Guru Nanak Jayanti is one of the most cherished festivals in Sikh religion and followers from across the world celebrate this festival with utmost enthusiasm. This festival comes around Diwali, which means between October or November.
Since Diwali is over, the festival is again around the corner and we will learn the date, significance and history of Guru Nanak Jayanti in this article. Stick to the end to learn about the controversy to fix a date for the festival.
Why and When is Guru Nanak Jayanti Celebrated?
Also known as Gurpurab, Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birthday of the first guru of Sikhism: Guru Nanak Dev ji. However, there is a lot of controversy on the date when this festival should be celebrated.
According to Vikran Samvat Calendar, Guru Nanak Dev was born on Puranmashi of Kattak in 1469. However, Bhai Bala Janamsakhi claims that he was on the Full Moon (Pooranmashi) of the Indian Lunar Month Kartik.
In addition to this, some scholars suggest that the birthday should be celebrated on Vaisakhi, which falls on 14th April according to the Nanakshahi Calendar.
Since most people agree on the full moon of Kartik month, it is celebrated on the same day.
Guru Nanak Jayanti Date 2022: Tuesday, 8th November, 2022.
How is Guru Nanak Jayanti Celebrated?
Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated in 3 different levels on three days. It means that the celebrations for this festival starts three days prior to the main event. Here is how each day is celebrated by Sikh community:
1. Prabhat Pheri & Akhand Path
Two days before the birthday, people take our Prabhat Pheri which are simple morning processions across the local area while people sing hymns. This process is followed by Akhand Path which is a 48 hours of non-stop reading of the holy book.
2. Nagar Kirtan
The next day witnesses a Nagar Kirtan which is also a procession that begins early in the morning. It is led by Panj Pyaras carrying Nishan Sahib and Palki of Guru Granth Sahib. It is also accompanied by brass bands and Gatka performers who display their martial art skills.
3. Gurpurab
The final day of Guru Nanak Jayanti again begins at 4 in the morning which is also termed as Amrit Vela. It witnesses Asaa ki Vaar followed by Katha and Kirtan. Once these things end, langar, a special community lunch is served among the devotees. At sunset, Rehras is recited followed by Kirtan which stays active until late at night.
Then at 01:20 A.M., devotees start singing Gurbani as it is said to be the actual birth time of Guru Nanak Dev ji.
Conclusion
This is how people celebrate the birth anniversary of the first Guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who established the youngest religion of Sikhism. It is the 553rd anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji and we expect nothing short of the celebrations which will be seen by the entire country.
