Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 in India

Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. It is observed on the full moon day of Kartik (Kartik Purnima) and involves prayers, hymns, processions, and community service. The festival emphasizes Guru Nanak's teachings of equality, compassion, and devotion to God.

Guru Nanak Jayanti: A Public Holiday?

Guru Nanak Jayanti is a gazetted public holiday in India. On this day, government offices, schools, and many businesses across the country remain closed, allowing individuals to participate in the festivities and reflect on Guru Nanak's teachings.

Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. He was born in 1469 in Talwandi, now in Pakistan, and is revered as a great spiritual leader and social reformer. Guru Nanak's teachings focused on equality, unity, and devotion to one God. He opposed discrimination based on caste, creed, or gender, emphasizing selfless service and honest living. His teachings, preserved in the Guru Granth Sahib, form the foundation of Sikhism.

Guru Nanak Jayanti Celebration in India

Guru Nanak Jayanti is observed with devotion and joy across India, especially in Punjab and areas with a significant Sikh population. The celebrations often start two days before with an Akhand Path, a continuous, 48-hour reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, held in Gurdwaras. On the day before Gurpurab, Nagar Kirtans, or religious processions, are organized. These processions, led by the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones), feature devotional singing, martial arts performances, and the Guru Granth Sahib carried on a decorated palanquin.

On the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti, devotees visit Gurdwaras for special prayers and hymns. Langars, or community meals, are organized at Gurdwaras, offering free food to people of all religions, symbolizing equality and selfless service. Many people also participate in acts of charity and kindness, reflecting Guru Nanak's teachings.

Guru Nanak Jayanti holds deep spiritual and cultural significance, marking a day to honor Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teachings of love, compassion, equality, and selfless service. His principles, rooted in unity and humility, remain timeless and inspire people to live meaningful lives. For Sikhs, it is a time for prayer, reflection, and connection with their faith, while for others, it symbolizes India's cultural harmony and diversity. Celebrated with respect and enthusiasm across communities, the festival encourages kindness, tolerance, and a sense of shared humanity.

Guru Nanak Jayanti Observances