The Guru Granth Sahib
The Guru Granth Sahib 
Guru Granth Sahib is the Sikh's Holy Book. If it is not in use it is wrapped in decorative silks and placed on a platform.
During the day the book is opened on cushions (manji). If it is not being read it may be covered with a cloth called a rumalla. Whilst it is being read a fan called a chauri (a sign of authority) may be waved over it.
The book is made up from the sacred writing of six of the gurus. it contains 1,430 pages, 3,384 hymns and is always exactly the same. The language it is written in is Gurmukhi (literally "from the mouth of gurus")...a written form of the panjabi. It is treated like a live guru; with great respect. Wherever the book is can be considered a meeting place for Sikhs.
The Mool Mantra is the opening of the Guru Granth Sahib. It is a statement of Sikh belief.
| IK OKAAR | There is only one God |
| SAT NAAM | Truth is his name |
| KARTA PURKH | He is the creator |
| NIRBHAU | He is without fear |
| NIRVAIR | He is without hate |
| AKAAL MOORAT | He is timeless and without form |
| AJOONI SABHANG | He is beyond death - the enlightened one |
| GUR PARSAD | He can be known by the guru's grace |
Reading the whole of The Guru Granth Sahib is a special part of a ceremony.
It takes 48 hours and is done on special occasions such as after giving birth
or moving house as well as before festivals. Readers take it in turns to read
the text, man and women will take part. The total reading in forty eight hours
is called the Akhand Path. Reading it in a more leisurely fashion over about
ten days is called the Sahaj Path. It may be read either at the gurdwara or
at home.