Baba Banta Singh Ji speaks about the Nindaks denigrating Akhand Path.  The Nindaks say there is no reference to Akhand Path in the SGGS JI and that performing Akhand Path is MANAMT.  Baba Banta Singh explains what Akhand means “ਨਿਰੰਤਰ continuous” and Path means “ਸਿਮਰਣਾ recite“.  He then goes on to show that these Nindaks are ill-informed about Akhad Path and explains that SGGS Ji does point to Akhand Path.

These Nindaks who say that Akhand Path is Manmat do not know and do not follow the Sikh Rehat Maryada (see LINK A for the English Version at SGPC).  

The Sikh Rehat Maryada also espouses recitation of Akhand Path.  This is listed under Chapter VII Articles IX, X and IX reproduced below (see extract in Figure 1 showing snapshot of the relevant part from the SGPC Website).   

ARTICLE IX:

Akhand Path (Uninterrupted-Non-stop-Completion of the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib)

a. The non-stop reading of the Guru Granth Sahib is carried on at hard times or on occasions of elation or joy. It takes approximately fortyeight hours. The non-stop reading implies continuous, uninterrupted reading. The reading must be clear and correct. Reading too fast, so that the person listening in to it cannot follow the contents, amounts to irreverence to the Scriptures. The reading should be correct and clear, due care being bestowed on consonant and vowel even though that takes a little longer to complete.

b. Whichever family or congregation undertakes the reading should carry it out itself through its members, relatives, friends, etc., all together. The number of reciters is not prescribed. If a person, himself, cannot read, he should listen in to the reading by some competent reader. However, it should never be allowed to happen that the reader carries on the reading all by himself/herself and no member of the family is listening in to the reading. The reader should be served with food and clothing to the best of the host’s means.

c. Placing a pitcher, ceremonial clarified-butter-fed lamp, coconut, etc. around, during the course of the uninrerrupted or any other reading of Guru Granth Sahib, or reading of other Scriptural texts side by side with or in the course of such reading is contrary to the gurmat (Guru’s way).

ARTICLE X:

Commencing the Non-Stop Reading (Akhandpath)

While undertaking the intermittent reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred pudding (Karhah Prashad) for offering should be brought and after reciting the Anand (six stanzas) and offering Ardas, Hukam should be taken. While beginning the unbroken reading, the sacred pudding should first be laid. Thereafter, after reciting the Anand(six stanzas), offering the Ardas and taking the Hukam, reading should he commenced.

ARTICLE XI:

Concluding the Reading

a. The reading of the whole Guru Granth Sahib (intermmitent or non-stop) may be concluded with the reading of Mundawani or the Rag Mala according to the convention traditionally observed at the concerned place. (Since there is a difference of opinion within the Panth on this issue, nobody should dare to write or print a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib excluding the Rag Mala). Thereafter, after reciting the Anand Sahib, the Ardas of the conclusion of the reading should be offered and the sacred pudding (Karhah Prashad) distributed.

b. On the conclusion of the reading, offering of draperies, fly-whisk and awning, having regard to the requirements of the Guru Granth Sahib, and of other things, for Panthak causes, should be made to the best of means.

Figure 1: Chapters from SRM on Akhand Path