Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh religion was a poet, philosopher, a humanist and a social reformer. He studied Hinduism and Islam and lived as an ascetic. He was born in the month of Kartik (October/ November) and his birthday is celebrated today as Guru Nanak Jayanti.  The Golden Temple in Amritsar is where the main celebrations are held - although all Gurudwaras (Sikh Temples) partake in the celebrations.
Guru Nanak was born at Tolevandi or Talwandi in 1469 A.D near Lahore, which is a part of Pakistan today. The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak is called as Guru Nanak Jayanti and is celebrated on a full moon day. The birth anniversaries of the other Sikh’s Gurus are called Guru Parabs.

Guru Nanak was born in a Kshatriya (warrior) family. When he grew up he studied Hinduism and Islam. He married and had children but later abandoned his own family to become an ascetic. He came under the influence of both Hindus and Muslims especially the Sufi group. It was the Muslim teacher Kabir who made a great impact on him. Guru Nanak was of very pious nature and started on the path of meditation and spirituality very early in life.

The main festivities of Guru Nanak Jayanti take place at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The Gurudwara is beautifully lit up with earthen lamps and lights.Celebrations for Guru Nanak Jayanti start three days in advance with the continuous reading of the Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This is called Akhand Path. The Akhand Path culminates on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti and the holy book is decorated with flowers and taken out on a procession early in the morning. This is called Prabhat Pheri. The Prabhat Pheri starts at the Gurudwara and moves to different locations singing hymns or “shabads” and returns back to the Gurudwara.

The Panj Pyaras or the Five Beloved Ones lead the procession carrying the Sikh flag called Nishan Sahib.
At Nanakana Sabib, the birth place of Guru Nanak, there is a beautiful Gurudwara and a holy tank or Sarovar. On the day of the festival, the place is thronged with devotees who come from far and near. A fair and festival is held to celebrate the birth of their Guru.
Free sweets and community lunches called “langar” are offered to people of all faiths at the Gurudwaras during Guru Nanak Jayanti. Many of the Sikh men and women also participate in the “Karseva” or “service to the community”. This includes helping in cooking food and distributing the same at the Guru ka Langar. The traditional Karah Prasad is also offered to everybody.

Gurupurab is the first birthday of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru and falls on Kartik Poornima that is the day of the full moon in the month of Kartik. In the Gregorian Calendar, the birthday of Guru Nanak more commonly referred to as Guru Nanak Jayanti usually falls in the month of November, but its date varies from year to year, based on the traditional dates of the Indian calendar

One of the main shrines of the Sikhs is the Golden Temple of Amritsar, in Punjab, where Sikhism has a real hold. The Temple foundations were Laid by the Fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das (1534-1581).

The entire Sikh community gets engaged in the true festive mood. Delectable delicacies are also prepared on this holy occasion and distributed.