Gurpurabs commemorate the birth, death and canonisation of the Sikh gurus. Prabhat Pheris or early morning religious processions begin three weeks before the day of celebration. All those who take part in the procession go to different localities singing shabads (hymns) and collecting offerings of food from devotees.
There is a three-day akhand path, in which the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book of the Sikhs) is read continuously from beginning to end without a break. This is an important part of the celebration. The day the path is concluded the Gurupurab is celebrated. The Granth Sahib is carried in procession on a float decorated with flowers throughout the village or city on that day. Panch Pyares, or five armed guards lead the procession carrying Nishan Sahibs whsich is the Sikh flag. Local bands play religious music and marching schoolchildren form a special part of the procession.
One unique thing about the festival is that free sweets and langar (community lunches) are offered to everyone irrespective of religious faith. Volunteers serve it with a spirit of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion) and it is considered as a great service. Sikhs, on this days visit gurdwaras (Sikh temples) where special programmes are arranged and kirtans (religious songs) are sung.
On the martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev, kachi lassi (sweetened milk) is offered to the thirsty passers-by to commemorate the death of the Guru who was burnt to death during the hot months of May and June.

Where: Punjab, Delhi and other areas where Sikhs have settled