Gurupurab celebrations begin with passion to mark 550th anniversary of Sikhism founder

Guru Nanak
Jayanti is celebrated across the country to mark the birth anniversary of Guru
Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, and is considered one of the holiest
festivals of the Sikh community.

This year,
Gurupurab is even more special as on 12 November (Tuesday) it marks the 550th
birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the first of the 10 Sikh gurus.

According to
the Hindu calender, Gurupurab falls on a full moon day in the month of Kartik
Puranmashi while, in the month of October and November, as the Gregorian
calendar suggests.

Defined by
his spirituality and devotion to the Divine, Guru Nanak Dev was a man of peace
who spent his entire life emphasizing on equality and tolerance. He was born in
a village called Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, presently popular as Nankana Sahib, near
Lahore in Pakistan.

Guru Nanak
Dev played a major role in setting up various spiritual, social and political
platforms, which were constituted on the principles of quality, goodness, and
virtue.

A three-day
festival, Gurupurab celebrations begin with Prabhat Pheris (early morning
processions) at the gurudwaras and then proceed to the localities with Sikh
devotees singing hymns. It is led by Panj Pyaras or Nagarkirtan (the five
beloved ones), who carry the Sikh flag, known as the Nishan Sahib and the palanquin
of Guru Granth Sahib.

Usually two
days prior to Gurupurab, an Akhand Path or the 48-hour non-stop reading of Guru
Granth Sahib, the holy text where the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev are preserved
 is organised at the Gurdwaras.

On the main
day of the occasion, devotees wake up early in the morning and sing Asa-di-Var
and other morning hymns from the Sikh scriptures.

 In the Gurudwaras, priests recite poems in
praise of Guru Nanak Dev. Langar or free community lunch is served in the
afternoon to celebrate life and prophecy of Guru Nanak Jayanti. Gatka, a
special type of martial art is performed by the people on this occasion with a
sword.