Guru Nanak Jayanti 2019: History, importance, significance of Gurpurab

New Delhi : Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurupurab is one of the significant festivals celebrated by the Sikh community across the globe. The day marks the birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, and falls on a full moon day in the month of Kartik, according to the Hindu lunar calendar.

This year, Gurupurab will be celebrated on November 12.

With Guru Granth Sahib being read continuously for 48 hours, the celebration of the guru’s birth anniversary begins two days prior to the actual date.

On the celebration day, a meal is prepared that is followed by langar, allowing followers to offer seva. The lunch is prepared by volunteers and is offered to everybody irrespective of caste, religion and creed. It consists of daal, roti, chawal, sabji and halwa.

In the morning, Sikh devotees perform 'prabhat pheri', during the course of the day, devotees chant and sing hymns. A special prayer is organised at sunset and is known as 'Rehrasi’. According to legends, it is believed that Nanak was born at around 1:20 am. Therefore, the evening prayers continue till then, as worshippers sing Gurbani in his praise. It finally comes to an end around 2:00 am.

Gurupurab is widely celebrated in the northern part of India, especially in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.

Guru Nanak Jayanti is a gazetted holiday in India, acknowledging the Sikh community.

Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti to all our Sikh community readers.