The founder of Sikhism got celebrated with great religious devotion across the state today, on the occasion of the 548th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. This sacred festival of the Sikh community is celebrated all across Punjab with fanfare. It falls on the full moon day in the month of Kartik (October – November on the Lunar Calendar).
Guru Nanak ji, was the first of the 10 Sikh gurus. He was born in Talwandi, a village in the Sheikhupura district, near Lahore, Pakistan, on April 15, 1469. It is believed that in 1496 he got enlightenment and preached peace and religious harmony thereafter.
Gurupurab continues 3 days. ‘Akhand Path’ is the first day of the celebration, falls a day prior to Gurpurab where for 48-hours, non-stop, verses from the Guru Granth Sahib are chanted. A ‘Nagar Kirtan’ is organised. The followers in the procession sing and dance to disseminate the gurus messages, carrying a Sikh flag, which is known as the Nishan Sahib. A Palki (palanquin) of Guru Granth Sahib is carried while marching through streets barefeet. The procession is led by the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones).
On the main festival day people sing devotional hymns (Asa-di-Var) and set out for Prabhat Pheris early morning at dawn in gurdwaras. After the morning hymns, there is a ‘Katha’ session, in which teachings of Guru Nanak from holy scriptures are read to followers. After the Katha, the rituals end with ‘Kirtan’,in which they sing songs in praise of the guru.
