SAHAHAR wishes Happy Gur Purab to all the Sikhs around the world. Gur Purab is also known as Guru Nanak Jayanti. Celebrating the birth of Guru Nanak Dev founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Jayanti - extensively celebrated as Gurpurab across India and the world - is one of the several auspicious religious festivals in Sikhism observed to commemorate and remember the birth and philosophy of Guru Nanak, first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikhism. Sikhs and ardent followers of Guru Nanak remember him by celebrating Guru Nanak Jayanti with great enthusiasm. Guru Nanak (1469AD - 1539AD) was born in a village named Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, presently popular as Nankana Sahib, near Lahore, Pakistan. Biographical sources depict that from childhood he showed deep interest in matters pertaining to divinity and spirituality. Towards his later age, he completely engrossed himself in preaching the importance and power of spirituality in ones life that ultimately gave birth to Sikhism. Guru Nanak Jayanti is also about reliving his preaching and teachings that are quoted in the sacred Sikh scripture Guru Grant Sahib, the holy book in which hymns of Sikh Gurus are quoted. Gurpurab actually refers to the anniversary festivities that revolve around the lives of 10 Sikh Gurus to mark the significant contributions towards Sikhism. Because of such reasons, celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti is much similar to other Gurpurabs with the exception of the hymns. Festivity of Guru Nanak Birthday gear up a couple of days ahead of the specified date by decorating Gurdwaras in attractive ways and organising Akhand Path (reading of the Guru Granth Sahib incessantly for 48 hours). A day earlier of Guru Nanak Jayanti, devotees carry out processions holding Nishan Sahib (the Sikh flag) and singing hymns. The Palki (boxlike litter with poles) for Guru Granth Sahib, Panj Pyaras (five beloved ones) and Gatka team displaying their sword skills and martial arts are some of the integral and major attraction of the event. On the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, devotees sing hymns in the early morning from Sikh scriptures including Asa-di-Var followed by poems and sermons to relive the significant accounts and activities from Gurus life symbolically in his praise. Gurdwaras on the grand celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti serve Langar or a community meal to all for free.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 13:50:22 +0000