The Joyous Festival of Gurpurab- Guru Nanak Jayanti
I am neither male nor female, nor am I sexless. I am the Peaceful one, whose form is self-effulgent, powerful radiance.
~ Guru Nanak Ji.
Words are the most substantial medium that can change the world. Only a visionary, knowledgeable, and eloquent individual can use this medium influentially. Powerful words can transform countless lives, and this blog is dedicated to one of those inspiring instructors whose words have guided numerous people to cultivate benevolence.
One such religious leader, teacher, guide and human is Guru Nanak Ji. His spiritual beliefs, experiences, and words inspired millions. Guru Nanak Ji is widely respected and admired; he founded the Sikh religion.
His birthday is one of the enormous festivals in India that is celebrated by the entire Nation. This festival is famous for many names, such as "Guru Nanak Gurpurab," "Gurpurab," "Guru Nanak Jayanti," and "Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav." Guru Nanak Jayanti is a festival in Sikhism whose beautiful colours and essence can be seen in any part of India. States like Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh make its foundation more robust.
Welcome readers! In my last blog, I introduced the Indian festival "Chhath Puja," and your response delighted me.
Today, through this blog, I will try to connect you with one of the most sacred festivals, "Guru Nanak Jayanti(Gurpurab)." I will explain its significance, the rituals performed, and my experience at the largest Gurudwara in Delhi, "Gurudwara Bangla Sahib."
I assure you that this site provides all information about the holy festival "Guru Nanak Jayanti." So, stop waiting and start reading!
Introduction
"Guru Nanak Jayanti(Gurpurab)" is the most sacred festival in Sikhism. Guru Nanak Ji was the first Guru in Sikhism to founded the Sikh religion. The term "Jayanti" refers to a person who was born, lived, and eventually died. After his death, when his birthday falls on a particular date, it is called Jayanti. This year, Indians will celebrate the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji on November 15, 2024.
Another word, "Gurpurab," is a combination of the words "Guru" and "Purab. "Guru" is a Sanskrit word that means a teacher, guide or master, and "Purab" is a word that means festival or celebration, which completely means "celebration of Guru's birthday."
Gurpurab represents the birthdays of 10 Sikh Gurus, who shaped the beliefs of the Sikh community. Sikhs celebrate these holy days as festivals. During these occasions, they pray and conduct rituals to honour their Gurus and reflect on their teachings.
On these holy events, Sikhs read their holy scripture "Guru Granth Sahib," at Gurudwara. Traditional meals such as kheer, black gram dal, red kidney beans, etc. called "Prasada" are distributed to everyone. The tradition of "Langar(Community Kitchen)" also follows these days. People visit Gurudwaras to participate in community services. The work of decoration commences two or three days before the occasion.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji forever believed in parity. He said, "All of humanity is one, everyone is equal, we should share with others, we should live honestly and truthfully, and we should fight for social justice."
The teachings and guiding principles of Guru Nanak Ji are commemorated during the grand celebration of "Guru Nanak Jayanti."
Guru Nanak Ji
Guru Nanak Ji was born in Rai-Bhoi-di Talvandi village in Nankana Sahib, Punjab. Currently, it is a part of Pakistan. He was born on April 15, 1469, but according to the Saka calendar, his birthday is celebrated in the holy month of Kartik(October-November). The month Kartik is called "Kattak" in Punjabi.
The National Calender of India follows the Saka calendar, and according to it, Chaitra(March-April) is the first month of the year that begins with the spring equinox, March 22(the day when day and night are of equal length).
This historic Hindu calendar was published by Saka Samvat in 1957 at the beginning of the Saka Era.
"Gurpur Parkash Granth" written by Sant Ren Singh, states Guru Nanak was born on the full moon(puranmashi) of Kattak(Kartik). The full moon of Kartik month is also called the fifteenth lunar day of November.
Guru Nanak Ji was unique from childhood. He was very knowledgeable, spiritual and fond of education. He was born into a Hindu family but later accepted Sikhism and became the first Sikh Guru.
In remembrance of him, the Sikh religion celebrates his birthday as a festival. His few famous quotes are, "Burn worldly love, rub the ashes and make ink of it, make the heart the pen, the intellect the writer, write that which has no end or limit."
"There is but one God. His name is Truth; He is the creator. He fears none; he is without hate."
