1. Guru Nanak

2. Guru Nanak’s birthday Guru Nanak is the founder of Sikhism. Sikhism is based on his teachings and those of the nine Sikh Gurus who followed him. Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in Pakistan and today Sikhs all around the world celebrate the anniversary of his birthday.

3. Celebrations Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak's birthday by reading the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, from beginning to end. This is done by a team of Sikh men and women, each reading for 2-3 hours over 48 hours, beginning two days before and ending early on the morning of the birthday.

4. On the day before Guru Nanak’s birthday, processions are held and these are led by five people called the Five Beloved Ones. The Five Beloved Ones are followed by singers, musicians and even teams of people demonstrating martial arts.

5. Sikhs go to the Gurdwara to pray. This is the Gurdwara in Hitchin. The Gurdwara is decorated with flowers, flags and lights. Sikhs join together to sing, pray and eat together. On the morning of the anniversary celebrations begin very early, about 4 or 5 o’clock. Sikhs sing hymns sung from the Guru Granth Sahib and poems recited in praise of the Gurus.

6. After singing hymns and reciting poems Sikhs share a meal from the free kitchen. Sikhs who are unable to visit the Gurdwara during the festival will hold a similar ceremony in their own homes.

7. In the evening celebrations may also include fireworks.

8. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00w5lnd

9. What did the people in Nanak’s village argue about? They argued about what God was like and whose ideas were right.

10. Who did Nanak spend time with? He spent time with the holy men who lived in the forest and talking to them about God.

11. What did Nanak do on his way to the market? Nanak met people who were poor and gave them money because he realised they needed the money more than he did.

12. Which animal rose up and provided shade for Nanak when he was sleeping? A cobra.

13. When Nanak was an adult and had a family, what did he do early each morning? Nanak would go down to the river to meditate and bathe.

14. For how many days did Nanak disappear? Nanak disappeared for 3 days. People searched everywhere for him.

15. Why were the people so sad about Nanak’s disappearance? The people in the village loved Nanak because he was kind, honest and good.

16. When Nanak reappeared after 3 days, what had Nanak seen in the river? He had seen a vision of God and that God had given him a message for everyone.

17. God has made everything. God sees everyone as equals. God loves everyone. It does not matter what they look like or how much money they have. It does not matter if you are a girl or a boy. It does not matter if you are young or old. God wants people to live their life peacefully with each other as he had intended.

18. Nanak went on 4 long journeys to spread God’s message. People started to call him ‘Guru’. What does ‘Guru mean? Guru means teacher.

19. With my own eyes, I see the world. The lovely world of God. My heart give thanks that I may live in this, God’s world. That I may wake in the brightness of day And rest at night in the blessing of God.