A sacred festival for all Sikhs, Gurpurab is celebrated on Kartik Poornima — the full moon day in the month of Kartik according to the Hindu lunar calender
The Sikh community across the world today celebrated Guru Nanak Gurpurab or Prakash Utsav — the birth anniversary of first of the ten Sikh gurus — Guru Nanak. A sacred festival for all Sikhs, Gurpurab is celebrated on Kartik Poornima — the full moon day in the month of Kartik according to the Hindu lunar calender.
This marks the 547th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak celebrated in true essence of Guru Nanak’s preachings.
While many say he was born on April 15, 1469, others say he was born on October 20 1469, though his birth anniversary is celebrated on different days every year.
Born in Rai Bhoi Ki Talvandi (now in Punjab, Pakistan) to a Hindu family he led a life expounding a straightforward way to find god by traveling far and teaching people that there is one god dwelling in each of us. It is said that Guru Nanak’s elder sister was the first one to realise Nanak’s enlightened soul. As a child Nanak was quick to learn the Vedas and even studied Persian and Arabic language. Guru Nanak founded three pillars of Sikhism:
Naam Japna: Where he directed Sikhs to practice remembrance of God through Simran and Naam Japna of Waheguru (a meditating mantra to connect to the creator).
Kirat Karni: A way to earn through one’s own hard work and accepting suffering and joy as god’s gift.
Vand Chakna: Teaches the concept of sharing. It also makes every Sikh contribute to his community.
Guru Nanak is also called Satguru Nanak, Baba Nanak, Nanak Shah Faqir, Bhagat Nanak, Nanak Kalandar etc. by people from different religions and cults.
The Rituals
Akhand Paath: At Gurudwaras or at homes people hold Akhand Paath which is the 48 hour uninterpreted reading of the Guru Grant Sahib beginning two-days ahead of Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Prabhat Pheri: Prabhat which means early morning and Pheri stands for the rounds done by Sikh devotees visiting the Gurudwara early morning and chanting hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book).
A day prior to the main festival the Panj Pyaras (the five beloved ones) carry out a procession known as Nagarkirtan where the Guru Granth Sahib and Nishan Sahib — the sikh flag, are placed in a palki (palanquin) and carried through the streets. During Nagarkirtan devotional songs and hymns fill the atmosphere with a sense of divine power. Gatka — a Sikh form of martial art is also performed using traditional weapons.
Asa-di-Var: The final and the main day of celebrations begin early morning with the recital of the Asa-di-Var (morning hymns). Then comes the katha, explaining the Guru Granth Sahib followed by langar (a common kitchen in the Gurudwara where food is served to all irrespective of religion).
SIKH FACTS
- Major Sikh festivals revolve around the birth anniversaries of ten Sikh Gurus: Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan, Guru Har Gobind, Guru Har Rai, Guru Har Krishan, Guru Tegh Bahadur, and Guru Gobind Singh.
- The religious script of Sikhism – Guru Granth Sahib – is the core of the community.
- Gurpurab is celebrated on Kartik Poornima, according to the Hindu lunar calender.
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 "Guru Nanak Jayanti")
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