Guru Arjan's martyrdom day is a very important religious festival observed by the Sikhs. It is celebrated every year during the end of May or starting of June. Guru Arjan is a much-respected religious leader of the Sikh Faith. He was burnt alive in the months of May and June. The Guru Arjan's martyrdom day is celebrated to honor the great soul. On this day, sweetened milk is offered to the visitors and onlookers to memorialize the Guru’s death.
There are ten vital dates that the Sikhs celebrate every year without fail. These are known as Gurupurabs and are the anniversaries related to the lives of the ten Sikh Gurus that the Sikhs honor a lot. Guru Arjan's martyrdom day is one of the ten Sikh festivals.
Every year on this day the Sikhs visit to the tomb of Guru Arjan or the Guru’s Samadhi. There are Prabhat Pheris that is the religious processions in the early mornings. These go about the localities as they sing hymns, which they call shabads. These are preparations of the festival starts three weeks before the day.
The procession is offered snacks when it passes the homes of the devotees. Gurpurabs mark the conclusion of the morning procession. The entire Guru Granth Sahib or the Sikh Holy Book is read out continuously for three days. As this reading is without any break, it is known as akhand path. It ends on the festival day.
The Panj Pyares are represented by five armed guards and they head the Prabhat Pheris. They carry the Sikh flag known as Nishan Sahibs. Religious music is also played by local bands and schoolchildren form a special part of the Prabhat Pheris.
Sweets are offered to all people present and there is no discrimination is made on caste and creed. The people visit Gurdwaras where special functions are arranged and devotional songs are sung.
