Introduction

Most of the Sikh festivals are celebrated in the form of Gurupurabs. They are celebrated in the memory of the Sikh Gurus and their teachings. On the occasion of Gurupurab, the Sikhs held procession through the streets of the city or town for three weeks before the marked Purab. The procession is accompanied by the devotees singing hymns. They are offered sweets and other offerings by the locals in at every nook and corner of the city. The day of Gurupurabs marks the end of Prabhat Pheris; the procession.

Kinds of Gurupurab

Guru Nanak Jayanti is observed on Kartik (October/November) also called Prakash Utsav, or the festival of light. Guru Gobind Singh was born on December 2, 1666. The martyrdom day of the fifth Guru, Arjan Dev, falls in May/June, while that of the ninth guru, Tegh Bahadur is observed in the month of November every year. The other six Gurupurabs are associated with the Birthdays of Guru Angad Dev (March 31) Guru Ram Das (September 29) Guru Har Gobind (June 19) Guru Har Rai (January 16) and Guru Har Kishan (July 7).

Celebration

Three days prior to the Gurupurab, Akhand Path of the Guru Granth Sahib is performed continuously for forty eight hours. The Holy Scripture is recited from the begging to the end without any break at the Gurudwaras. The reading ends on the day of Gurupurab. The holy Book is decorated with flower and then carried in a procession throughout the city or town.

On this auspicious day an open community lunch – Langar is held for the hungry and destitute people. Special programs are held to commemorate this occasion. The night of the Gurupurab is celebrated with lights in the homes as well as Gurudwaras.