New Delhi: The auspicious occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti is being celebrated this year with much fervour and gusto. It is coinciding with Kartik Purnima today and is widely celebrated across the globe by Sikh community. The first Sikh Guru - Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birthday is called Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurupurab. The auspicious day is also known as Guru Nanak Prakash Parv or Utsav.
It is believed that Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born on Puranmashi of Kattak Puranmashi of Kattak in Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present Shekhupura District of Pakistan, now known as Nanakana Sahib. Many Bollywood celebrities including Kangana Ranaut, Rakul Preet Singh among others took to social media and extended Gurpurab wishes online:
Rakul tweeted: Kirat Karo - work hard and honestly
Naam Japoo- always remember god
Wannd Chhako - share with the needy
Three simple ways of being by Guru Nanak dev Ji… wishing all of you a very very happy Gurupurab
Kirat Karo - work hard and honestly
— Rakul Singh (@Rakulpreet) November 8, 2022
Naam Japoo- always remember god
Wannd Chhako - share with the needy
Three simple ways of being by Guru Nanak dev Ji … wishing all of you a very very happy Gurupurab
Yuvraj Singh tweeted:
May the holy teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) November 8, 2022
always guide us on to the correct path in life.
गुरु नानक देव जी के प्रकाश पर्व पर लख-लख बधाइयां।
Manoj Bajpayee wished his fans and tweeted: “Those who walk on the path of truth shall be praised throughout the world” Let us promise to love and respect each other, may Guru Nanak ji’s teachings be the guiding star as we travel through life and his blessings be showered upon us
“Those who walk on the path of truth shall be praised throughout the world”
— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) November 8, 2022
Let us promise to love and respect each other, may Guru Nanak ji’s teachings be the guiding star as we travel through life and his blessings be showered upon us #GuruNanakJayanti pic.twitter.com/Pj2O1ty7NZ
The celebrations begin with Prabhat Pheri which includes the procession of devotees who wake early morning and start singing prayers and hymns of the Guru. The procession begins from the Gurdwara and the group of devotees move around the localities.
As a customary practice, two days ahead of the Guru Nanak Jayanti, in almost every Gurdwara, Akhanth Path which means non-stop recitation of Guru Granth Sahib takes place. It is a 48-hour-long reading session.
One day before the birthday, Nagarkirtan procession is held where Panj Pyaras (The Five Beloved Ones) lead the troupe carrying the Sikh flag, Palanquin of Guru Granth Sahib. The procession includes devotees singing songs of the Guru.
In this procession, bands playing music, swordsmanship using traditional weapons are also displayed. Guru Nanak Dev Ji's message is spread across the streets where the group is leading.
On the day of the Gurupurab or Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birthday, celebrations begin early morning known as Amrit Vela. Asaa-Ki-Vaar or morning prayer starts the day with immense gratitude. Then, Katha and Kirtan are organised where Guru's teachings are talked about.
This is followed by Langar which is considered to be a form of prasad. It's a community lunch where people volunteer to partake in offering services. They perform Seva for free in the name of humanity.
In Gurdwaras, prayers are performed in the evening and night also. The Gurbani session begins after 12 midnight at around 1.20 am which is believed to be the time of the birth of the Guru. Kada Prasad is also distributed amongst the devotees.
For the Sikh community, the day holds greater significance and is revered as one of the most important festivals. In Sikhism, the birthdays of the 10 Gurus are observed as major festivals and widely celebrated. It is their teachings which the Sikhs follow to tread on their life path.
Happy Gupurab to all!
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