Mumbai: Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab or Prakash Parv, is one of the most significant occasions for Sikhs worldwide. It marks the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first Sikh Guru.
Celebrated annually on the full moon of Kartik (usually falling in October or November), this year’s Gurpurab is on 15 November, commemorating his 555th birth anniversary. On this day, Sikhs globally gather in Gurdwaras, homes, and community spaces to reflect on his teachings and honour his legacy.
The celebrations are filled with vibrant traditions and a deep sense of unity. Gurdwaras are beautifully decorated, hymns resonate through the air, and communities participate in processions and communal meals. However, beyond the rituals, this day emphasises Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s powerful messages of love, equality, and compassion.
In the days leading up to Guru Nanak Jayanti, Gurdwaras host an ‘Akhand Path,’ a continuous 48-hour reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, which culminates on the morning of the day itself, setting the tone for the day’s main celebrations. One of the highlights is the ‘Nagar Kirtan.’
The Nagar Kirtan is the soul of Guru Nanak Jayanti festivities. The Guru Granth Sahib is carried in a palanquin adorned with flowers, followed by community members singing hymns and chanting prayers in devotion. People of all ages join in, walking........