Guru Nanak Jayanti
The auspicious festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti will be celebrated by Sikhs around the world on Friday, November 15, which is the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is also known as Gurpurab of Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav.
Guru Nanak Jayanti
- It is celebrated on the 15th lunar day of the Hindu month of Kartik.
- It is one of the most important days in Sikhism and marks the birth anniversary of the first of the ten Sikh Gurus and the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
- The day honors the teachings and wisdom of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and also promotes unity, equality and selfless service, embodying the core tenets of Sikh philosophy.
About Guru Nanak
- Guru Nanak (1469–1539), also known as Baba Nanak, was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.
- He was born on April 15, 1469 in Rai Bhoi Di Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan.
- Guru Nanak Dev spread the message of ‘Ek Omkar’ which means that God is one and present everywhere.
- He preached the idea that one can connect with God by worshiping Him with a pure conscience.
- Guru Nanak laid the foundation of the three pillars of Sikhism: Nam Japna (meditation on God’s name), Kirat Karni (living with honesty and truth), and Wand Chakna (sharing with others, especially the needy).
- He was a poet, mystic, philosopher, and singer who denounced rituals as well as discrimination against women and people of low socioeconomic status.
- Guru Nanak rejected the caste system and promoted the idea of equality among all people, regardless of their background, caste, or gender.
- He introduced the concept of “sangat” (community), where all people could come together to worship.
- All his teachings are put together in the holy book called Guru Granth Sahib, which is the central sacred religious text of Sikhism.
Relevance of Guru Nanak Dev for Modern India
- Creation of egalitarian society: His idea of equality can be understood from the following innovative social institutions given by him:
- Langar: Collective cooking and sharing of food.
- Pangat: Eating without discrimination of high and low caste.
- Sangat: Collective decision making.
According to Indian philosophy, Guru is one who imparts knowledge, removes doubts and shows the right path. In this context, the ideas of Guru Nanak Dev can help promote peace, equality and prosperity across the world.
Guru Nanak Jayanti is not just a festival – it is an occasion to celebrate the values of equality, service, compassion and spirituality that Guru Nanak devoted his life to teach. In 2024, when Sikhs and others around the world come together to honor his legacy, Guru Nanak’s messages of unity and peace remain as powerful and inspiring as ever.
