Guru Nanak Gurpurab

Guru Nanak Gurpurab also known as Guru Nanaks

Prakash Utsav and Guru Nanak Jayanti, celebrates the
birth of the rst Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak.[2] This is one of
the most sacred festivals in Sikhism.[3] Apart from Sikhs,
Hindus and other followers of Guru Nanaks philosophy
also celebrate this festival.

Sahib and the Palki (Palanquin) of Guru Granth Sahib.

They are followed by teams of singers singing hymns[7]
and devotees sing the chorus. There are brass bands playing dierent tunes and 'Gatka' teams display their swordsmanship through various martial arts and as mock battles
using traditional weapons.[5][6] The procession pours into
the streets of the town. The passage is covered with banners and gates decorated ags and owers, for this special
occasion.[5][6] The leaders spreading the message of Guru
Nanak.[5]

The festivities in the Sikh religion revolve around the anniversaries of the 10 Sikh Gurus. These Gurus were responsible for shaping the beliefs of the Sikhs. Their birthdays, known as Gurpurab (or Gurpurb), are occasions for
celebration and prayer among the Sikhs.
Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born on
April 15, 1469[2] in Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present
Shekhupura District of Pakistan, now Nankana Sahib.[4]
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,
but its date varies from year to year, based on the traditional dates of the Indian calendar.[5] It is a Gazetted
holiday in India.

The festival

Guru Nanak Jayanti 2010 at Pune, Maharashtra, India

Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, The birthplace of Guru

Nanak.

On the day of the Gurpurab, the celebrations commence

early in the morning at about 4 to 5 am.[5][6] This time of
the day is referred to as Amrit Vela. The day begins with
the singing of Asa-di-Var (morning hymns).[5][6] This is
followed by any combination of Katha[6] (exposition of
the scripture) and Kirtan (hymns from the Sikh scriptures), in the praise of the Guru.[5] Following that is the
Langar, a special community lunch, which is arranged at
the Gurudwaras by volunteers. The idea behind the free
is that everyone, irrespective of caste,
The day prior to the birthday, a procession, referred to communal lunch
[8]
should
be oered food in the spirit of
class
or
creed,
[6]
as Nagarkirtan, is organised. This procession is led by
seva
(service)
and
bhakti
(devotion).
[5][7]
They head the
the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones).
procession carrying the Sikh ag, known as the Nishan Night Prayer sessions are also held in some Gurudwaras,
The celebration is generally similar for all Gurpurabs;
only the hymns are dierent. The celebrations usually
commence with Prabhat Pheris. 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-eighthour non-stop reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy
book of the Sikhs) is held in the Gurdwaras.

which begin around sunset when Rehras(evening prayer)

is recited, followed by Kirtan till late at night.[5] The congregation starts singing Gurbani at about 1:20 am at night,
which is the actual time of birth of Guru Nanak. The celebrations culminate at around 2 am.[5]
Guru Nanak Gurpurab is celebrated by the Sikh community all over the world and is one of the most important
festivals in the Sikh calendar. The celebrations are especially colourful in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
Even some Sindhis celebrate this festival.

References

[1] Holiday Calendar, Government of India.

[2] Encyclopaedia of Sikhism. Sr Gur Nnak Dev. Punjabi University Patiala. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
[3] Guru Nanak Sahib. SGPC. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
[4] Guru Nanak Dev ji (14691539)".
[5] Gurpurab.
[6] GURPURBS.
[7] Guru Nanak.
[8] Guru Purab.

External links
Gurpurab BBC

EXTERNAL LINKS

Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

4.1

Text

Guru Nanak Gurpurab Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guru_Nanak_Gurpurab?oldid=691823770 Contributors: Academic Challenger, Tom Radulovich, Chowbok, Utcursch, D6, Xezbeth, Art LaPella, Rjwilmsi, Ian Pitchford, DaGizza, Chaser, Tony1, Asarelah,
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TXiKiBoT, John Carter, Dirkbb, Apuldram, Trivialist, Sjgknight, MatthewVanitas, Addbot, Jncraton, West.andrew.g, Kingpin13, Materialscientist, Nanakshahi-khalsa-calander, Skyerise, Aoidh, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, Jujhar.pannu, Bpadda, ClueBot NG, Isthatcorrect,
Theman244, TheyCallMeHeartbreaker, Aisteco, Gunit31, Gauravvivid, Ugog Nizdast, KH-1, Khushishah15 and Anonymous: 59

4.2

Images

File:Khanda_emblem.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Khanda_emblem.svg License: Public domain Contributors: <a href='//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Khanda.png' class='image'><img alt='Khanda.png' src='https://upload.
wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/Khanda.png/75px-Khanda.png' width='75' height='89' srcset='https://upload.wikimedia.
org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/Khanda.png/113px-Khanda.png 1.5x, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/
e2/Khanda.png/150px-Khanda.png 2x' data-le-width='186' data-le-height='220' /></a> Original artist: Fred the Oyster
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Contributors: Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons. Original artist: Jeev at English Wikipedia
File:Palki.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Palki.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own work
Original artist: TheyCallMeHeartbreaker

4.3

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