Guru Nanak Jayanti: The Guru has been influential in Indian culture since ancient times. Guru Nanak is the first in a series of ten Gurus of Sikhism. The tradition of a new path to God, salvation, or attaining self-realization begins with Guru Sahibji. Guruji has contributed to Indian religion, philosophy, and society.
Guru Nanak Jayanti, Guru Purab, or Prakash Parv, is of great importance to the people of the Sikh religion. On this day, Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. Every year, Sikhs celebrate Guru Nanak Dev’s birth anniversary on the full moon day of Kartik month.
On this day, the gurudwara organizes bhajans and kirtans, and people visit to pay obeisance. This year, we will celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti on 15 November 2024.Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught about religion, morality, and humanity in society.
Who was Guru Nanak Ji?
Guru Nanak Ji is said to have laid the foundation of Sikh society. He is also known as Nanak Dev, Baba Nanak, and Nanakshah. Guru Nanak Dev, the first Guru of the Sikh community and the founder of this religion.People in the Ladakh and Tibet regions also refer to him as Nanak Lama.
Apart from India, Guru Nanak Dev also preached in Afghanistan, Iran, and Arab countries. At the age of 16, he married a girl named Sulakhni and they had two sons, Srichand and Lakhmidas. He died in 1539 AD in the Pakistan area of Kartarpur.
Before his death, Guru Nanak Ji declared Bhai Lahna as his successor, who later became known as Guru Angad Dev. The Sikh community considered Guru Angad Dev as the second Guru of Sikhism. Let us tell you that Guru Nanak Dev devoted his life to the welfare of human society.
History of Guru Nanak Jayanti
Guru Nanak Dev ji was born in 1469 AD. Nanak ji was born in Kartik Purnima in 1469 in a village named Talwandi, situated on the banks of the river Ravi in the Punjab (Pakistan) region. However, Guru Nanak Ji was born in Nankana Sahib, in the Punjab province of Pakistan.
Now, this place is named after Nanak Dev. People from all over the country and abroad come here to visit the famous Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. According to popular belief, Guru Nanak Ji established the Sikh community. King Maharaja Ranjit Singh of the Sikh Empire built this Gurdwara.
How is Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrated?
There is a provision to celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti as Prakash Parv, the people of the Sikh religion. Sometime before this day, people recollect Guru Nanak Dev’s dedication to society by reciting the Paath.On this date, the Sikh community organized the Akhand Ramayan Path, in which they recited Guru Granth Sahib. On this date, all Sikhs organize Akhand Paath for about 48 hours and take out Prabhat Pheri a day before Guru Nanak Dev’s Jayanti.
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024 Date and Time
Guru Nanak Jayanti – 15 November 2024
Purnima Tithi Start – November 15, 2024 at 06:19 AM
Purnima Tithi Ends – November 16, 2024 at 02:58 AM
Significance of Guru Nanak Jayanti
Guru Nanak Ji’s teachings and sermons are still very popular and important among his followers. During his lifetime, Guru Nanak Dev established Sikhism based on spiritual education.
It is believed that Guru Nanak Dev founded Sikhism. Therefore, Sikhs consider him their first Guru. He had undertaken many journeys in his lifetime as a social reformer and religious reformer. During these journeys, Guru Nanak Ji did many vital works as a poet and Vishwa Bandhu.
He also played an essential role in removing the evils prevalent in the society. Despite marrying at just 16 and having a son named Lakhimdas, Guru Nanak Ji decided to leave his household life and travel to other countries, including India. He actively worked to guide people towards the right path through his religious teachings.
Religious significance of Guru Nanak Jayanti
The day of Guru Purnima is extraordinary for people who believe in Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev is believed to bless people on this day and is considered the best for receiving blessings. Many believe that meditating on Guru Nanak with a true heart, remembering him, and listening to Gurbani on this day can bring peace of mind.
Many people think that prayers and wishes fulfilled during Guru Nanak Jayanti are the result of mythological connections because they are made with a sincere heart. On this day, many people distribute prasad, halwa, biscuits, nankeen, sweets, fruits, etc., in the joy of the Guru Nanak festival.Many believe that Guru Nanak Dev wrote the Sikh prayer, Japji Sahib.
