Guru Purab - Guru Nanak's Birthday

The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak -the first or the founder guru of the Sikhs, is celebrated with great fervour on the full moon day of Kartika (October-November). Guru Purab, also known as Jyototsava is one of the most sacred festivals of the Sikhs. 

Guru Nanak was born in 1469 at Talwandi about 45 kms away from Lahore and is now known as Nankana Sahib. Nanak was a great reformer, preacher and a saint. In Sikhism he tried to harmonize both Hinduism and Islam. He never believed in cast-distinction and liberalized social practices. He traveled widely and preached the name of God as a potent means of spiritual realization. God's name and its repetition helps us to develop the best in us. A true Sikh strives not for salvation or paradise but to see God in the form of love. Guru Nanak was followed by nine other Gurus, in succession under whom Sikhism gradually developed. Other Gurus are also commemorated on other Guru Purabs.

At Nankana Sahib, there is a beautiful Gurudwara, and a holy tank or sarovar.  On Guru Purab, a grand fair and festival is held here, and Sikhs in thousand congregate here from India and abroad.  Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture, is continuously read and recited in the Gurudwaras ('Akhand path') all over the country, lamps are lighted, processions are taken out, free langars (meals) are arranged and prasad (holy food) is distributed. Pandals are set up in various places and 'prasad' is distributed. Guru Purab celebrations at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab is impressive.