List of Festivals Celebrated at Golden Temple

Nam Karan Festival, Naming Of A Baby

Giving names to new born babies at the Golden Temple is known as Nam Karan Festival. This is a special event of the various festivals at golden temple. When the mother who gave birth to her baby is fit to travel, she and her baby are taken to the Golden Temple by her family. Verses and hymns are read from the Holy Guru Granth Sahib, Karah Prashad prepared by the family members are distributed and the mother and the new born baby are given the sweet water called as Amrit. The Guru Granth Sahib is randomly opened, a hymn from that page is sung, and the first letter of the Hukamnaama, which is the message of God, is chosen. The baby’s name is chosen based on that first letter.

Funeral Ceremony

According to Sikh faith, Sikhs should not cry when a death takes place. When a person dies, members of the family bathe the dead body and clothe it. The body is then taken to the golden temple and the last rites are carried out outside the temple. The body must be cremated and while the cremation procedure is going on Kirtan Sohili is read and Ardas, a Sikh prayer, is said. The ashes of the burnt body are then thrown in the river. Guru Granth Sahib is read at home or in the golden temple for ten days from the death.

Amrit Sanskar, Baptism, Amrit Chakna

The baptism ceremony of a person who willingly accepts to observe the Sikh religious discipline and the Sikh code of conduct for the rest of his life is known as Amrit Sanskar or Amrit Chakna. This ceremony takes place in the Gurdwara with the presence of Guru Granth Sahib. It is conducted by six Sikhs who have already been baptized the same way. Amrit is prepared and hymns from Jap Sahib, Japji Sahib, Sudha Swayas, Benti Chaupai and Anand Sahib are recited. Karah Parshad is distributed at the end of the ceremony and the baptized Sikh becomes a Khalsa Sikh.

Akhand Path

The reading of the Guru Granth Sahib from page 1 to the last page 1430 without taking a single break is known as Akhand Path. The time period to read the complete Holy book is generally within 48 hours. The Akhand Path is performed as an indication of any special occasion in a family and it can be read either in the Gurdwara or at home. At the end of the ceremony Karah Parsad is offered.

Gurupurabs

A Sikh festival or special day of remembering Guru’s day is known as a Gurpurab Day. The celebration of a series of festivals with respect to the birth and deaths of renowned Sikh Gurus are called as Gurupurabs, which is very important with regards to the festivals at golden temple. The birth anniversaries of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh, the first installment of the Guru Granth Sahib in the Golden Temple by Guru Arjan Dev, the death anniversaries of Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur and the sons of Guru Gobind Singh are the important festivals at golden temple that are celebrated with immense enthusiasm.

Baisakhi

The gathering of thousands of people by Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib on a day to witness the Khalsa order of baptizing five Sikhs who are bravely willing to give their lives for the Guru is known as Baisakhi Day. Baisakhi Day is celebrated as Khalsa birthday.

Sangrand

The beginning of a new month is marked by Sangrand. On this day parts of Bara Maha and song of the 12 Months are read at the golden temple.

Maghi

Forty followers of Guru Gobind Singh Ji who fought the devastating Mughal Army and were martyred in Mutskar are remembered on this day.

Hola Mohalla

Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival that is celebrated on the day after Holi. It is celebrated for three days with mock battles, horse riding, followed by music and poetry competitions.