SAPTĀHIK PĀṬH, a pāṭh, i.e, reading of the entire Gurū Granth Sāhib, which is completed in a saptāh (week). Any individual, man or woman, or a group of persons by the relay method may perform this pāṭh which is commenced seven days ahead of the coming occasion, ceremoney or rite. One or more professional pāṭhīs may be engaged to perform the pāṭh or to help the individual or family in completing it. As with a sadhāran pāṭh, before the commencement and at the conclusion of a saptāhik pāṭh, generally a simple religious service takes place at which kīrtan is recited, ardās or suplicatory prayer said and prasad or Sikh communion distributed.