Gurparb festival is celebrated by the Sikhs in
Punjab to commemorate their gurus. The festival is held twice a year. The first Gurparb is held during the months of October-November to celebrate the teachings of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. The second Gurparb is held during the months of December and January to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Govind Singh. In this festival the holy book of the Sikhs, the Granth Sahib, is taken out in a procession through the streets of the cities and towns of Punjab. Prayers are offered at the
Gurdwaras, the Sikh shrines. Non-stop recitals of verses from the Granth Sahib are also conducted. On this occasion free meals are served to everyone, irrespective of their caste or creed.