Sikh Festivals: Gurpurbs

Sikh Festivals: Gurpurbs

1. Gurpurb means a holy day in honour of the guru

   • It is celebration of the birth or death of one of the gurus

2. Celebrations

   • The celebrations are often held on the weekend which follows the actual date of the festival if this is more convenient.
   • Akhand Path
     • This is the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib from start to finish without stopping.
     • It takes about 48 hours
     • If being read before a gurpurb, it is arranged so that it ends on the morning of the festival.
     • Reading is done by local members of the Sikh community.
       • They take it in turns, reading no more than two hours at a time.
       • They bathe before going to the Gudwara and wash their hands right before they read.
     • While it is taking place, Sikhs make a special effort to go and listen and meditate.
     • Langar is served throughout so extra volnteers are needed for cooking, serving and cleaning.

3. The Birthday of Guru Nanak

   • Guru Nanak was born in 1469 CE
     • Sikh celebrate his birthday every year, in November
   • It is the most important gurpurb
   • Celebrations last three days
   • Processions take place in towns and cities
     • Led by 5 people who represent the panj piare
       • Dressed like them in yellow robes, a wide blue belt and yellow turban
       • Behind them is a decorated float which carries the Guru Granth Sahib
     • The people in the procession sing hymns written by the Guru
     • The people watching are given sweets or fruits and non-alcoholic drinks

4. The Death of Guru Tegh Bahadur

   • He was a Martyr (he died for what he believed in)
   • At the time of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the rulers of that part of Inda were persecuting Hindus and Sikhs.
     • Hindu leaders came to him for advice and spoke to the ruler on the Hindus' behalf. However he was arrested and taken to Delhi.
       • He was offered rewards if he changed his religion but he refused. He was forced to watch while 3 of his followers were tortured to death. However, even this didn't make him change his mind.
         • The rulers realised that they could not persuade him to change his mind and therefore had his head cut off.
   • Sikhs believe that his death teaches an important lesson,
   • The main gurpurb in Guru Tegh Bahadur's rememberance is held in Dehli, where he was executed
     • There are processions that end at a splendid Gurdwara, which was built over the place where he was beheadded
       • People then go and worship inside it