The Sikh faith, which was started in the 16th century by Guru Nanak Dev, is based on the equality of all human beings. Nine gurus succeeded Guru Nanak.

Before his death, the 10th guru, Gobind Singh, declared that Sikhs did not need a living guru and anointed the Granth Sahib, the holy book, as his spiritual successor.

The 1,430-page book contains hymns and poetry in the Gurmukhi script. It sings the praise of god, stresses on meditation and lists moral and ethical rules for the growth of soul.

Though the original copy of the Guru Granth Sahib is believed to be in the custody of the descendants of a disciple of one of the gurus -- Sikhs revere a copy, which is sometimes placed under the golden canopy of Golden Temple.

The celebrations, called 'Prakash Utsav' saw the recreation of a procession by the fifth Sikh guru, Arjan Dev, who compiled the book and brought it to the temple for its installation in 1604.

Photograph: Saab Press