Gurpurbs
Gurpurbs are festivals which celebrate the lives of the GuruCan mean God, teacher or guide. Usually means a teacher of religion. In Sikhism, it also refers to the ten human messengers of God.. A major festival is the celebration of Guru NanakGuru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus, who lived from 1469 to 1539. birthday in late autumn. Gurpurbs may mark the birthdays, the date when they became Guru (in the case of the Guru Granth SahibThe Guru Granth Sahib is the most important Sikh holy book. It is a collection of songs, prayers and hymns from the Sikh Gurus and other holy men, as well as teachings from other faiths. It is treated as a living Guru.) and the dates of the death of the Gurus.
The Gurpurbs are celebrated by reading the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, continuously from beginning to end. This is done by a team of Sikh men and women, each reading for two to three hours over 48 hours. It begins two days before and ends early on the morning of the Gurpurb. This reading is called an akhand path.
On the day of the Gurpurb, or not long after, there may be a street procession known as a Nagar Kirtan. This is led by five people representing the original Panj PyareThe five beloved ones. Those first initiated into the Khalsa; those who perform the rite today., who form an escort for the Guru Granth Sahib which is carried in honour on a decorated vehicle, followed by singers, musicians and even teams of people demonstrating the martial art of swordsmanship (gatka and shastar vidya).
gurdwaraSikh place of worship. Literally, the 'doorway to the Guru'. are decorated with flowers, flags and lights. Sikhs will join together to sing, pray and eat together.
On the morning of the anniversary, celebrations begin early, at around 4 or 5 am, with hymns sung from the Guru Granth Sahib, poems recited in praise of the Gurus and lectures on Sikhism.
As is the case every day, Karah Prasad (a cooked mixture of sugar, water, wheatflour and ghee) is blessed and served and the congregation shares a meal in the langarThe kitchen and place where food is eaten in a Sikh Gurdwara. Often volunteers provide and cook food that is served to all as an act of sewa (charity)..