Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, is one of the most significant celebrations in Sikhism. It marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith. This auspicious day is observed with immense devotion and reverence by Sikhs worldwide, as it celebrates the life and teachings of Guru Nanak, who is revered by all faiths, Hindus and Muslims included, as a spiritual visionary and a messenger of peace, equality, and compassion.
The Birth of Guru Nanak
According to most traditional janamsakhis (birth stories), Guru Nanak was born on April 15, 1469, in the village of Rai-Bhoi Di Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, located in present-day Pakistan). Guru Nanak’s birth is commemorated on the third day of the bright lunar fortnight in the month of Vaisakh (April). His birth is recorded in several important Sikh texts, including the Puratan Janamsakhi, Miharban Janamsakhi, and Gyan-ratanavali. These texts confirm that Nanak’s birth took place in Vaisakh, which aligns with the solar calendar of that time.
However, some sources, such as the Gurbilas Patshahi 6 written in 1718, suggest that Nanak’s birth occurred during the Kattak month (November) of the Nanakshahi calendar. Despite these varying accounts, the majority of historical and contemporary records indicate that Guru Nanak was born in April. The Guru’s birth is thus celebrated in Vaisakh, with the first documented celebration taking place in Nankana Sahib in 1868 CE.
Initially, during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1815, the festival commemorating Guru Nanak’s birthday was celebrated in April. This was based on the traditional date of his birth. The celebrations took place at his birthplace, Nankana Sahib, which is now in Pakistan. Over time, the date of the celebration shifted to the full moon day of the Kattak month (Kartik Purnima) in the Sikh calendar, which usually falls in November.
Early Life of Guru Nanak
Guru Nanak was born into a Hindu Khatri family. His father, Kalyan Chand Das Bedi, commonly known as Mehta Kalu, was a patwari (accountant) in Talwandi, and his mother, Mata Tripta, was a deeply pious woman. Nanak’s early life was marked by a profound sense of spirituality, and even as a young child, he showed a keen interest in the deeper questions of life. His sister, Nanaki, played a significant role in his upbringing, and she was instrumental in his early education.
According to traditional accounts, Guru Nanak ji showed no interest in the formalities of religious rituals in his early years, which led his parents to worry about his future. Despite this, he displayed a remarkable wisdom, often questioning societal norms and religious practices. He famously declared that there is no Hindu and no Muslim, laying the foundation for the core Sikh principle of oneness of humanity.
“Awwal Allah noor upaya, kudrat ke sab bande. Ek noor te sab jag upjaya, kaun bhale kau mande”
(First, Allah created the Light; then, by His Creative Power, He made all mortal beings. From the One Light, the entire universe welled up, So who is good, and who is bad?)
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Granth Sahib Ji Ang 1349.
Nanak’s Journeys of Spiritual Enlightenment (Udasis)
As a young man, Guru Nanak went on several spiritual journeys, known as Udasis, each covering a direction of the compass. These journeys, which spanned different regions and cultures, were a quest for spiritual knowledge and a means to spread his message of equality, love, and devotion to God.
Guru Nanak’s First Udasi (1500-1506 AD) took him to several regions of India, including Sultanpur, Banaras (Varanasi), Delhi, and Sialkot (modern-day Pakistan). During this period, he gained significant exposure to different cultures, religions, and philosophies. Guru Nanak’s teachings during these travels emphasized universal brotherhood and the need for spiritual awakening over ritualistic practices.
His Second Udasi (1506-1513 AD) saw him traveling further, reaching as far as Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and the Dhanasri Valley. The message of Guru Nanak resonated with people across different lands, and he established a strong spiritual following that laid the foundation for what would later become Sikhism.
The Fourth Udasi (1519-1521 AD) was particularly notable as it took Guru Nanak to Mecca and other countries, where he interacted with scholars and pilgrims, further solidifying his stature as a global spiritual leader. His travels brought him in contact with people from all walks of life, from Hindu holy men to Muslim mystics, and his message transcended religious boundaries.
A verse authored by him stated in the Japji Sahib states that he visited several places in “nau-khand” (‘the nine regions of the earth’), presumably the major Hindu and Muslim pilgrimage centres. He is recognized as the second most travelled person after the famous Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta (1304-1369).
The Teachings of Guru Nanak
Guru Nanak Dev ji formalised the three key pillars of the Sikh faith:
Naam Japo: Recite the name of God (Simran).
Kirat Karo: Live an honest life in the service of others, and
Vand ke Chhakko: Share your food and belongings with everyone irrespective of caste, creed, color or gender (Share and Consume together).
Guru Nanak’s teachings were revolutionary for his time, emphasizing a direct connection with the Divine and a rejection of caste, ritualistic practices, and superstitions. His hymns, known as Gurbani, form the core of Sikh spiritual practice. Some of his key teachings include:
Ek Onkar (Oneness of God): Guru Nanak emphasized that God is one, formless, and omnipresent. His famous words, “Ek Onkar” (There is only one God), are recited by Sikhs at the beginning of every prayer and are a fundamental principle of Sikhism.
Equality of All People: Guru Nanak rejected the caste system, gender discrimination, and social inequalities. He taught that all human beings, regardless of their religion, race, or gender, are equal in the eyes of God.
Seva and Simran: Guru Nanak advocated the importance of selfless service (seva) and remembrance of God’s name (simran) as the path to spiritual liberation.
Guru Nanak’s Final Years and Legacy
Guru Nanak spent his last years in Kartarpur, where he established a community and led a life of simplicity and devotion. He appointed Guru Angad as his successor, ensuring the continuity of his teachings. Guru Nanak passed away on September 22, 1539, at the age of 70. According to Sikh tradition, when his body was uncovered after his death, there was no physical form, only flowers. This symbolic act reflected his belief in the transcendence of the soul and the eternal nature of the divine.
This also bridged the beliefs between Hindus and Muslims, as Guru Nanak was revered by both the disciplines and both follow distinct tradition upon passing. With one favoring cremation while the other buries the body, both the disciplines were able to pay homage to Guru ji. The Hindus set their flowers alight while the Muslims buried theirs.
Guru Nanak’s teachings laid the foundation for the Sikh faith, and over the centuries, Sikhism has grown into a major world religion. His emphasis on equality, service, and devotion continues to inspire millions of people across the world.
Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti Celebrations
Sikh devotees also flock to Nankana Sahib in Pakistan to participate in three-day festivities of the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
The city and its outskirts are adorned with festive illuminations, creating a celebratory atmosphere. The illumination lights, showcasing various designs, are installed along roads and around Gurudwara Janam Asthan (Birthplace).
Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti is also celebrated with great enthusiasm at Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) around the world, where special prayers and processions are held. The celebrations begin early in the morning with Amrit Vela (typically believed to be early morning before sunrise; starting from 3 AM), the early morning prayers, followed by Kirtan (devotional singing) and the recitation of Gurbani. Processions known as Nagar Kirtans take place in many cities, with Sikhs singing hymns of praise to Guru Nanak and spreading his message of peace and unity.
The day is also marked by acts of seva (selfless service), with Sikhs distributing food (known as langar) to people from all walks of life. This practice reflects Guru Nanak’s teaching that service to others is a path to spiritual fulfillment.
Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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