The tradition of 'Prabhat Pheri' (early morning processions singing hymns) is associated with which festival?

Prabhat Pheris are early morning processions held by Sikh devotees in the days before Gurpurab, especially before Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. The devotees walk through the streets of their locality before dawn, singing shabads (hymns) from the Guru Granth Sahib and spreading the message of the Gurus.

A Gurpurab is a festival marking an important event in the life of a Sikh Guru, such as a birth or martyrdom. The most important Gurpurab is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, who was born in 1469 at Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, in Pakistan). It is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Kartika (Kartika Purnima), in October-November. Other major Gurpurabs include the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, and the martyrdom days of Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Tegh Bahadur.

The celebrations of Guru Nanak Jayanti include:

• Prabhat Pheris, starting about two weeks before the festival.
• The Akhand Path, an uninterrupted reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib, which takes about 48 hours and ends on the day of the Gurpurab.

The Nagar Kirtan, a grand procession on the day before the Gurpurab, led by the Panj Pyare (the five beloved ones), carrying the Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib), with the Guru Granth Sahib carried in a decorated palanquin, accompanied by hymn singing and displays of gatka (Sikh martial arts).

Kirtan, prayers and the langar, the free community kitchen, in which everyone eats together regardless of caste, religion or status.

Gurdwaras are lit up with lamps and lights, and fireworks are displayed.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Diwali is the festival of lights; Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas on the same day.
• ✗Holi is the festival of colours; Sikhs celebrate Hola Mohalla the day after Holi.
• ✗Navroz is the Parsi New Year.