Guru Nanak Jayanti: How The Sacred Legacy of Langar Seva Was Started by the First Sikh Guru

Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Guru Nanak Gurpurab or Prakash Utsav, marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and a saint-philosopher whose teachings reshaped spiritual thought and social reform in India. This year, the festival falls on November 5, 2025, marking the 556th birth anniversary of the revered Guru. The day stands as a reminder of Guru Nanak’s timeless message of unity, equality, compassion, and service to humanity. Across India and the world, devotees commemorate this sacred occasion through hymns, prayers, processions, and the selfless act of Langar Seva a community meal that has become one of the strongest symbols of equality and humanity in Sikhism.

Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with great devotion across gurdwaras. Two days before the festival, devotees begin with Akhand Path, a 48-hour continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhs. A day prior to Gurpurab, the streets come alive with Nagarkirtan, a devotional procession led by the Palki Sahib a palanquin carrying the sacred scripture. The faithful accompany the procession while singing hymns and performing Gatka, a traditional Sikh martial art.

On the main day, the celebrations begin as early as 3 a.m. during Amrit Vela, a spiritually significant time believed to be ideal for meditation and prayer. The early morning prayers include the singing of hymns, Katha (discourse), and Kirtan (devotional music). The day culminates in Langar Seva, a sacred community meal organized in every gurdwara, serving people of all backgrounds without any discrimination. As night falls, many gurdwaras hold special prayer gatherings, where devotees recite hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib until the early hours, around 1:20 a.m. the believed time of Guru Nanak’s birth.

History of Langar Seva

The tradition of Langar Seva traces its roots back to 1481, when Guru Nanak Dev Ji, as a young boy, challenged the social hierarchies that dominated society. According to Sikh history, his father once gave him money to conduct a trade and learn the ways of business. However, young Nanak used that money to feed a group of hungry saints instead, declaring it as a “true business” one that serves humanity. This act marked the beginning of Langar, a concept that broke caste and class barriers and symbolized the belief that “all are equal before God.”

Through Langar, Guru Nanak Dev Ji sought to create a space where people of all castes, religions, and social statuses could sit together and share a meal. It was not just a charitable act but a revolutionary social reform, dismantling the rigid hierarchies of his time. The Guru’s message was simple yet profound no one should go hungry, and no one should be treated as inferior.

In Sikhism, Langar is far more than just a free meal; it is a spiritual discipline and a moral duty. It embodies the principles of Seva (selfless service), Equality, and Community Building. Every individual, regardless of wealth or status, sits together in a line called the ‘Pangat’, signifying that all are equal before the Guru. Volunteers known as Sevadars prepare, cook, and serve the meals, often in massive numbers that feed thousands daily at prominent gurdwaras like the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

The food is prepared with purity and gratitude, seen as a blessing from the Guru, not merely sustenance. The collective act of cleaning, cooking, and serving symbolizes humility and shared responsibility key elements of the Sikh way of life. Through Langar, the Sikh community demonstrates how compassion, when institutionalized through faith, can become a powerful social equalizer.

Over five centuries later, the essence of Langar Seva continues to define Sikhism’s humanitarian spirit. From local gurdwaras feeding the poor to international relief efforts during crises such as the pandemic or natural disasters the Sikh community has shown how Guru Nanak’s teachings transcend religion and geography. Langar has become a global symbol of kindness and inclusivity, reminding humanity of the power of collective goodness.

As devotees celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025, the festival is more than just a day of prayer it is a living embodiment of his vision for a just and compassionate world. The tradition of Langar, started by Guru Nanak himself, remains a timeless reminder that the true path to spirituality lies in serving others without discrimination. In every morsel of food served and every act of Seva performed, the message of Guru Nanak continues to resonate that the greatest worship of God is through selfless service, equality, and love for all beings.