Guru Nanak Ji united a vision of equality across caste and religion and called for Sikhs to be socially engaged. He established the three pillars "Kirat karni, Naam japna, and Vand chakna(work, worship and share).
Kirat Karni encourages Sikhs to live honest lives. That should make us better people.
Naam Japna highlights the importance of directing our thoughts toward God through chant, reading, song, and recitation.
Vand Chakna reminds us to be generous to those in need and our communities.
All three pillars create a world where equality can thrive. Guru Nanak Ji believed in harmony and meditation in the name of the divine soul.
He spent his life teaching, writing and travelling to spread positive words in every corner of the world. He was married to "Sulakhni" also known as Mata Sulakhni.
Guru Nanak Ji spoke in Sanskrit, Persian and Hindi, which helped him to read other religious texts.
He is remembered for founding "Sikhi," endorsing women's rights and equality, rebuking the caste system, initiating communal kitchens that feed anyone (langar), emphasizing the significance of selfless service (seva), and preaching the necessity to centre our lives around God.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji confronted numerous injustices he observed in the world. One of the most prevalent issues was the treatment of women. He questioned every institution and tradition that kept women oppressed.
"From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman, he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come."
~ Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Today, women hold leadership roles within the Sikh faith and participate in all religious and social activities in a Gurudwara.
His other teaching is “No bargain can be more truly profitable than to feed and clothe the needy.”
Vand Chakna tells us to share and give. This principle of sharing with our communities and giving what we can is the foundation for two Sikh practices seva (selfless service) and langar (communal meal).
The communal meal is open to anyone. People from every caste, religion, race, gender, etc. are welcome. It is traditionally eaten on the floor to encourage equality.
“The happiness of man does not lay in the wealth and power he accumulates, but in his moral and spiritual achievements.” ~ Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
He understood that our external actions could significantly affect our inner souls. By recognizing God in everything, we can fully embrace oneness.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji's numerous quotes glorify his thoughts and vision. My words have a limit, but his not. It is hard for me to describe him wholly. He was a pure soul who never saw himself as a great human.
Significance
Guru Nanak Jayanti is not just a day in Sikhism or a birthday of their first Guru. It is the most precious day and plays a significant role in Sikhism.
His teachings and thoughts direct people to follow the right path. His trueness helps people have prosperous lives. He guides people to achieve the path of God with integrity and contemplation. His teachings are also part of the holy scripture of Sikhism, the "Guru Granth Sahib." Reading this scripture is one of the rituals of Guru Nanak Jayanti.
On this auspicious day, people devote themselves to the welfare of others, reading scriptures and devotional songs.
Guru Nanak Devi Ji always tried to build humanity without hatred, disparity or crime. He built a community of love, kindness, charity, support, spirituality, respect, parity, and devotion.
Rituals
The celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti begins with early morning processions, where devotees sing devotional songs and recite scriptures. This ritual is called "Prabhat Pheris." These holy hymns resonate all over the Gurudwara.
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Two days before Guru Nanak Jayanti, the "Akhand Path" ritual is performed. The Akhand Path involves a continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib in Gurdwaras for 48 hours.
"Nagar Kirtan" also begins a day before the Gurpurab. It is a ritual where devotees sing hymns and spread Guru Nanak's teachings.
The 'Gatka' teams display their swordsmanship through various martial arts and mock battles using traditional weapons. This ritual is performed on the streets of the town.
Thousands of processions are taken out on the roads of India to distribute Prasad(Offerings), such as chole bhature, rajma chawal, bread pakode, kheer, aloo sabji, poori, kadi chawal, Halwa, etc.
The whole way where the procession occurs is decorated with flowers, flags and other decorative materials.
On this precious occasion, gurudwara follows the ritual of Langar(community lunch). It is arranged at the Gurudwaras. The idea behind the free communal lunch is that everyone, irrespective of gender, caste, class or creed, should be offered food in the spirit of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion).
Meethe Chawal is one of the most popular rice dishes prepared on Gurpurab. It is cooked using fragrant basmati rice, ghee, sugar, saffron and dry fruits. Kheer is a creamy rice pudding that is also a traditional dessert.
