It’s an auspicious time of the year with almost every religion having quite a few important festivals in their calendar right now. For Sikhs as well, it is a busy time of the year with the festival of Guru Purab coming up. Guru Purab is a traditional festival celebrated by the Sikhs to celebrate the birth of their first Guru, Guru Nanak, who brought Sikhism into the world. Most of the Sikh festivals are always centred on the ten gurus who made the tenets of Sikhism. Their birthdays are called as Guru Purab and every Sikh household celebrates it with prayer and piety.
There has been some controversy over the actual date of his birthday. While some religious scholars maintain that his birthday on the full moon of Kartik Month of the Indian Calendar, some believe he was born on the day of Vaisakhi. However, both versions are accepted and celebrated with equal fervour.
How do the celebrations begin?
Sikhs take a lot of effort in preparing for Guru Purab as it is one of the most important festivals they have. Usually, they start with a 48 hour non-stop reading session of their holy book, before their birthday. This ritual is called the Akhand Path. They also celebrate it with Prabhat Pheris, an early morning procession of people singing religious songs and hymns. The special hymns celebrating Guru Nanak are usually called out during this auspicious time. There is another procession released before his birthday, known as NagarKirtan. The flag and emblem of the Sikhs are carried and displayed proudly in this procession. All the Sikh priests take extra effort in informing everyone of Guru Nanak’s message for humanity and spread his discourses as much as they can. Sikhs also celebrate their fervour by taking part in mock battles and singing hymns in praise of their Guru.
Why is it so important to the Sikhs?
Guru Nanak always promoted brotherhood among all fellow men and equality for all. During Guru Purab, all Sikhs consider it as a duty to serve the communal lunch to the poor and rich, all alike. They clean and cook the food selflessly out of pious duty. The Langar is always made in the spirit of service and selflessness, as it matches with the Sikh traditional beliefs of charity and giving away.
This inculcates benevolence in people and teaches them to be kind. Langar is offered to all communities irrespective of who you are and what God you follow. The principle of never refusing food to anyone with an empty stomach is followed and generously provided. Thus Guru Purab serves as a reminder to the Sikhs of the various teachings of their Founder and reminds them to stay kind and generous to themselves and their community as well as others.