Kar Seva is also performed further by offering service for a religious cause, often for constructing a place of worship serving the One Creator. A volunteer for kar seva is called a kar sevak. Historically, kar seva is a Sikh tradition. However, in recent times, the Hindu organisation Vishva Hindu Parishad has also used it in its Ayodhya campaign.

Kar Seva is derived from Sanskrit words kar, meaning hands or work, and seva, meaning service. In Punjabi, the word seva also means "to worship, to adore, to pay homage through the act of love." In the writings of Sikh gurus, these two meanings of seva (service and worship) have been merged. Seva is expected to be a labour of love performed without desire and intention, and with humility.Kar seva is often translated as "voluntary labour."

According to tradition, Guru Hargobind had the Akal Takht (the seat of God) at the Golden Temple built through kar seva. When the Mughal emperor Jahangir visited the site, he offered help for the construction. The Guru is said to have politely refused the offer stating that the Akal Takht should be constructed by the followers of the faith through their own hands.

Since it involves voluntary work by the community, kar seva is considered the most respected method for constructing Sikh gurdwaras.

On 4 June 1984, the Golden Temple faced a military action by the Indian government for clearing it of the militant separatists lodged there. The temple was damaged during the action, in particular the Akal Takht. The Government decided to repair the damaged Akal Takht under the leadership of the Home Minister Buta Singh. The reconstruction was labelled kar seva and ostensibly organised by the nihang leader Jathedar Baba Santa Singhji Budahdal, but carried out by the Public Works Department and its contractors. The High Priests of the Golden Temple rejected the effort and excommunicated Santa Singh. The reconstruction was dubbed sarkar seva (government service). When the rebuilt temple was handed over to the High Priests, they decided to pull it down and rebuild it. Subsequently, it was demolished on 26 January 1986 and rebuilt through traditional kar seva.


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