NEW DELHI - Delhiites Monday celebrated Gurparab — the birth anniversary of Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak — with gaiety. Devotees cleaned and decorated gurdwaras besides setting up tables early morning for the feasting that takes place later in the day.

Processions — known as Prabhat Pheri — were taken out early morning by various gurdwara committees in which many people from the Sikh as well as non-Sikh community participated. Devotional songs were sung and prasad or consecrated food was distributed among the devotees.

Gurparab is celebrated by the Sikh community across the world with kirtans where devotional songs are sung, and langar where food is distributed to all. Guru Nanak was the first of the 10 gurus who founded Sikhism.

Harpreet Kaur, a resident of north Delhi, said the festivities had actually begun Sunday evening and will continue till late Monday.

“On Sunday night, that is on the eve of Gurparab, our gurdwara here was all decked up with lights. Kids burst fire crackers and there were long queues of devotees waiting to go inside the gurdwara and offer their prayers,” Kaur told IANS.

“As dawn broke, devotees were back at the gurdwara, cleaning it and doing other voluntary work (kar serva) and preparing for the festivities ahead,” she added.

According to Harpal Singh, a resident of Karol Bagh, not only is food distributed free in all the gurdwaras, but many people do the same at their homes.

“On Gurparab, we distribute food like halwa, puri and sabzi to everyone for free. So it’s not uncommon to see long queues of people in several places waiting for a plate full on this day. This is like a ritual,” he said.

Added home maker Nalini Kaur: “We cook so much food for the occasion that we can eat it for days altogether. Although there is no particular delicacy that is made, we ensure that we first feed some needy people and then sit down for our feast.”

As the evening approaches, Harpal Singh said candles will be lit in their homes and in the gurdwara and fire crackers would be burst.

“Gurparab is a very important festival for us and we don’t leave any stone unturned to enjoy it. We make others join in the festivities too,” he added.