The most significant holiday for Sikhs is Guru Nanak Jayanti, often referred to as Gurpurab. The Sikh community was largely shaped and strengthened by Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
These gurus molded the Sikhs’ religious views. Their birthdays, called “Gurpurab,” are times for communal celebration and devotion. The celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti includes prayer processions, hymns, free treats, martial arts demonstrations (called “Gatka”), and community service.
What is Guru Nanak Jyannti?
The most important holiday is Guru Nanak Jayanti for followers of the Sikh religion. It is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of their first Sikh Guru, who was crucial in forming and preserving the Sikh community.
Histoty of Guru nanak Jaynti
A spiritual guide named Guru Nanak founded Sikhism in the 15th century. After beginning the Guru Granth Sahib, he finished 974 hymns. The major passages of the Guru Granth Sahib expand on how there was only one creator of the cosmos.
Additionally, despite disagreements, his poems advocate for social justice, wealth, and selfless devotion to humanity. The foundation of the Sikh faith is the role of the Guru as a spiritual and social teacher.
The practice of commemorating Guru Nanak Jayanti is said to be as old as Sikhism, even though there are no official sources regarding the festival’s beginnings.
Sikhism, regarded as one of the newest faiths in the world, was established by Guru Nanak, who is said to have been born on April 14, which is Vaisakhi in the Nanakshahi calendar.
The major passages of the Guru Granth Sahib expand on how there was only one creator of the cosmos. Additionally, despite demographic variations, his words promote social fairness, wealth, and selfless devotion to humanity.
Sikhism also prohibits the ideas of messengers and reincarnation. The Sikh religion is built around the concept of the guru as a spiritual and social leader.
A Nagarkirtan procession is planned for the day before the birthday. The Panj Pyaras are in charge of this procession (Five Beloved Ones).Teams of singers shouting hymns and followers singing the chorus follow them.
Brass bands perform various music, while “Gatka” teams use traditional weaponry to stage simulated battles and demonstrate their swordsmanship via various martial arts.
The happy procession moves through streets adorned with flowers and flags as its leader proclaims Guru Nanak’s teachings.
Celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti
Two days before Guru Nanak Jayanti, festivities start at Gurudwaras. One day before Guru Nanak’s birthday, a Nagarkirtan procession will occur. Nishan Sahib, one of the Panj Pyare, a group of five men bearing the Sikh triangle flag, leads the march.
In addition to performing hymns and giving martial arts demonstrations, groups of individuals also play traditional instruments. The word “langar,” which is translated as “an almshouse” or “a place for the destitute and needy,” is credited to Guru Nanak Ji, but in Sikh tradition, it refers to a communal kitchen.
It is stated that when Guru Nanak was a little boy, his father handed him some money and instructed him to do “Sacha Sauda” in the market (a good deal). Instead of making a worldly transaction with the money, the Guru bought food for a sizable group of saints who had been going without for days.
Volunteers host a langar in Gurudwaras after the processions and celebrations on Guru Nanak Jayanti. The 553rd anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth will be commemorated.
A total lunar eclipse known as Chandra Grahan, sometimes called the Blood Moon, will occur on Kartik Purnima this year. Regardless of ethnic variations, Nanak Ji promoted selfless devotion to humankind, economic success, and social fairness for all.
Langar and volunteer work
The community kitchen of a gurdwara is known as a “Langar,” an almshouse or a shelter for the needy in Sikh tradition. No of their caste, class, religion, or gender, anybody in need can get food at the Langar. Everyone is welcome in this communal kitchen as the Guru’s guests.
The Sikh community is renowned for stepping up to help those in need by providing food and shelter at the gurdwaras. Everyone is welcome to the meal, which volunteers make. In the Sikh tradition, distributing food is considered a communal duty (Seva).
For this event, kada prasad, a traditional sweet, is produced and distributed enormous amounts.
Importance of Guru Nanak Jayanti
The day known as Guru Nanak Jayanti, sometimes referred to as Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav, Gurupurab, or Guru Nanak Dev Ji Jayanti, marks the anniversary of the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
This festival, which honors Guru Nanak’s core teachings, is observed throughout most of India, particularly in Punjab, where Sikhism is highly prominent.
Conclusion
Guru Nanak set out to share the divine word across the world. With his Muslim buddy and traveling partner Bhai Mardana, he made foot trips to Mecca, Tibet, Kashmir, Bengal, Manipur, Rome, and other locations.
Whose path should I take because there is neither Islam nor Hinduism? Asked Guru Nanak. I’ll go in God’s way. Here is all the information you need to know about Guru Nanak Jayanti as the celebration of this motivational event approaches.
The 554th birth anniversary will be commemorated in 2023 on November 27.
FAQS
Q:How is Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrated?
Volunteers host a langar in Gurudwaras after the processions and celebrations on Guru Nanak Jayanti. The 553rd anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth will be commemorated.
Q:How to celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti at home?
- Lighted decorations for Gurpurab.
- Gurpurab Decoration at the Entrance with Flower Garlands.
- Burnished lanterns used in the Gurpurab decoration.
- Fresh Flower Decoration for Gurpurab.
- Rangoli decorations for Gurpurab.
- Brass bowls for decorations for Gurpurab.
Q:What is eaten on Guru Nanak Jayanti?
Kheer is always offered as dessert at a langar dinner.
Q: What should I give to Gurpurab?
You may find a wide variety of Gurpurab presents in our online store, including sweets boxes, cakes, dried fruit baskets, wall hangings, Omer pendants, brass khandas, steel bracelets, chocolate hammers, picture frames, and religious publications.
Q:What should I wear on Guru Nanak Jayanti?
When you celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti, you can don your favorite ethnic attire and participate in a wave of celebrations. Change from your heavily adorned anarkalis to basic kurta sets for the daylong events, making sure to take full advantage of it all.