About Guru Nanak Jayanti
The Sikh holy scriptures are called the Guru Granth Sahib (Guru means divinely inspired teacher; Granth means book; Sahib means revered). A more ancient name is Adi Granth, which means first or original book. The Guru Granth Sahib was compiled by the fifth Sikh guru, Arjan, and revised by Gobind Singh, the tenth guru. It contains hymns composed by the gurus.
Sikhism resembles both Islam and Hinduism, but is not directly associated with either.
Similar to Hindus, Sikhs believe that the human soul progresses through a series of births and rebirths and that its ultimate salvation occurs when it breaks free from the cycle. Sikhs, however, reject the Hindu pantheon and do not participate in bathing rituals.
Instead they worship one God who they believe is the same God of all religions, including Allah of Islam.
Unlike Muslims, however, they shun fasting and pilgrimages.
Sikhs do not have an established priesthood. Although individual gurdwaras may employ specially trained people to care for the Guru Granth Sahib, all Sikhs are free to read from their holy scriptures either in the temple or in their homes.
In addition, there is no one person to whom all Sikhs look for guidance in religious matters. The Sikh community is called the Panth, and collective decisions may be made by the Panth for the entire community.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhad Committee, whose members are elected, provides guidance for all the gurdwaras in the Punjab. Individual local gurdwaras elect their own committees to oversee local matters.
Although he was born into a Hindu family, Nanak was influenced by Islamic teachings, particularly those of the Sufis, a mystical Islamic sect.
His curiosity about spiritual matters was evident at a very young age, and by the time he was thirty, he had experienced a mystical encounter with God.
Legend says that he was taken to God by the angels and that he stayed in God's presence for three days. His absence from the village triggered rumors that he had drowned in a stream where he was last seen bathing.
After learning that he had been chosen as a prophet, Nanak reappeared on earth and set off on his mission to spread God's word.
He went to Tibet, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Bangladesh, and Mecca, proclaiming his message to both Hindus and Muslims, whom he hoped to unite.
He wanted to abolish caste distinctions and to promote more liberal social practices, encouraging his followers to work hard and pursue normal family relations.
His teachings, in the form of poems and hymns, are preserved in the Holy Book known as the GURU GRANTH SAHIB .
Those who followed him became known as Sikhs, from the Sanskrit word meaning "disciple."
Nanak's birthday is by far the most important of the Sikh gupurbs or festivals to celebrate the birthdays of the gurus; it is comparable to the birthday of Jesus for Christians.
The celebration frequently lasts for three days, during which every Sikh family visits its local gurdwara or temple.
In the village where Nanak was born, now known as Nankana Sahib, there is a shrine and aholy tank where thousands of Sikhs congregate for a huge fair and festival.
In India, there is a procession the day before Nanak's birthday, led by the Panj Pyare-five baptized Sikhs who represent the Khalsa, or spiritual/military brotherhood that is open to all baptized Sikhs (see VAISAKH).
They carry ceremonial swords and the GURU GRANTH SAHIB on a covered litter, followed by schoolchildren, scouts, students, and adults singing hymns.
The procession winds through the streets and ends outside the gurdwara. Other activities during the festival include prayers, lectures, the singing of hymns, and the distribution of free meals.
In Great Britain, the celebration is a mixture of religious and social activities that includes fairs, games, and stalls offering foods and sweets.
The route of the procession is decorated with flags, flowers and religious posters.
Banners are also posted depicting various aspects of Sikhism.
On the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti, celebrations begin early in the morning at around 4 or 5 a.m. Morning hymns, known as Asa-di-Var, and hymns from the Sikh scriptures are sung, which are then followed by Katha, or the exposition of the scripture.
The guards are followed by local bands playing brass bands and a team of singers singing shabads (religious hymns).
While the procession passes the local homes, the devotees sing the chorus and offer sweets and tea to the people in the procession. ‘Gatka’ teams (martial arts) display mock-battles with the traditional weapons.
Guru Nanak ji is the first of the 10 Sikh gurus. Nanak used to sit with holy men, pandits and mullahs and spend hours with them in long discussions.
Nanak was a great seer, saint, mystic, prolific poet and unique singer of God’s laudation. His only message was to spread love, peace, truth and renaissance.
Even today, Sikhs all across the world practice Guru Nanak’s preaching to reaffirm their belief in the founder’s teachings. Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated with pride, honor and great respect.
“There is but One God. His name is Truth; He is the Creator. He fears none; he is without hate. He never dies; He is beyond the cycle of births and death. He is self-illuminated. He is realized by the kindness of the True Guru.
He was True in the beginning; He was True when the ages commenced and has ever been True. He is also True now.”
“If there is one God, then there is only His way to attain Him, not another.
One must follow that way and reject the other. Worship not him who is born only to die, but Him who is eternal and is contained in the whole universe.”
“There are worlds and more worlds below them, and there are a hundred thousand skies over them. No one has been able to find the limits and boundaries of God.
If there be any account of God, then alone the mortal can write the same; but God’s account does not finish, and the mortal himself dies while still writing.”
Guru Nanak Jayanti is one of the oldest festivals of the Sikh religion. It is celebrated on the birthday of the first Sikh guru after whom the festival is named.
The day falls on the first full moon in the month of Kartik, which in the Gregorian calendar falls in the month of November. Since it is based on a lunar cycle, its exact date varies from year to year.
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