Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, is a significant festival celebrated by the Sikh community across the world. This festival marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and first of ten Gurus.
The festival usually falls in November or December according to the Gregorian calendar and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor. The festivities continue for three days starting from the day before Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday.
On this auspicious occasion, Sikhs visit gurdwaras (Sikh temples) early in the morning to offer prayers and participate in kirtans (devotional songs). The gurdwaras are beautifully decorated with flowers, lights, and flags on this special day. It is customary to perform an Akhand Path (reading of holy scriptures) that lasts for 48 hours continuously leading up to Gurpurab.
One of the main highlights of Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations is Nagar Kirtan – a grand procession where devotees sing hymns while carrying Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (holy scripture) on a palanquin or float adorned with flowers. The procession moves through streets accompanied by musicians playing traditional instruments like dhol and nagara. People distribute sweets and langar (free community meal) along with cold drinks among spectators during Nagar Kirtan.
Guru Nanak Jayanti is not just about celebrations but also emphasizes giving back to society through seva (selfless service). Sikhs prepare food at gurdwaras and distribute it among needy people irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. This practice is called Langar Sewa which means serving free meals to everyone who visits gurdwara without any discrimination.
Apart from these rituals, people decorate their homes with lights, cook delicious food especially sweet dishes like kheer, halwa etc., wear new clothes on this day as a gesture of respect to Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
In conclusion, Guru Nanak Jayanti is a festival that celebrates the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, which emphasized equality, compassion and service to humanity. It is a time for Sikhs to come together and celebrate their faith while also serving society with selfless acts of kindness.