HAPPY GURU NANAK JAYANTI!!

Come we will quickly take you through the festivities of Guru Nanak Jayanti and its significance. Guru Nanak Gurpurab is celebrated by the Sikh community all over the world and is one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar. The celebrations are especially colorful in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. Even some Sindhis celebrate this festival.Also known as ‘Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav’ and ‘Guru Nanak Gurpurab’. 

This sacred day marks the significance of the birth of the first Sikh Guru – Guru Nanak. This day, celebrated like a festival, falls in the month of Kartik (November) according to the Hindu calendar. It is one of the most religious days celebrated in Sikh religion. Apart from Sikhs, Hindus and other followers of Guru Nanak's philosophy also celebrate this festival.

There is a lot more about Guru Nanak Jayanti that people must know. We share some things about the holy day.

• The celebration is generally similar for all Gurpurabs; only the hymns are different. The celebrations usually commence with Prabhat Pheris. Prabhat Pheris are early morning processions that begin at the Gurudwaras and proceed around the localities singing hymns. Generally two days before the birthday, Akhand Path (a forty-eight-hour non-stop reading of theGuru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs) is held in the Gurdwaras.
• On the day of the Gurpurab, the celebrations commence early in the morning at about 4 to 5 am.This time of the day is referred to as Amrit Vela. 
• The day begins with the singing of Asa-di-Var (morning hymns).This is followed by any combination of Katha (exposition of the scripture) and Kirtan (hymns from the Sikh scriptures), in the praise of the Guru.
• On this day, Karah Parasaad is prepared and served amongst everyone once the Puja is over. This food item is especially for all those who have a sweet tooth.
• Following that is the Langar , a special community lunch, which is arranged at the Gurudwaras by volunteers, which is then served with a lot of love and respect. The idea behind the free communal lunch is that everyone, irrespective of caste, class or creed, should be offered food in the spirit of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion).
• Night Prayer sessions are also held in some Gurudwaras, which begin around sunset when Rehras(evening prayer) is recited, followed by Kirtan till late at night.The congregation starts singing Gurbani at about 1:20 am at night, which is the actual time of birth of Guru Nanak. The celebrations culminate at around 2 am.

Some important teachings of Guru Nanak:

1) There is One God:Guru Nanak said, " I am neither Hindu Nor Muslim, I am a follower of god”, which actually spoke about his belief in one god.

2) Submission to the Will of God (WAHEGURU) Guru Nanak said that everything happens by God’s Grace, so Rest assured that God knows better what is right or wrong for us.  We should, therefore, accept His decisions without any grudge or question. 

3) Goodwill for all – SARBAT DAA BHALAA-

4) To speak the truth always

5) The three Principals

Vand Chako: Sharing with others, helping those with less who are in need

Kirat Karo: Earning/making a living honestly, without exploitation or fraud

Naam Japna: Chanting the Holy Name and thus remembering God at all times (ceaseless devotion to God)

7) Shun five Evils

GuruNanak asked his followers to shun five evils which leads to illusion ( maya) which eventually acts as roadblock towards attainment of salvation. The five evils are

Ego, Anger, Greed, Attachment and Lust.

8) No Discrimination

Guru Nanak  was strongly against all artificially created divisions and all discrimination, both in word and deed. He said that the caste of a person is based on what he does i.e. his deeds, good or bad..

9) Against False Rituals/Superstitions which imbibed fear in a persons mind.