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Summary of Question:	How To Dispose Of Unlegible Guru Granths?
Category:	Sikh Practices
Date Posted:	Friday, 7/26/2002 10:31 PM MDT

Sat Sri Akal,

I have heard recently that a local Gurdwara in my area had disposed of a Guru Granth Sahib Ji, by Burning handfuls of pages in a Built up Fire! I was very appauled to hear of such, but I could come up with no clear conclusion as to why they did this, and no one I know can answer me as such.

So, How is it that we are to dispose of unlegible Guru Granths? Is it right that we dispose of it by fire? Is there a ceremony? Or is this a heinous act?
Thank you for your time... A response would be appreciated.
May God Bless all those with the courage to help others.

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REPLY
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Sat Siri Akaal Ji.
The only respectful way to dispose of damaged or illegible Siri Guru Granth Sahibs is to burn them. I have never tried nor has my local gurdwara community needed to do this, so I do not know the ceremony around such an event. But think of it this way: Sikhs treat SGGS as a living Guru, the Living Word of God. Just as the Gursikh's body is cremated (burned) after death, so the Siri Guru's body (the book) is cremated when it can no longer practically serve its function. I suggest you ask the Granthis of the local gurdwara what kind of ceremony is involved for burning damaged/illegible SGGS. Or contact SGPC at www.sgpc.net.
Guru rakha,
-DKK