Guru Nanak Jayanti festival commemorates the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev the founder of the Sikh faith.Guru Nanak is the founder of Sikhism. Sikhism is still based on his teachings and those of the nine Sikh Gurus who followed him.
"There is one God, Eternal Truth is His Name; Maker of all things, fearing nothing and at enmity with nothing; Timeless is His Image; Not begotten, being of His own being; By the grace of the Guru made known to men. As he was in the beginning, the Truth; So throughout the ages He ever has been, the Truth; So even now he is the Truth Immanent; So for ever and ever, He shall be Truth Eternal." These words express the basic belief of Sikhs.
Guru Nanak Dev was born in the Hindu Month of Kartik (October-November) in 1469 AD at Talvandi, almost 30 miles from Lahore.
Guru Nanak was born into a Kshatriya family and was a son of an accountant. Even as a child, Nanak had a mystic disposition and had a contemplative mind.
He was of a pious nature and started meditation and spiritual practices very early in life. As a seven year old boy, he questioned his Hindi teacher about ‘knowledge’ and how will it help to attain freedom.
His father then tried to divert his mind to worldly affairs and asked him to cultivate land and tend the cattle. He also put him in charge of a shop but all his efforts failed as his only work was meditation and praying to God. Guru Nanak eventually married and had two sons but he left his family life and became an ascetic.
The festivities in the Sikh religion revolve around the anniversaries of the 10 Sikh Gurus. These Gurus were responsible for shaping the beliefs of the Sikhs. Their birthdays, known as Gurupurabs.
On the day before the birthday, processions are held in India and in some parts of England. These are led by five people representing the original Panj Piare (Five Beloved Ones) and followed by singers, musicians and even teams of people demonstrating martial arts. The Gurdwaras (places where Sikhs go to pray) are decorated with flowers, flags and lights. Sikhs join together to sing, pray and eat together.
On the morning of the anniversary celebrations begin early, at around 4 or 5am, with hymns sung from the Guru Granth Sahib, poems recited in praise of the Gurus and lectures on Sikhism.
After this, a sweet-tasting food (Karah Prasad) is blessed and served. It is made from semolina or wheat flour, sugar and ghee (clarified butter). The congregation then share a langar (meal) from the free kitchen. Celebrations may also include fireworks.
This day is also close to my heart because
my fathers birthday birthday too falls on this day ............
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA"
"WE LOVE U PAPA"
"U R THE BEST FATHER IN THE WORLD"
Regards
Yours daughters
Chhavi & Shubhi
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