In the evening, after the sun has set, the ritual of lighting candles and Diyas is performed in homes and Gurudwaras. When lighting a candle, people recite "We are going to take Guru Ji's Sikhiya (teachings); we are going to burn with Guru Ji's light and not burn with Kaljug (age of ignorance)."
Night prayer sessions are held in some Gurudwaras. The congregation begins singing Gurbani around 1:20 am, which marks the actual time of Guru Nanak's birth.
This day, the entire India emerges in the beautiful colours of this festival. The wave of devotion and positive words surround the Nation. The resonance and essence of holiness and festivity brighten the country. I also experienced that purity inside me.
To enhance my experience, I added a tour of Delhi's largest Gurudwara, "Gurudwara Bangla Sahib," to my list and became fully engrossed in the devotion of its true blooms. It was a mesmerizing experience for me.
Personal Experience
I visited the "Shri Bangla Sahib, Gurudwara," in Delhi two days before Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Every Gurudwara in Sikhism follows the same rules and rituals. If you are interested to know, visit my blog "Golden Temple."
I followed every rule before entering the Gurudwara. I covered my head, removed my shoes, and wore traditional, covered clothing. The Gurudwara operates 24 hours a day, allowing devotees to visit at any time.
The connectivity with buses, cars, rickshaws and the metro is fantastic. I chose my vehicle to get there.
Phones are allowed on the premises, but please try to use them less. Every sacred place is meant for devotion, not for filming reels, shorts, or vlogs.
I entered the premises with my bowed head. It enlightened me with the gorgeous shades of belief. The preparations were at their peak. The entire gurudwara started decorating with lights and multicoloured attires. The cleaning work at the Gurudwara was done by volunteers. It highlights the beauty of religious places, and anyone can contribute.
I helped an elderly woman move utensils and provide water service. It was a beautiful day, and I felt complete and delighted as I worked in the home of God.
Many spiritual songs and prayers resonated in the main premise. I sat for a while and felt each word within me.
I was surprised to experience that I didn't understand Punjabi, but the resonance and vibration released from them connected with my soul. It soothed my soul and purified me.
The human body consists of frequencies and wavelengths. The correct frequencies can help you feel calm, happy, and detoxified.
I realised we do not need to learn the different languages in any religious place in India; their positive vibrations are enough to catch your internal frequencies. Those prayers felt like I was a child of God, and he was inside me.
After sitting there for an hour, I spent some time near Sarovar. There were many small lives in the water of Sarovar. They were playing like they also felt safe and complete in the home of God. The belief is that the water of Sarovar purifies the soul and cures diseases.
I ate the Langar(community kitchen food) and took the prasad(halwa) in the end. The hall of Bangla Sahib fills up every 15 minutes for the Langar. As many as 150 people can attend in one go. People of all religions are welcome to have the food here.
I wanted to visit the Gurudwara during Gurupurab for a better experience, but it was not meant to be. However, the preparations leading up to Gurupurab provided me with a different experience. It taught me that some services are provided without a desire for financial gain.
Every spiritual place says the story itself. Shri Bangla Sahib also concludes the history.
The Gurudwara is known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, who stayed here in 1664 and healed many people suffering from a cholera epidemic.
In the 17th century, the palace was constructed by the Hindu Rajput ruler, Raja Jai Singh, and was initially named Jaisinghpura Palace. Raja Jai Singh donated his palace in devotion to Guru Har Krishan. In 1783, Sikh General Sardar Baghel Singh rebuilt the palace as a small shrine. After 1947, The present structure of the Gurudwara was built.
You should visit the Gurudwara at Gurpurab for a life-changing experience. On this occasion, all the Gurudwaras are decorated with colourful lights, flowers and decorative materials. That gives a soothing view to the eyes.
This is the beauty of Indian festivals. They can be celebrated by anyone, anywhere. So, let's celebrate this beautiful occasion together. Guru Nanak Jayanti is the festival of India. We should unite on this exquisite occasion.
Now, it's time to leave and move on to new learnings. I hope I covered every attribute and ritual related to "Guru Nanak Jayanti." You can convey your experience through comments and messages.
If you are interested in reading more blogs like these, visit my site.
Till that, Aap Sab Nu Gurpurab Di Lakh Lakh Vadhaiyan Howe. Waheguru Sab Pe Meher Kare.
Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti(Gurpurab)! Happy reading!
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