Karah parshad (ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ) is the sacred sweet offered in gurdwaras: a warm whole-wheat halwa made from equal parts atta (wheat flour), ghee and sugar, cooked in an iron karahi. Distributed to every visitor after ardas and accepted with cupped hands, it is received as a blessing and shared in equal portions as a symbol that all people are equal.
How it's used
- 1ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰੇ ਜਾ ਕੇ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ ਛਕਿਆAfter ardas at the gurdwara, I received karah parshad.
- 2ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ ਦੋਵੇਂ ਹੱਥ ਜੋੜ ਕੇ, ਸਿਰ ਢੱਕ ਕੇ ਲੈਣਾ ਚਾਹੀਦਾ ਹੈKarah parshad should be accepted with folded hands and a covered head. Etiquette
- 3ਵਿਆਹ 'ਤੇ ਸੰਗਤ ਨੂੰ ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ ਵਰਤਾਇਆ ਗਿਆKarah parshad was distributed to the congregation at the wedding.
Show 1 more example
- 4ਡੇਗ ਦੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲਾ ਹਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਾਬਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈThe sewadar serving the deg gives equal parshad to everyone.
ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ ਗੁਰਦੁਆਰੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਰਤਾਇਆ ਜਾਣ ਵਾਲਾ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਭੋਗ ਹੈ ਇਹ ਆਟੇ, ਘਿਓ ਅਤੇ ਖੰਡ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਾਬਰ ਮਾਤਰਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੈ ਕੇ, ਦੁੱਗਣਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਪਾ ਕੇ ਲੋਹੇ ਦੀ ਕੜਾਹੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਕਾਇਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਰਦਾਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਸੰਗਤ ਨੂੰ ਬੈਠ ਕੇ, ਦੋਵੇਂ ਹੱਥ ਜੋੜ ਕੇ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ ਛਕਾਇਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਸੇਵਾਦਾਰ ਇੱਕੋ ਭਾਂਡੇ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਹਰ ਕਿਸੇ ਨੂੰ ਬਰਾਬਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈ, ਜੋ ਸਭ ਦੀ ਬਰਾਬਰੀ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਤੀਕ ਹੈ
Karah parshad (ਕੜਾਹ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦ, pronounced kuh-RAH pruh-SAAD) is the sacred sweet of the gurdwara: a warm, golden whole-wheat halwa made from equal parts atta (wheat flour), ghee and sugar, cooked in an iron karahi. It is distributed to every visitor after ardas, accepted with cupped hands as a blessing, and shared in equal portions as a living symbol that all people are equal.
What does karah parshad mean?
The name breaks into two words. Karah is the iron pan the sweet is cooked in, and parshad means sanctified food, a word that also carries the sense of grace. It is also called deg, literally the cooking pot. Karah parshad is the Sikh form of the prasada offering found across Indian religions.
How karah parshad is made
It is made of equal portions of whole-wheat flour, ghee and sugar, with double the quantity of water, stirred patiently into a smooth golden halwa. But the cooking is a sacred act in itself. The kitchen is kept clean, gurbani is recited through the whole preparation, and no one is allowed to interfere. The finished deg is carried above the head to the congregational hall, and during ardas a special plea is made for its blessing while an attendant stirs it with a small kirpan. Before the congregation is served, the first portion is offered to five amritdhari, initiated, Sikhs.
How karah parshad is received
Visitors receive it sitting down, with both hands raised and cupped, and the sewadar serves everyone from the same bowl in equal portions, Sikh or non-Sikh, without distinction. It is shared at the end of Amrit Sanchar, and also distributed at Naam Karan and Antam Sanskar ceremonies. Turning it down can be taken as disrespect, since receiving the parshad is part of the hospitality of the gurdwara. Family members carry a portion home for those who could not come, so no one misses the blessing.
Why is karah parshad sacred?
The equal measures of flour, ghee and sugar stand for the equality of all people, and the sewadar's equal servings make that equality something you can see and taste. Prepared with devotion, blessed in ardas and given freely to all, it is regarded as a gift from God.
What is the difference between karah parshad and deg?
There is none: deg is simply another name for karah parshad, from the word for the cooking pot it is made in. You will hear both names in gurdwaras.
Related words
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