This image was captured by me an hour ago while coming back from work. Gurdwara Rakab Ganj stands today on the Pant Road in New Delhi, facing Parliament House and North Block of Central Secretariat. It has the most modern building of white marble surrounded by a beautiful garden. Like most other Sikh shrines this Gurdwara has entrances from four sides symbolising that they are open to all without any distinction of caste and creed. This historical Gurdwara was built at a cost of 25 lakh rupees and took 12 years to complete. It was built in 1700 something. The Gurudwara was all lit up today as Guru Nanaks Birthday is going to be celeberated tommorow. Guru Nanak Sahib (the First Nanak, the founder of Sikhism) was born on20th October, 1469 at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present distrect of Shekhupura (Pakistan), now Nanakana Sahib. The Birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib falls on Kartik Puranmashi i.e. full moon day of the month Kartik. On this day the Birthday is celebrated every year. The Shrine (Gurdwara) repsesenting the home of Baba Kalu (Father) and Mata Tripta (Mother) is called Gurdwara Janam Asthan, situated at Rai-Bhoi-di-Talwandi in the present district of Shekhupura (now Nanakana Sahib in Pakistan). The Sikhs from all over the world gather here and celebrate the Gurupurab every year with great devotion and enthusiasm. A Sikh festival or holy day is called a Gurpurb, meaning Guru's remembrance day. The celebration is generally similar for all Gurpurabs; only the hymns and history of a particular occasion is different. The birthday of Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh religion, usually comes in the month of November, but the date varies from year to year, based on the traditional dates of the Indian Calendar. The birthday celebration usually lasts three days. Generally two days before the birthday, Akhand Path (forty-eight-hour non-stop reading of Guru Granth Sahib) is held in the Gurdwara. One day before the birthday, a procession is organised which is led by the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones), head the procession carrying the Sikh flag, known as the Nishan Sahib and the Palki (Palanquin) of Siri Guru Granth Sahib and followed by teams of singers singing hymns, brass bands playing different tunes, 'Gatka' teams (Martial art) show their swordmanship, and devotees singing the chorus. The procession passes through the main roads and streets of the town which are covered with buntings and decorated gates and the leaders inform the people of the message of Guru Nanak. On the birth anniversary day, the programme begins early in the morning with the singing of Asa-di-Var (morning hymns) and hymns from the Sikh scriptures followed by Katha (exposition of the scripture) and lectures and recitation of poems in the praise of the Guru. After Ardas and distribution of Karah Parshad, the Langar or special open lunch, which is arranged at the gurudwaras is served. The idea behind the free communal lunch is that people should be offered food in the spirit of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion). Some Gurdwara also hold night session. This begins around sun set whenRehras (evening prayer) is recited. This is followed by Kirtan till late in the night. At about 1:20 am, the actual time of the birth, the congregation sings praises of the Guru and recites the Holy Word.