The auspicious festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated by Sikhs residing all over the globe. This year it will be celebrated on 14th November. His positive vision towards life, made a difference in the ideology of the people. His selfless approach towards humanity and his preachings made him the 1st Sikh Guru. It is on his birthday that people celebrate the festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti. Let’s learn more about this alluring festival.
Guru Nanak Jayanti also known as Gurpurab is celebrated with a great enthusiasm by Sikh community. In this article, we will share with you the history behind this festival and the reason why it is celebrated. Refer to the article below and observe strongly, the glory of this festival.
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2016: The Background
The auspicious festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti famously known as Prakash Utsav and Gurpurab is celebrated by the disciples of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the entire world. Though this festival is mainly celebrated by Sikhs, apart from them Nanak Panthi Hindus also follow this festival. The birth of 10 Sikh gurus is regarded as Gurpurab and it is celebrated with great interest globally.
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2016: About Guru Nanak
The first Guru of Sikhs, Guru Nanak incepted Sikhism. It was on April 15, 1469 when he was born in Rai-Bhoi-Di Talwandi, which is now at Sheikhupura, a district of Pakistan and now known as Nankana Sahib. Guru Nanak Dev ji’s birthday is celebrated on Kartik Purnima (Full Moon night in Hindu month Kartik), as per the traditional Hindu lunar calendar. The Gregorian Calendar shows that Guru Nanak’s birthday falls in the month of November. The relation between Lunatic Calendar and Gregorian Calendar is such that the date changes every year.
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2016: The Festival
Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with a great devotion all over the world. The celebration is similar everywhere, only the chants may differ depending on the region. To begin with the celebration, Prabhat Pheri is conducted. It is a ritual in which people sing hymns on the street at 4 A.M. and they greet other Sikh families. It is vibrant and musical. Those who conduct Prabhat Pheri, begins it from Gurudwara. Sikhs follow it religiously and they spread enlightenment by singing beautiful canticles and also by lighting lamps.
Two days prior to the festival, Akhand Path is organized in most of the Gurudwaras. The preachers recite Guru Granth Sahib continuously for 48 hours. Nagar Kirtans are arranged a day before the festival. It is an assembly lead by Panj Pyares. For those of you who are not aware of Panj Pyare, read the following details.
Panj Pyare implies 5 beloved. As mentioned in the history, Guru Nanak inducted 5 men as Panj Pyares.It has been followed since then that 5 men are elected as Panj Pyare. Subtly, they are regarded as the most authentic protectors of the religion.
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2016: Legend Behind The Evolution Of Panj Pyare
It was the day when many Sikhs assembled as per the invitation given to them by Guru Nanak Dev Ji. He wanted to know who was brave enough, to sacrifice their life for the betterment of mankind. He announced it as an act of honor. The man who can sacrifice his life exemplifies that death cannot haunt them. One man volunteered and he was accompanied by Guru Nanak to the tent. He came out with the blood spilled all over his sword. He then asked for more volunteers and every time he came out with blood on his sword. This process came to an end after he took the 5th man inside the tent. Later, he came out with all five men by his side and they were not at all hurt. He sprinkled holy water on them and announced them as the purest men ever to walk on the face of earth. These 5 men were given the status of Panj Pyare. Guru Nanak then asked them to sprinkle holy water at him too. Since then it has become a ritual to chose 5 pure people, who are then given a distinction of Panj Pyare.
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2016: Nagar Kirtan
One of the prime events of the festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti includes Nagar Kirtan. This procession is lead by The Panj Pyares. They hold a flag called Nishan Sahib and Palki of Guru Granth Sahib. A team of other devotees sing chants in chorus, as they follow the Panj Pyares. They also showcase various arts, like mock battles which involves weapons and martial arts. The event signifies the strength of the Sikh community.
Many other such events are celebrated during the course of Guru Nanak Jayanti. The Sikhs participate in all these preparations with great enthusiasm and they add more power to the festival. It is one of the most auspicious festival. You will only learn more about it once you will experience it yourself. So make your presence felt at the celebrations of Guru Nanak Jayanti 2016.
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