Gurupurab also known as ‘ Guru Nanak Jayanti ‘, it is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak who founded the Sikh faith. The birthday of Guru Nanak usually comes in the month of October/November, but the date varies from year to year according to the lunar Indian Calendar.
The birthday celebrations last three days. Generally two days before the birthday, Akhand Path or the continuous reading of Granth Saheb, the sacred book of the Sikhs is performed in the Gurdwaras.The sacred scripture is read non-stop from beginning to end. The Akhand Path culminates on the day of the Guru Purab and the holy book is then taken out in a procession. The procession is led by the Panj Piaré and the Palki (Palanquin) of Guru Granth Sahib and followed by teams of singers singing hymns, brass bands playing different tunes, ‘Gatka’ (martial art) teams show their swordsmanship, and processionists singing the chorus. The procession passes through the main roads and streets of the town which are covered with buntings and decorated gates and the leaders inform the people of the message of Guru Nanak.
At the head of the procession is the Nishan Saheb or the Sikh flag. On the anniversary day, the programme begins early in the morning at about 4 or 5 am with the singing of Asa-di-Var (morning hymns) and hymns from the Sikh scriptures followed by Katha (exposition of the scripture) and lectures and recitation of poems in praise of the Guru. Following that is the Langar or special community lunch, which is arranged at the Gurudwaras by volunteers. The idea behind the free communal lunch is that people should be offered food in the spirit of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion).
