Adi Granth

Earlier known as Adi Granth, Guru Granth Sahib is written in the Gurmukhi script. Ādi Granth was primarily written by Bhai Gurdas ji, under the supervision of Arjan Dev ji, between the years 1603 and 1604. When Guru Arjun dev ji first completed the Adi Granth, they placed it upon their own bed and slept on the floor. The sacred script was written without any spaces or breaks. However, the original volume was burned by Ahmad Shah Durrani's army in 1757, when they burned the whole town of Kartarpur.

Gurū Granth Sāhib ji was again compiled by Guru Gobind Singh ji, the tenth Guru of the sikhs in the year 1678. Guruji dictated all the bani to Bhai Mani Singh who recorded the bani on the paper. It consists of the original Ādi Granth along with the addition of Teg Bahadur's hymns. Thus Guru Gobind Singh Ji did not included his own bani (shabads) in Guru Granth Sahib Ji instead, he placed them in a separate Granth, the 'Dasam Granth'. Thus, Dasam Granth is not revered as Guru. It was decreed (announced ) by Gobind Singh ji, that Guru Granth Sahib Ji is to be considered as the eternal guru of all Sikh. Though, this is not mentioned either in 'Guru Granth Sahib' or in 'Dasam Granth'.

The first hukamnama of guru granth sahib ji was "Sabb sikkhan kō hukam hai gurū mānyō granth"

Printing

The printing of Guru Granth Sahib is done in Amritsar by officially appointed Sikhs. These are printed world wide under strict code of conduct. Before the twentieth century, Guru Granth Sahib was only hand written and was first printed in the year 1864, in the basement of the Gurdwara Ramsar in Amritsar.

Recitation

Guru Granth Sahib ji is always placed at some raised platform, known as Takht (throne). The Guru Granth is given the greatest respect and honour. Sikhs cover their heads and remove their shoes in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib ji. Guru Granth sahib ji is normally carried on the head as a sign of respect. It is waved upon by a chaur (sort of fan) which is made of fine material and a canopy is always placed over it. The devotees bow before the Guru as a sign of respect.