India is a land of variety and diversity. Its various religions and cultures form the rich tapestry of this land. Followers of Sikhism can be found in India.
Guru Purab in Delhi is an important festival of the Sikhs. The festival is celebrated to honor the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first of ten Sikh Gurus. Guru Purab is also known as ‘Guru Nanak Jayanti’.
Apart from Guru Nanak Jayanti, Sikhs celebrate other Guru Purabs. These days celebrate either the birth or martyrdom of the other Sikh gurus like Guru Gobind Singh, Guru Tegh Bahadur, Guru Ram Das, Guru Angad Dev and Guru Har Kishan.
Description of Guru Purab:
Guru Nanak was the leader of Sikhs who enlightened people with his teachings and preaching. The festival celebrating his birth is Guru Purab, which is also known as ‘Prakash Utsav’. The celebration starts from three weeks before the main event. Processions, locally called ‘Nagar Kirtans’ , are taken out through the city streets. The holy book, ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ is recited in the gurudwaras; this recitation is called Akhand path. The recitation continues for three days and ends on the final day of the event.
On the main day of the event, the holy book is decorated with flowers for the final celebration. Special lunches, called ‘langar’, are served to the devotees as well as to all passers-by. Everyone, irrespective of caste, culture is invited to partake of this special food. This act reinforces Guru Nanak’s secular teachings.
The gurudwaras in Delhi are decorated with lights, which are the symbolic representation of ‘enlightenment’.
Time For Celebration of Guru Purab:
Guru Purab is celebrated every year in the month of Kartik according to the local calendar, which falls in the month of October/November. The festival is celebrated on the birthday of Guru Nanak. Tourist from different corners of the country gathers to experience the grand celebration.
