Friday, November 18, 2016 • Vol. 35, No. 47
November 18, 2016 27 Gurpurab Special
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Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti
T
he birthday of the divine guru of Sikh community, Guru Nanak, is celebrated as the Guru Nanak Jayanti, and is one of the sacred festivals in Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Founder of Sikhism) was born on 14th April 1469 RaiBhoi-di Talwandi in the present Shekpura District of Pakistan now known as Nankana Sahib. The occasion of his birthday is celebrated every year on the Kartik Poornima tithi as per the Lunar calendar while according to the Gregorian calendar it falls in the month of November. The festival is usually of three days, two days before the birthday; Akhand Path
(reading of Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs) is practiced. A procession led by the Panj Pyaras (Five Beloved Ones),carrying the Sikh flag known as Nishan Sahib and the Palki(palanquin), of Sri Guru Grant Sahib, is organized one day before the birthday. This procession is accompanied by singers singing hymns, Gatka teams (martial arts) performing ability and art, bands playing devotional tunes, preachers, and innumerous followers. The day of the birthday is started with Asa-di-Var (morning hymns) and other hymns from the holy book followed by Kathav (exposition of the scripture). Finally the celebra-
tion ends with the serving of Langaar (community lunch) in which food is served to rich and poor people without any discrimination in the name of religion, color or gender. Guru Nanak passed away in 1539, leaving behind a revolutionary movement participated by all religions from every part of the country to remove discrimination’s and sectarian conventions. Thus all the citizens of India should equally participate and contribute in the path of secularity and equality. -festivalsadvices.com
All Religions lead us to universal GOD... May he bless you on this day and Always!!!
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016 • ONLINE EDITION: WWW.INDOAMERICAN-NEWS.COM