The 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 1469 AD at Talwandi 30 miles from Lahore in the present Shekpura district of Pakistan now known as Nankana Sahib.Guru Nanak Jayanti
The occasion of his birthday is celebrated with devotion and dedication every year on the Kartik Purnima tithi as per the Lunar calendar while according to the Gregorian calendar it falls in the month of november.
The celebration of three days begin, two days before the birthday; Akhand Path (reading of Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of Sikhs) is practiced. Guru Nanak JayantiA 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). Guru Nanak Jayanti
Finally the celebration 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 sex.
