Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024: Celebrating The Birth Anniversary Of The Founder Of Sikhism

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• Nov 15, 2024 | Kabita Pathak

 Guru Nanak Dev Ji Was Born On April 15, 1469, In The Village Of Talwandi, Which Is Now Known As Nankana Sahib In Pakistan…

Digital Desk: Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab or Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav is a festival of great importance for Sikhism because is the feast of the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji Sikhism’s founder and the first Sikh Guru. This happy day is celebrated all over the world in the middle of November, during the 15^th of November specifically rejoicing the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. It is one of the most observed Sikh festivals, with a deeply religious connotation in the Sikh religion.

Celebrations for this event begin almost two weeks before the actual date with Prabhat Pheris – small processions – undertaken during the early hours of the day in which Sikhs sing hymns in honor of Guru Nanak. The primary day starts with the recitation of hymns known as Asaa-ki-Vaar, then some gurus’ hymns named Kirtan, and a narration of a religious text called Katha. Man collectively also serves langar as a community kitchen, a movement, and a way of depicting Guru Nanak’s duality teaching. The Langar serves everyone and receives followers from diverse residential backgrounds; it promotes love and tolerance among people.

There are many cities in the world and India too where there is quite a big population of Sikhs and one among them is Delhi and this occasion of Gurpurab is celebrated with great fun here. A day before Guru Nanak Jayanti, Nagar Kirtans, the holy processions conducted by five beloved ones Panj Pyaras, start from Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib. Houses are adorned with flowers and Sikh flags on streets, and music and prayers are being recited in honor of Guru Nanak. Added to the previous ones are other festivities which are Delhi-specific but alternatively to firecrackers, there are environmentally friendly laser displays.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji came into the world in 1469 Puranmashi of Kattak (Kartika Purnima) of the lunar calendar at Rai Bhoi-di Talwandi (present Nankana Sahib, Pakistan). Not only the letdowns of Guru Nanak but ten Sikh Gurus also guide the Sikhs thus Gurpurab is a spiritual festival for Sikh communities globally. This day is also a gazetted holiday or a restricted holiday in India.