Guru Nanak Jayanti Festival

Guru nanak Jayanti is the most sacred festival of the Sikh community as it marks the birthday of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak. Almost all the festivals of the Sikh community falls nearly on the anniversaries of the ten gurus of the Sikh who have made the code of conduct for the living of Sikh life. The birthdays of the Gurus are celebrated as Gurupurabs. The first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak was born on 14th 1469, in the Shekhupura district currently in Pakistan. The place is also known as Nankana Sahib. The birthday of the guru falls on the full moon day of Kartik month, so according to Gregorian Calendar it falls around November but it varies from time to time.

The festival
The celebration is very similar to Gurupurabs. But the hymns of this festival different from the rest. Generally from two days earlier to the Guru Nanak Jayanti Akhanda Path starts in various Gurudwaras. Akhand Path refers to the non stop reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred bod of the sikhs for nearly 48 hours.

Celebrations and customs
A procession is organized on the day before the Jayanti by Panj Pyaras(literally five beloved ones). They, carrying the Sikh flag known as the Nishan Sahib and the palki of shri Guru garnth Sahib, lead the procession. In the procession singers follow by singing pious hymns. They are followed by Brass Band Players playing different tunes. Even Ghatka team display their special martial arts skills by doing special tough job sand movements using their swords. The procession is headed to the streets of the town which are very well decorated specially for this purpose. The streets are covered with buntings and gates are specially decorated to welcome this procession. The leaders of the procession spread the message of Guru Nanak as mentioned in the Guru Granth Sahib.

The day of Gurupurab begins early in the morning followed by singings of Asa-di-var. Hymns from Guru Granth Sahib are read followed by Katha. After that lectures and recitation of the poems are done praising their Guru. After that Langar or the free community lunch is organized by the Gurudwaras keeping belief that food should be offered with a spirit of devotion. The festival is celebrated by Sikh all over the world.