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Gurunanak Jayanti

Gurunanak jayanti is one of the most important festivals of Sikhs. It is celebrated in accordance to mark the birth of Gurunanak dev Ji, the first guru of Sikhs. Gurunanak Jayanti is commonly known as Gurupurab in Punjab. As the history goes, the invasions of rulers from outside India started threatening the culture of the people of India. Punjab also became one of the areas, which suffered these fanatics of conversion. a need of new systems, containing truth, yet free from false and rigid practices of selfish intents, was strongly felt. Thus was born the religion of Sikhism.

Born in a Kshatriya or Warrior family Guru Nanak was astute. He thoroughly studied Islam and Hinduism. He got married at an early age but soon abandoned his family and became ascetic. Right from his childhood, he was seen, being indulged in saintly flavor. He was known for giving away all his money to the needy and poor. Gurunank’s first teaching in the holy book-grant sahib is-ek Om Kaar, which means-god is one. He strongly insisted and preached that god never discriminates between people. God is the only truth. He is formless he is fearless. Gurunanak composed a good number of hymns n devotional songs.

On Gurupurab day, Sikhs visit the gurudwaras in the morning to offer prayers .the hymns are sung, collectively followed by the distribution of parshad. After this, a community meal, called langar is served, where people have to sit on floor together and eat. This is to remind Gurunank’s teaching that all human beings are equal for god. In the evening, the lights are lit and gurudwaras are thoroughly decorated. Gurunanak jayanti marks the faith in humanity and God.

Tolevandi, a place which is 30 miles away from Lahore, on this very momentous day witnessed he birth of Guru Nanak who made the base on which the superstructure of Sikhism has been laid in the year 1469 A.D. in the month of Kartik which generally extends from October to November. An excellent poet and a prolific singer by nature, Guru Nanak Dev is considered to be an epitome of acumen, circumspection and practicality.