Guru Nanak Jayanti 2022
Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated every year to commemorate the birthday of the first Sikh Guru and who was lovingly called Guru Nanak. The day may change every year and that is totally dependent on the Hindu Lunar Calendar.
Guru Nanak Jayanti is also called Gurpurab (Punjabi: ਗੁਰਪੁਰਬ) and Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav. This is one of the biggest and most religious festivals of the Sikhs and is celebrated all over the world with a lot of pomp, prayers, and customs.
Importance of Guru Nanak Jayanti
The birthday of Guru Nanak is celebrated on Kartik Purnima as per the Hindu Lunar Calendar.
He was the one who brought the belief named Sikhism.
This is a reminder festival that all his devotees should remember the teachings that he emphasized and should live in the right and ethical way in life.
On his day, the book of the Sikhs – Guru Granth Sahib is read. The ritual is a nonstop ritual whereby priests read for about 48 hours before the festival commences.
Rituals of the Sikh Festival: Gurpurab
The ritual of reading is performed in Gurudwaras and in front of all the devotees.
Nagarkirtan is a procession of Sikh devotees and that too is conducted a day before Guru Nanak Jayanti.
The procession includes a palanquin in which the holy book is carried and the devotees follow the palanquin by reciting religious hymns and prayers.
The celebrations begin around 3 am early morning and will end by about 6 am in the morning. His time is called Amrit Vela.
The early morning time is considered the most auspicious for praying and that is why Guru Nanak told people to pray in the early hours of the day.
After the Amrit Vela, devotees spend the day with Katha and Kirtan rituals. This is a mix of religious hymns and reading scriptures that praise the guru.
Guru Ka Langar
The Langar is a very important part of the festival. A large community lunch is prepared and it is called Guru Ka Langar or Guru Nanak Jayanti Langar.
It is a vegetarian meal and is very nourishing.
All food items are prepared under very hygienic conditions by the devotees of the community.
One of the most famous dishes during this festival is sweet and is called Kada Prasad.
