Sikhism - Festivals

1. Gurpurps are Sikh festivals associated with the lives of the gurus.

2. They are joyful occasions that are celebrated with great enthusiasm.

3. Sikhs celebrate Gurpurbs with a complete reading of the Guru Granth Sahib that takes forty-eight hours.

4. The reading is done by a team of readers, each reading for two to three hours.

5. Gurdwaras are decorated with flowers, lights and flags.

6. Sikhs dress in their best clothes and join together for special services.

7. Hymns are sung from the Guru Granth Sahib and poems are recited about the gurus.

8. Sometimes the Guru Granth Sahib will be carried in procession through the streets protected by five guards.

9. The guards represent the first five members of the Khalsa and they carry Nishan Sahibs, Sikh flags.

10. Food is important at this Sikh festival and free meals are served at the gurdwara.

11. Karah Parasaad, which is a sweet-tasting food that has been blessed, is served warm and is a special favourite.

12. Vaisakhi is the Sikh New Year festival and is celebrated on April 13th or 14th.

13. Vaisakhi remembers the time when Guru Gobind Singh began the Khalsa.

14. Once he had chosen the first five members of the Khalsa, the Guru removed their surnames, as surnames were linked to caste.

15. To show that they were equal, the men were all given the name Singh, meaning lion.

16. The women were all given the name Kaur, meaning princess.

17. The first members of the Khalsa were known as the ‘Beloved Five’ and were baptised with amrit, holy water.

18. Gurdwaras are decorated and visited and parades, dancing and singing take place throughout the day.

19. Sikhs dress up in brightly-coloured clothes and traditional jewellery.

20. The Sikh festival of Hola Mahalla is celebrated around March 17th.

21. Guru Gobind Singh introduced this festival day for Sikhs to practise their military exercises and hold mock battles.

22. The words Hola Mahalla mean mock fight.

23. During the festival, processions take place.

24. These include army columns accompanied by war drums and standard bearers and martial arts parades.