The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the first Guru of the Sikh sect, is celebrated every year on the day of Kartik Purnima. This year, Guru Nanak Jayanti is on Monday, 30 November. Guru Nanak Jayanti is also known as Guru Purab or Prakash Parva.
For farmers in Punjab, Guru Purab, the most important for the Sikhs, is marked by relentless protests against farm laws that threaten their livelihood. The protesting farmers at the Singhu border (Delhi-Haryana border) have offered prayers today morning on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti.
About Guru Nanak Dev
Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 in Sri Nankana Sahib (Pakistan) in Talwandi (now Pakistan), a village on the banks of river Ravi on Karthik Purnima. He is the founder of Sikhism and the first Guru of Sikhs.
On the occasion of Prakash Parv, there is a grand decoration of gurudwaras. The arrival festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti starts by removing the morning shrines. Sri Vahe Guru and Guru Baani are recited. Grand kirtans (Shabad Kirtan) in the city are also taken out. However, this time due to COVID-19, guidelines have been issued regarding programs of grand city kirtan and people are requested to follow social distancing norms.
Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations
Two days before Jayanti i.e. 48 hours before, in the Gurdwaras, there is an unbroken recitation of the Granth Guru Granth Saahib. After that, the city kirtan is taken out a day before Chaturdashi i.e. Poornima. A beautiful palanquin holds the Guru Granth Sahib and visits the city, performing bhajan and kirtans.
Then on the day of Prakash festival on Kartik Purnima, the celebration of Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary begins at 03:00 am in Amrit Bela. Amrit Bela is till 06:00 am in the morning. Meditate and pray in it. Bhandara is followed by Bhajan, Katha and Kirtan.
Guru Nanak Dev laid the foundation of the Sikh sect to remove the superstition, hatred, discrimination spread in the society. He started the langar tradition to increase mutual love and brotherhood in the society. In this people of all castes and creeds sit together and dine.
Guru Nanak Dev insisted on 'Nirguna Upasana' and spread it. He neither worshipped nor believed in idol worship. God is one, He is omnipotent, He is the truth. He had full faith in it.
May Wahe Guru shower his blessings on you! Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti!!
