Guru Nanak Jayanti
Guru Nanak Jayanti, popularly known as Gurpurab, marks the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first Guru of Sikhs. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in the auspicious month of Kartik, at Roi-Bhoi-di Talawandi. This festival falls on the full moon day of the Kartik month and is celebrated by the Sikh community across the globe with full zeal and enthusiasm. 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 to take part in the festivities to celebrate the birth of their Guru.
Traditional Celebrations
The actual celebrations of Guru Nanak Jayanti are held at the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar. The Gurudwara Sahib is beautifully lit up with lights and earthen lamps. The celebrations for Guru Nanak Jayanti start three days in advance with the continuous reading (Akhand Path) of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The Akhand Path is completed on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti and the holy book is decorated with flowers and taken out on a procession, known as “Prabhat Pheri”, early in the morning. The Prabhat Pheri starts from the Gurudwara Sahib and moves to different locations, wherein the devotees sing hymns (“Shabads”) and returns to the Gurudwara Sahib. The Panj Pyaras or the Five Beloved Ones lead the procession, each carrying the Sikh flag called the Nishan Sahib. The interesting part of the procession is the ‘Gatka’ teams – the Martial Arts team that displays their skills of using swords and shields.
Free sweets and community lunch known as “Langar” are offered to all the people at the Gurudwara Sahib on Guru Nanak Jayanti. Especially on this auspicious occasion, a lot of people from the Sikh community participate in the “Karseva”- service to the community. This includes helping in cooking the community lunch and distributing the same as the “Guru ka Langar”. The traditional Karah Parshad is also offered to one and all.
How to celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti at home?
- Tell your children the story behind celebrating Guru Nanak Jayanti.
- Dress-up your children in new traditional clothes and offer the prayers (Ardaas) at the Gurudwara Sahib.
- Along with them, read the verses and hymns from the holy Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
- Involve your children in preparing special delicacies, especially the Karah Parshad and distribute among neighbours and the pool in your locality.
- Involve your children in brightening-up your home by decorating it with lights, earthen lamps and candles.
So, celebrate the festival by following the tips given above, while reciting Satnam Shri Waheguru.
