As they weave their way through the markets and residential areas of the city, people come forward to seek the blessings of the Panch Pyare, by prostrating themselves before the priests. The procession gives an opportunity even to the old and the infirm to pay homage to the Guru Grantha Sahib before it winds its way back to the temple. This eternal guru of the Sikhs is believed to consecrate the ground over which it travels. On the day of the festival, Akhanda pathas are organized in gurdwaras and many central locations in cities. A special shabad called Asaji di War is sung very early in the morning.
Devotees start streaming into the gurdwara at about the same time.
They sit and listen to the recitation of excerpts from the Grantha Sahib. After the head priest offers ardas, the entire congregation sings shabads based on the teachings of Guru Nanak, until noon. Food, which has been cooked in the community mess by volunteers, is then offered to the guru in an elaborate ceremony for his blessings. Karah Prasad is then distributed to all those present. Men and women of all ages, belonging to different castes and creeds, then sit together to partake of the consecrated food in the guru kalangar.