India celebrates birth of Guru Nanak: 01-11-2007
This November, the streets of India will be illuminated with fireworks and will resonate with the sound of religious readings and songs as the Parkash Divas (or birthday) of the founding father of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, is celebrated.
One of the most important dates on the Sikh calendar, the holy temple in
Amritsar will see the most celebration on this day, with three weeks of events preceding.
Before the auspicious date itself, early morning processions called Prabhat Peris begin, led by the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones), with participants singing hymns and chanting under the banner of the Sikh flag, accompanied by brass bands and drummers.
The streets are decorated to welcome the marchers, who are offered confectionary and tea by the townspeople.
Although martial arts were introduced long after the birth of Guru Nanak over 500 years ago Gatka teams join the parade to showcase their swordmanship.
Two days before the birthday, the Akhand Path is performed in the flower-strewn Gudwaras (where Sikhs go to pray). This consists of a forty-eight-hour non-stop reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs.
Then early on the morning of Guru Nanak's birthday, Asa-di-Var (morning hymns) are sung followed by Katha (lectures on Sikhism). When that is over, Karah Parasaad is served, which is a sweet that has been blessed, and the community shares a free community lunch in the spirit of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion).
After the ceremonial side of things has been completed, fireworks are lit and mateyia (Indian sweets) are given out to the children.
While the celebrations are observed all over India, and wherever Sikhs commune, festivities are especially compelling in Punjab and Haryana, where singing usually carries in long into the night.