Guru Nanak Jayanti

By Sikiladi

Guru Nanak Jayanti also popularly mentioned as GurPurab is marked on the full moon of the Kartik month of Hindu calendar each year. The word Jayanti generally refers to a birth anniversary hence most of us have assumed that Guru Nanak Jayanti marked in the month of November usually (the full moon post Diwali) is to commemorate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh guru.

 The day is marked largely by the Sikh Community and the Sindhi Community world over primarily as a three day festivity in the Gurudwaras and the Sindhi Guru Darbars. The Akhand Path is organized by the Gurudwaras and Guru Darbars wherein the Holy Scripture “Guru Granth Sahib” regarded as the Ultimate Guru is read continuously for 48 to 50 hours as a practice. A lot of other practices are often conducted alongside such as the procession led by symbolic Panj Pyaras (five favored ones), procession of the Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib)and it’s hoisting, singing of holy shabads and poetic renditions, preparation and serving of Langars and Karha Prasad. These practices have over the years appear to have taken the form of ritualistic practices commonly observed at almost all Gurudwaras.

Interesting fact as available on the internet is that Guru Nanak Jayanti marked in November is actually not the birth date of the first Sikh Guru who is ardently worshipped till date by the Sindhi devotees who mention him as Guru Baba. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born on 15^th April in 1469 in a village, Rai Bhoi ki Talwandi near Lahore according to some facts on the internet while others mention his birth date to be on Kartik Purnima. He was the founder of Sikhism – promoting the principles of faith, social justice and honest conduct and in reality the day is marked to pay homage to the honored, invaluable teachings of this great Master who played a major role in guiding his followers to a righteous path in life.  Guru Sahib’s teachings can be found in the 974 hymns composed by him as he started to write the Granth Sahib.

In today’s time of intolerance Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s principles of endearing humanity have proven to be a beacon of light as the world has been witnessing the immense Langar sevas and distribution of food and supplies conducted by several Gurudwaras in places of wars, natural disasters and calamities. In Kenya too we have witnessed the same spirit of community service by the Sikh Community during terrorist attacks and disasters in keeping with Guru Sahib’s preaching of being unanimous with anyone irrespective of their caste, creed, color or religion.