Gurupurab

Practice

Early morning religious processions called Prabhat Pheris begin three weeks before the Gurpurabs. They go around localities singing shabads (hymns) and receiving offerings of food from devotees. The celebrations start with the three-day akhand path, in which the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book of the Sikhs) is read continuously from beginning to end without a break. Conclusion of the reading coincides with the day of the festival.

The Granth Sahib is also carried in procession on a float decorated with flowers throughout the village or city. Five armed guards, who represent the Panch Pyares, head the procession carrying Nishan Sahibs (the Sikh flag). Local bands play religious music and marching schoolchildren form a special part of the procession. Free sweets and langar or community lunches are also offered to everyone irrespective of religious faith.

Local volunteers serve it with a spirit of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion). Sikhs visit gurdwaras (Sikh temples) where special programmes are arranged and kirtans (religious songs) sung. Houses and gurudwaras are lit up to add to the festivities. On the martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev, kachi lassi (sweetened milk) is offered to the thirsty passers-by to commemorate the death of the Guru who was burnt to death during the hot months of May and June.

Time:
April 18 Guru Angad
April 18 Guru Teg Bahadur
May 02 Guru Arjan Dev May 23 Guru Amar Das July 05 Guru Har Govind July 23 Guru Har Kishan October 09 Guru Ramdas November 23 Guru Nanak Dev
January 05 Guru Govind Singh
January 31 Guru Har Rai

Place: Punjab, Delhi and other areas where Sikhs have settled