Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the first guru and the founder of the Sikh religion.
The sacred festival is celebrated with fervent devotion, spiritual gatherings, and the recitation of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikh religion.
This year, the Guru Nanak Jayanti is being observed today, November 27. The Sikh festival is celebrated with utmost love and reverence by Sikhs all across the world.
Every year, the Guru Nanak Jayanti is held on the full moon date of Kartik month, also known as Kartik Purnima. Parkash Utsav is also observed on this day.
Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 in the village of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib, near Lahore, Pakistan. He wrote many hymns, which Guru Arjan Dev compiled in the Adi Granth.
The Sikh’s first guru went to pilgrimage places not just in India but also to several parts of Asia.
Guru Nanak Dev had been devoted to the Divine since his boyhood. He spent his entire life promoting equality and tolerance.
His teachings spread the message of selfless service to humanity.
The primary verses of the Guru Granth Sahib dwell on the fact that the creator of the universe is one.
On the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti, followers of the Sikh religion observe the Akhand Path by reciting the Sikh holy text, the Guru Granth Sahib.
Two days before the festival, Prabhat Pheris (early morning processions) are organized with devotees singing hymns and traveling to the localities.
A day before Guru Nanak Dev’s birth date, devotees also perform Nagar kirtan. The Panj Pyare, or five men carrying the Sikh triangle flag, Nishan Sahib, lead the parade.
On the day of Gurpurab, prayers are performed in Gurdwaras throughout the day. The many components of the festival continue until late at night when devotees indulge in the langar.
The langar food is considered auspicious, and the traditional prasad served on auspicious occasions is kada prasad.
