Gurpurab 2018- The Significance of The Celebration of Guru Nanak's Birth

Guru Nanak Jayanti (Gurpurab) marks the birth of the founder of Sikhism and the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak. It is celebrated on the day of Karthik Purnima according to the lunar calendar, which falls during the months of October-November, every year. This year, it is observed on November 23.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born on April 15, 1469, at a Bedi Kshatriya family in Rai Bhoi di Talwandi village, now in Pakistan, Guru Nanak is one of the ten celebrated Sikh gurus who helped in shaping Sikhism. Known for his wisdom and spiritual teachings, the words of the saint are registered in the form of 974 hymns in the holy texts of the Guru Granth Sahib. People believe that the spirit of Guru Nanak Dev descended upon each of the nine subsequent Gurus.

Guru Nanak Jayanti Read All about Gurupurab

This year it will mark the 549th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The date of the festival varies from year to year, according to the Indian lunar calendar. Guru Nanak birthday celebrations in 2018 taken place on November 23, Friday. Guru Nanak's birth is celebrated worldwide on the day of Kartik Purnima as per the Hindu lunar calendar. The Purnima tithi (Prabhat pheri) begins at 12:53 pm on 22nd November 2018 and ends at 11:09 am on 23/Nov/2018.

Significance And Celebrations Of Gurpurab | Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak Gurpurab is celebrated as the day to remember the holy Guru. It is a reminder for the devotees to follow his teachings and overcome the five vices - lust, greed, attachment, anger, and pride. His teachings stood in contrast with the religious practices of his time and became part of Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs.

Two days prior to the festival, Akhand Path - a 48-hour non-stop reading of the holy book of the Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib is held at Gurdwaras. Nagar kirtan, a procession of devotees, is organized a day before Gurpurab. The procession is led with a palanquin of Guru Granth Sahib and followed by devotees singing hymns and prayers.

Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations begin as early as 3 am, on the day of the festival. The time period between 3 am and 6 am is called Amrit Vela, which is considered apt for the recitation of hymns and meditation. It is then followed by Katha and Kirtan, which is a recital of scriptures and hymns in the praise of the Guru.

Guru Nanak Jayanti Langar Also Known As Guru Ka Langar

The Gurpurab celebrations are held with much fervor and joy at Golden Temple, Amritsar. Here, and at gurdwaras around the country, a special community lunch, called Guru ka Langar is organized and served to everyone who wishes to join the festivities. Guru ka Langar is always a vegetarian and nourishing meal. Keeping the kitchen clean and preparing the langar under hygienic conditions is of utmost importance. Kada Prasad is prepared on this day to celebrate the holy festival of Gurpurab. Kada Prasad is a traditional sweet made using wheat flour, ghee, and sugar. The prasad is prepared in large quantities to make sure it can be distributed to as many people as possible. Distributing sweets and lunch are considered a part of community service (Seva) in the Sikh culture.