Guru Nanak Jayanti: A Celebration of Eternal Light and Universal Brotherhood

Commemorating the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru and founder of Sikhism, whose message of equality, service, and devotion continues to inspire humanity.

By Ravi Rohmetra

Guru Nanak Gurpurab, also known as Guru Nanak Prakash Utsav, celebrates the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. One of the most revered and important Sikh Gurus, and the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak is deeply venerated by the Sikh community.

This is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism, or Sikhi. The festivities in the Sikh religion revolve around the anniversaries of the ten Sikh Gurus, who were responsible for shaping the beliefs and values of the Sikh faith. Their birthdays, known as Gurpurabs, are occasions for celebration and prayer among Sikhs.

The Birth of Guru Nanak, by the artist Sardul Singh in 1910.

Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born on Puranmashi of Kattak in 1469, according to the Vikram Samvat calendar, in Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present-day Shekhupura District of Pakistan, now known as Nankana Sahib. It is a gazetted holiday in India.

The controversial Bhai Bala Janamsakhi claims Guru Nanak was born on the Full Moon (Pooranmashi) of the Indian lunar month Kartik. The Sikhs have been celebrating Guru Nanak’s Gurpurab around November for this reason, and it has become deeply ingrained in Sikh tradition.

However, some scholars and organizations believe the birthday should be celebrated on Vaisakhi, which falls on 27th November according to the original tradition. Yet, many people and institutions prefer to keep the traditional date by celebrating on the Full Moon Day (Pooranmashi or Purnima) of the lunar month Kartik. The Nanakshahi Calendar follows the Gregorian calendar and celebrates it on Kartik Purnima.

This difference in observance arises from the mismatch between solar and lunar calendars. The challenge in aligning them comes from the fact that the three natural units of time—the day, the month, and the year—are based on different movements: the Earth’s rotation about its axis, the Moon’s revolution around the Earth, and the Earth’s revolution around the Sun. Their periods are not integer multiples of each other.

A solar year spans approximately 365.25 days, while a lunar month is around 29.53 days. The sum of twelve lunar months falls short of a solar year by about 11 days, 1 hour, 31 minutes, and 12 seconds. Over three years, this discrepancy equals nearly one month. The Moon’s orbit takes about 27.3 days, causing it to lag behind the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, resulting in a 10.87-day difference between a lunar year (354.372 days) and a solar year (365.2422 days).

Guru Nanak’s Teachings

Guru Nanak preached that any person could connect with God through sincere worship and a clear conscience. His teachings are compiled in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs.

The Festival

Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, is the birthplace of Guru Nanak.

The celebration is generally similar for all Sikhs, though the hymns and traditions may vary. The festivities usually commence with Prabhat Pheris—early morning processions that begin at the Gurdwaras and move through localities singing hymns.

Two days before the birthday, an Akhand Path (a forty-eight-hour, non-stop reading of the Guru Granth Sahib) is held in the Gurdwaras. The day prior to the birthday, a grand Nagar Kirtan (religious procession) is organized. This procession is led by the Panj Pyaras (the Five Beloved Ones). They head the procession carrying the Sikh flag, known as the Nishan Sahib, and the Palki (palanquin) of Guru Granth Sahib. They are followed by groups of singers and devotees singing hymns in chorus.

Brass bands play different tunes, and Gatka teams display their swordsmanship through various martial arts and mock battles using traditional weapons. The procession winds through the streets, decorated with banners, flags, and flowers, spreading the message of Guru Nanak.

On the day of the Gurpurab, celebrations begin early in the morning at about 4 to 5 a.m., known as Amrit Vela. The day starts with the singing of Asa Ki Vaar (morning hymns), followed by Katha (recitation and explanation of the scriptures) and Kirtan (devotional singing) in praise of the Guru.

Following this is the Langar, a special community meal organized at Gurdwaras by volunteers. The idea behind the free communal meal is that everyone—irrespective of gender, caste, class, or creed—should be offered food in the spirit of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion).

Night prayer sessions are also held in many Gurdwaras. These begin around sunset with Rehras (evening prayer), followed by Kirtan that continues till late at night. The congregation starts singing Gurbani around 1:20 a.m.—the actual time of Guru Nanak’s birth—and the celebrations culminate at about 2 a.m.

Guru Nanak Gurpurab is celebrated by the Sikh community across the world and is one of the most significant festivals in the Sikh calendar. The celebrations are especially vibrant in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and in places like Pakistan and England. Even many Sindhi communities celebrate this holy occasion.

Marking the auspicious day, the Punjab Government has announced the installation of academic chairs dedicated to the great saint in 11 universities.