Patna: Women devotees are not lagging behind when it comes to preparing food for Sikh pilgrims at different langars (free community meals) in Patna City. They have come from various parts of the country to work as helpers at the concluding ceremony of Prakash Utsav, called Shukrana. Most of them have been working together with the men as they serve pilgrims.

Hundreds of women can be spotted preparing food at the temporary kitchen set up in the tent cities and guest houses that have come up to accommodate the Sikh pilgrims. They have come with their families. While the men work as sevaks, the women work in the kitchen, feeding thousands of devotees every day.

Gurmeet Kaur, who has come from Haryana to attend the Prakash Utsav, said: "For me, preparing food at the langar is like serving humanity. It is a service to humankind," said Gurmeet, 58.

Another woman devotee from Punjab's Amritsar, Majinder Kaur, was visibly elated over rendering free service at the langar. "I have keen interest in preparing food. And it is a privilege for me to cook for devotees at the langar."

Sixty-year-old Manjeet Kaur, who too has come down from Amritsar and is cooking at Guru Bal Leela langar, said: "I have been assigned to prepare vegetables for the pilgrims."

Other woman devotees Harprit Kaur, Gurprit Kaur, Harjeet Kaur, Jasvinder Kaur and Manprit Kaur have been toiling day and night and serving meal to the Sikh pilgrims at langars located at Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib gurdwara, Guru Bal Leela Harmandir Gali, Kangan Ghat and Bypass tent houses langar.

Sardar Baldev Singh, in-charge of the langar at Guru Bal Leela ground, said he has been looking after preparation of food since December 14. "I will continue to do so till January 2. I am enjoying my work here, Baldev told The Telegraph on Saturday.