..: Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti :..

Shivangi.

@bairaagix

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Posted: 9 years ago

#1

Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurupurab or Guru Nanak's Prakash, celebrates the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Nanak Dev Ji. It is celebrated worldwide on Kartik Puranmashi, a full moon which falls in the month of Katak i.e. October-November every year.

Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated by Sikhs worldwide and is considered as their most sacred festival. The special Hymns uttered on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti makes the festivals unlike anything else. All the Gurudwaras are lit up and decorated like a bride on this day.

Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji, born in a village near west Lahore, was a simple man who knew various regional languages and had a married life with two sons. Later, he took up the work of his in-laws as the official in-charge of a store in Lodhi, near the area of a Muslim ruler. It was there where he came in contact with an Islamic minstrel who was senior to him. Sri Guru got enlightened by him and he started a mission and prophesied that,

"There is neither Hindu, nor any Mussalman, but only man. So, whose path shall I follow? I shall follow God's path. God is neither Hindu nor Mussulman and the path which I follow is God's."

He spent 25 years going from place to place, singing hymns. and preaching his doctrines. After his death many of his followers joined the Sikh society and dedicated themselves to the religion by visiting Dharmshalas at many places and preaching Guru Nanak Dev Ji's doctrines. Through popular tradition, Guru Nanak ji's teachings are practiced in three ways:

Vand Chakko: Sharing and helping others.

Kirat Karo: Earning livelihood honestly without cheating.

Naam Japna: Meditating God's name to control your weaknesses.

Edited by caffeineaddict. - 9 years ago

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@Leprechaun

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Posted: 9 years ago

#2

Guru Purab is one of the most important festivals in Sikhism. It is celebrated forthree days, beginning two days before Guru Nanak Jayanti. Akhand Path, the recitation of Sikh Holy Book Guru Granth Sahib begins two days before the actual birthday. It is read continuously from beginning to the end without a break.
The Five Beloved Ones or the "Panj Pyaaras" lead a procession of Sri Guru Granth Sahib with the Sikh flag called the Nishan Sahib around Sikh residential areas. The procession is decorated with flowers and sweets with the holy book in a palanquin. This procession has some singers singing hymns and a Gatka team perform martial arts, alongwith preachers and followers.
The main day of Guru Purab begins with recitation of morning hymns or"Asa di Var" which is followed by Kathav. In the afternoon, lunch is served to the entire community (Guru ka Langar) without any discrimination of cast, color, creed or sex.
Guru Purab also marks the culmination of Prabhat Pheris, or early morning processions where people moved about in their area reciting prayers and hymns on the beat of dholak in the wee hours of morning. Guru Nanak Dev ji served his life preaching equality and therefore everyone celebrates the spirit of equality remembering him with respect and love.