Guru nanak jayanti

1. Guru Nanak Jayanti

3. Why is Guru Nanak Jayanti
Celebrated?
• Guru Nanak Jayanti is commemorated as the birth anniversary of
Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten gurus
holy to Sikhism.
• This is one of the most sacred festivals for Sikhs all over the world
and is celebrated with utmost love and reverence.
• In 2021, Guru Nanak Jayanti shall be observed on 19 November. It
is also known as Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsab and Guru Nanak
Gurupurab.

4. Guru Nanak Dev was an extremely
learned man known for his political,
social, and spiritual beliefs. He was born
in 1469 in a village now situated in
present day Pakistan. The place of his
birth, Nankana Sahib is one of the most
holy sites for Sikhs and Sikhs wish to visit
the Nankana Sahib at least once in their
lifetime.

5. The best quality about Guru Nanak ji was
that he preached that god was one and
you can reach him simply through
remembering him in your heart.
Consequently, his teachings based on
purity, service and goodness are captured
in the sacred Sikh scripture, the Guru
Granth Sahib which is a collection of
verses written in Gurmukhi and open to
be read by all.

6. What does “EK ONKAR”
mean?
• This symbol ੴ pronounced
Ek Onkar is the symbol that
is used to represents the
"One Supreme Reality" or
"One God." This is the
symbol that appears at the
beginning of the Guru
Granth Sahib.

7. How is it celebrated?
1. Since this festival is celebrated with lots of fervour in the Sikh
community, people start to prepare for the Prabhat Feri (or the
morning march) fifteen days prior to Guruparb on every morning.
2. The Akhand Path (reading of the Guru Granth Sahib for 48
hours) is then held two days prior to the celebration of Guru
nanak Jayanti.

8. 4. Moreover, on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti, Sikh swear an oath
to follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev which involve
overcoming five emotions namely, lust, anger, greed, attachment
and pride.
3. Additionally, a Nagarkirtan is also organised one day before
the Guruparab celebrations.

9. 6. People also celebrate this auspicious day by beginning their day
early morning at 04:00 PM and singing prayers.
This particular time is also known as the Amrit Vela, post which the
devotees sing the Asa ki Vaar (morning hymns), do a recitation
of Kathas and eventually a Kirtan is done.
5. They are also reminded of the three guiding principles of Sikhism
set forth by Guru Nanak Dev and aim to follow them throughout their
life. The three guiding principles are- Naam japana (remembering
God all the time), kirat karna (being always ready to selflessly serve
people) and vand chhakana (sharing whatever you have with
people).