Omkar Dattatray
Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab also known as Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav celebrates the birth of the first Sikh guru ,Guru Nanak who is the founder of Sikhism .One of the most celebrated and important Sikh gurus and founder of Sikhism GuruNanak Dev is highly revered not only by the Sikh community but also by people of other faiths .The Prakash Parv is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism or Sikhs and it is celebrated with great devotion , gaiety and enthusiasm by the Sikh community .The festivities in Sikh religion revolve around the anniversaries of 10 Sikh Gurus .These Gurus were responsible for shaping the beliefs of the Sikhs .Their birthdays ,known as Gurupurab ,are occasions for celebration and prayer among the Sikhs.Guru Nanak ,the founder of Sikhism was born on Puranmashi of Kattak also called Kartik in 1469 ,according to Vikrami Samvat calendar in Rai-Bhai-di Talwandi in the present Shekhpura District of Pakistan ,now Nankana Sahib .The birth day of Guru Nanak is a gazette holiday in India .According to the controversial Bhai Bala Janamsakhi ,it claims Guru Nanak was born on the full moon (Pooranmashi) of the Indian Lunar month of Kartik .The Sikhs have been celebrating Guru Nanak’s Gurupurb around November for this reason and it has been ingrained in Sikh traditions .Guru Nanak Dev preached that any person could connect to God by worshipping with clear conscience .His teachings are included in Guru Granth Sahib .Guru Nanak Jayanti is one of the most prominent and religious festivals of the Sikhs and is celebrated all over the world with lot of pomp,prayers and customs.This festival is celebrated every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru known as Guru Nanak .Guru Nanak Jayanti is also known as Gurupurab and Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav.
This year it is 554th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak and this year it falls on 27th November 2023.Guru Nanak is regarded as a spiritual teacher who founded Sikhism in the 15th century. He started writing the Guru Granth Sahib and completed 974 hymns .The main verses from the Guru Granth Sahib elaborate that the creator of the universe was one .His verses also preach selfless service to humanity ,prosperity and social justice for all ,irrespective of differences .The role of Guru as a spiritual and social master forms the base of Sikh religion. The celebrations of this Utsav start in Gurudwaras two days prior to the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti .A 48 hour non -stop recitation of Guru Granth Sahib ,called Akhand Path ,is held a day before Guru Nank’s birthday .A procession called Nagarkirtan is organized.
The procession is led by five men ,referred as the Panj Pyare ,holding the Sikh triangular flag ,Nishan Sahib .The holy Guru Granth Sahib is placed in a palanquin during the procession .People sing hymns in groups and play traditional musical instruments and also display their martial art skills.
The joyful procession passes through streets decorated with flags and flowers .Originally a Persian word ,Langer translates as an almshouse or a place for poor and needy.
In Sikh tradition ,that is the name given to community kitchen .The concept of Langer is to provide food to anyone in need -irrespective of their caste, class ,religion or gender – always welcome them as the Guru’s guest .It is said that Guru Nanak ,when he was a child ,was given some money and told to visit a market by his father to do ‘Sach Sauda’ (a good bargain).
His father was a well known trader of his village and wanted young Nanak to learn family business when he was just 12 years old .Instead of doing a worldly bargain ,the Guru instead bought food with the money and fed a large group of saints who had been hungry for days .That is what he said was the ”true business. ”On Guru Nank Jayanti ,the processions and celebrations are followed by langers arranged at Gurudwaras by the Volunteers .In recent times ,we have seen many Gurudwares come forward and provide food and shelter to those in need .Whether in India or abroad ,whenever the need arises ,the Sikh community can be seen helping people out in the best ways possible .Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated as a public holiday in Punjab ,Haryana ,Rajasthan ,Delhi ,UP, Uttrakhand ,MP ,Gujarat ,Maharashtra ,Jharkhand and West Bengal .The celebrations are generally similar for all Sikhs ,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.
There are brass bands playing different tunes and Gatka teams display their swordsmanship through various martial arts and as mock battles using traditional weapons.
The procession pours into the streets of the town .The passage is covered with banners and gates are decorated with flags and flowers for this auspicious occasion .The leaders spreading the message of Guru Nanak .On the day of Gurupurab ,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 Asaa-ki-Vaar (morning hymns).This is followed by any combination of Katha and Kirtan in praise of the Guru.
Following that is the Langer ,a special community lunch which is arranged in Gurudwaras by Volunteers .The idea behind the free community lunch is that everyone irrespective of gender, caste ,class ,creed and religion 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 sun set when Rehras(evening prayer) is recited ,followed by Kirtan till late night .The congregation starts singing Gurubani at about 1.20 am ,which is the actual time of the birth of Guru Nanak .The celebrations culminate at 2am.Guru Nanak Gurupurab is celebrated by the Sikh community all over the world and is one of the most important festivals of Sikhism.
The celebrations are especially colorful in Punjab ,Haryana ,and Chandigarh and many more locations like in parts of Pakistan and England.
Even some Sindhis celebrate this festival .Celebrating the auspicious day ,the Punjab government has announced that it will install chairs dedicated to the great saint in 11 universities.
The Sikhs who cannot join the celebrations for some reason ,or in places where there are no Gurudwares ,hold ceremony in their homes by performing Kirtan ,Path ,Ardas ,Karah Prasad and Langer .They also celebrate it with great pomp and joy .On this auspicious occasion let us resolve to follow the teachings and message of Guru Nanak such as peace ,selfless service ,social harmony and help to poor and needy.
May the great Guru bring peace ,prosperity and social cohesion in the humanity .The teachings of Guru Nanak are more relevant in the modern world and therefore we should follow it in letter and spirit.
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist).
