Guru Nanak Jayanti is a popular Sikh festival associated with the birthday of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru. Celebrated on the full moon day of Kartika (October-Novermber), the festival starts with the three day traditional Akhand Path. During the festival, the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, is read without any break. This sacred book is carried throughout the main cities and villages in a procession. Five armed guards lead this procession holding the Sikh flag. School children and ladies sing hymns from the book. Special lunch (langar) is arranged in the
gurdwaras where this procession ends. Special prayers are also arranged in the gurdwaras.
