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Guru Nanak Jayanti History and Significance

Guru Nanak Jayanti History and Significance

Guru Nanak Jayanti is one of the Sikh community’s most prominent birthdays, which was observed as Guru Nanak’s first birthday. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, played an important part in shaping and consolidating the Sikh community. Keep scrolling down to know the history and significance of Guru Nanak Jayanti.

Why Do We Celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti?

Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Guru Nanak, the first of the 10 Sikh gurus who have influenced religious beliefs. The importance of Guru Nanak Jayanti is to respect and remind one and all of Guru Nanak Dev Ji of his teachings of sharing, honest living, and selfless service. He also takes soulful lessons from overcoming five weaknesses or human behavioral thieves as he describes it: attachment (Moh), greed (Lobh), lust (Kama), pride (ahankar), and wrath (Krodh).

History Of Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak Dev Ji (formerly known in Rai-Bhoi-Ki Talvandy) was born in 1469 in the present-day Nankana Sahib, Punjab, in Pakistan. Young Nanak proved countless times that he was blessed with the power of the divine. Long spiritual journeys later in his life he wrote 974 hymns found at the Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Book). He inspired several people to show compassion and laid a major foundation for their followers throughout the course of time. He was thus regarded as the Sikhism founder. Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated centuries ago in honor of this legacy of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

The Sikh literature states that on the full moon day of the Indian lunar month Kartik the birthday of Guru Nanak is celebrating. This day is celebrated with the greatest enthusiasm among the nation’s Sikhs, also known as Gurpurab or Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav.

In 2020, on November 30 (Monday), Guru Nanak Jayanti Day will be celebrated.

Guru Nanak Jayanti History and Significance

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Tradition Of Guru Nanak Jayanti

The celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti is a beautiful blend of energy and dedication. Various programs, events and processions are important parts of the event that some start days before the main day.

The Guru Granth Sahib (the holiness book), also called the Akhand Path, is one of the 48-hour continuing readings of it. It starts in nearly every Gurudwara two days before the festival.

The Nagarkirtan, a procession led by the five beloved ones, or the Panj Pyare, is a day before the birth anniversary. With the participants singing soulful hymns, carrying Guru Granth Sahib’s palanquin and the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag), this procession is quite an experience. With the performances of the Gakta and the traditional music, the vibe is lifted ten times. It is, as we have said, quite an experience.

The Jayanti begins at 3:00 am to 6:00 am by singing the morning hymns (asaa-ki-var), by reading the scriptures (Katha) and religious hymns (kirtan). To mark the beginning of the auspicious day another morning procession, called Prabhat Pheri, is also taken through the neighborhood.

The community lunches, the Langars, take place shortly after the Prabhat Pheris. These free lunches are welcome for everyone regardless of class, caste, belief, and gender.

Then in the evening, at sunset, people gather for night prayers at Gurudwaras or Rehras and Kirtan. After midnight, Gurbani is sung at about 1:15 am, as it is believed to be the actual time of the birth of Guru Nanak. The Gurbani completes the day and leaves everybody with a soulful mark.

And how can you forget your loved ones while all this happens? Don’t just wish them “Happy Gurpurab”; send them some presents this time, too!

Guru Nanak Jayanti History and Significance

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Teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji 

Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s lessons can help all to live happy and contented lives. Encourage your children to learn and share with friends.

  • Practice selfless devotion every day and work hard.
  • We are equal in God’s sight. No one is distinguished by gender, skin color, or social status.
  • Nothing but honest and true living pleases God.
  • Kindness is critical. Be kind to all, birds and animals included.
  • Pray for the benefit of everyone.
  • Don’t ever be afraid or scared of anybody.
  • And there’s one God and truth.
  • Equally love everybody.

Gurunanak Jayanti Wishes

  • I wish you to be showered with the divine blessings of Guru Ji for today, and forever on the auspicious occasion of Gurpurab. Happy Gurpurab.
  • On this auspicious occasion, my warmest wishes to you and your family. May this Gurpurab bring your life with joy and happiness. Happy Gurpurab.
  • May the Birthday of Guru Nanak shine your mind with wisdom and holiness. Happy Nanak Jayanti guru!
  • Let your life always be full of golden days on Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday with the warm wishes of Guru.
  • May you encounter happiness and blessings as we unite to remember Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the origins of Sikhism. Happy Gurpurab.
  • This Gurpurab may bring your life to joy and happiness! Happy Gurpurab
  • Let’s be happy and fantastic this day! Let us celebrate the birthday of Guru Ji and promise to follow his lessons. Happy Gurpurab
  • Wish all Sikhs and anyone who knows well what the ideals of Sikhism mean, a very happy gurpurab. Let all of us celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti’s Prakash Utsav divas! Happy Gurpurab.
  • I wish you were showered today and forever with the divine blessings of Guru Ji for the splendid opportunity of Gurpurab. Happy Gurpurab
  • Let no man live in illusion throughout the world. Nobody can cross the other shore without a guru. You may be blessed by Dev Ji. Happy Gurpurab
  • May Dev Ji’s blessings and joy encircle you as we gather to remember the beginnings of Sikhism and our beloved Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Happy Gurpurab
  • May your life be full of happy days and you never face any adversity on the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji with the blessings and warm wishes of Guru. Happy Gurpurab

There’s only one God; the truth is his name. The ideology Guru Nanak Dev Ji lived with these words, which are so beautiful. Guru Nanak Prakash Parv, shed some of these lessons onto your loved ones and make them also a part of your life. In order to follow them, you do not have to be religious. 

Also Read: Tips To Teach Kids About Indian Culture and Traditions

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