Guru Nanak Jayanti: Family background
Nanak Ji was born in the village named Talwandi on the banks of the river Ravi in Punjab (Pakistan) on Kartik Purnima in 1469. He was born into a Hindu family. His father’s name was Kalyan or Mehta Kalu Ji, and his mother’s name was Tripti Devi. At the age of 16, he married a girl named Sulakhni, a resident of Lakhoki in Gurdaspur district. They had two sons, Shri Chand and Lakhmi Chand.
After the birth of both sons, Guru Nanak Dev Ji set out on a pilgrimage with his four companions, Mardana, Lahna, Bala, and Ramdas. They started preaching by roaming around. By 1521, he completed three travel cycles, in which he visited the main places of India, Afghanistan, Persia, and Arabia. In Punjabi, people call these journeys “Udaasiyan.”
Guru Nanak Dev Ji considered idol worship meaningless and always opposed superstitions and bad customs. According to Nanak Ji, God is not outside but within us. Ibrahim Lodi even imprisoned him. Finally, Ibrahim lost the battle of Panipat, and Babar took control of the kingdom. Subsequently, he freed Babar from imprisonment.
Guru Nanak Ji’s ideas changed society. He established a city in Kartarpur (Pakistan) and built a Dharamshala. Nanak Ji died on 22 September 1539 AD. Before his death, Bhai Lahna made Guru Angad Dev his successor.
10 thoughts of Guru Nanak Dev
- Ego, jealousy, greed, and covetousness do not allow a man to remain a man. Therefore, one should stay away from these.
- One should spend one-tenth of his earnings on charity and one-tenth of his time in the worship of God or in the devotion of God.
- One should always keep doing his work without any tension and should always be happy.
- God is one and is present everywhere. Always worship the same God. God is present everywhere. Those who worship God do not have to fear anything.
- If someone needs money or any other help, we should always keep going.
- People should give the message of love, unity, equality, brotherhood, and spiritual light.
- Money should stay confined in the pocket, and it should not find a place in the heart.
- Walk on the path of truth and justice and follow good deeds.
- One should help people experiencing poverty and people in need with hard work and honesty.
- 10 Knowing the truth is more significant than anything, and living in truth is more significant than that.
Contribution of Guru Nanak to society
Guru Nanak Dev raised his voice against religious evils. He has made a unique contribution to society through his education and preaching, which is as follows.
- Guru Nanak Ji stressed the need for respect for society and women based on equality and brotherhood.
- He gave the message of ‘Naam Japo, Kirat Karo, Wand Chhako’ to the world. It means to chant the name of God, fulfil your responsibilities with honesty and hard work, and share whatever you earn with needy people.
- Guru Nanak Ji rejected rituals like yagya, religious baths, idol worship, severe penance, etc.
- He was an ideal person who lived like a saint all his life and spread the message of ‘karma’ to the whole world.
- He taught the world the ‘nirguna’ form of devotion to God.
- Apart from this, Guru Nanak Dev organized his followers as a community and created some rules for collective worship.
- Guru Nanak gave his followers the mantra ‘Ek Omkar’ and emphasized the importance of treating all human beings equally without any discrimination based on caste, creed, or gender.
Conclusion
In addition to this, Guru Nanak Jayanti is of great significance to the Sikh community of India. Guru Nanak Jayanti is on 15 November this year. The new moon day of Kartik month is when people celebrate Diwali, and fifteen days later, on the full moon day of Kartik, people celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti.
Sikh organizations plan and organize large-scale programs in advance, starting preparations a month before. On this day, members of the Sikh community enthusiastically participate in Prabhatpheris, taking out drums and cymbals. These days, people also enthusiastically participate in the service programs in Gurudwaras.
Frequently Asked Questions
Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab or Prakash Utsav, is an essential and meaningful festival in Sikhism that celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism.
Guru Nanak Ji (1469-1539) was a spiritual leader, philosopher, and poet who lectured on the message of equality, unity, and compassion. He rejected the caste system and emphasized the importance of selfless service, truth, and devotion to God.
Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated in November, on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Kartik month in the Hindu calendar. This year, it will be celebrated on November 15.
Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations started with Nagar Kirtan, which means devotional singing, and then langar (community kitchen), where in every Gurudwara, the Sikh people serve free food to all. People also organize Akhand Path, where they continuously recite the Guru Granth Sahib. After all that, they distribute Prasad.