sangat

Sangat is a Punjabi term that translates roughly as company, fellowship, or association. It is used across Punjabi-speaking communities and in related languages to denote a group gathered for a common purpose. Etymologically, it is related to the Sanskrit word sangha, indicating a collective or assembly.

In Sikhism, sangat refers specifically to the congregation of Sikhs who assemble in a gurdwara for prayer, kirtan (devotional singing), and the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib. The practice emphasizes collective worship, mutual support, and spiritual reflection. The concept is often linked to pangat, the practice of sitting together in langar (community meal) to reinforce equality among all participants. The sangat is regarded as a key channel for learning, devotion, and social harmony within the faith.

Outside of a religious context, sangat is used more generally to describe any gathering or association in Punjabi and related languages. It can refer to a group of friends, colleagues, a club, or a community assembled for a shared activity or interest. In literature and everyday speech, the term conveys social cohesion and communal involvement, rather than a formal institution.

In contemporary usage, sangat can denote both traditional and modern communities, including devotional groups, cultural societies, or online communities that emphasize a shared identity and purpose. The term reflects the social dimension of life in Punjabi-speaking cultures and its importance in fostering mutual support and belonging.