Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s 550th Prakash Utsav and Shree Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti, celebrates the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak. This is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism.
Shree Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of Sikhism, was born on 15 April 1469 in Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present Shekhupura District of Pakistan, now Nankana Sahib. His birth is celebrated on Kartik Poornima, the full moon day in the month of Kartik. In the Gregorian Calendar, the celebration usually falls in the month of November,
This year we are celebrating Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji’s 550 Jayanti on :
12 November 2019
Prabhat Pheris are early morning processions that begin at the Gurudwaras and proceed around the localities singing hymns. Generally two days before the birthday, Akhand Path (a forty-eight-hour non-stop reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs) is held in the Gurdwaras.
On the day of the Gurpurab, 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 Asa-di-Var (morning hymns). This is followed by any combination of Katha. (exposition of the scripture) and Kirtan (hymns from the Sikh scriptures), in praise of the Guru. Following that is the Langar, a special community lunch, which is arranged at the Gurudwara Sahib by volunteers. The idea behind the free communal lunch is that everyone, irrespective of caste, class or creed,[8] should be offered food in the spirit of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion).
