Guru Nanak Jayanti

Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) and the surrounding Sacred Pool

Guru Nanak Jayanti is the celebration of the birthday of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism. It is celebrated on Kartik Poornima, usually in November, though the exact date each year varies according to the Indian lunar calendar.

This Guru Nanak Gurpurb, also known as Prakash Utsav, lasts three days. Two days before the birthday, Akhand Path, a 48-hour nonstop recital of Guru Granth Sahib, is performed at Gurdwaras.

One day before the birthday, a procession is organised which is led by the Panj Pyare (the Five Beloved Ones) and the Palki (Palanquin) of Guru Granth Sahib. It is followed by devotees singing hymns, brass bands and 'Gatka' (Sikh martial arts performance).

The Guru Nanak Jayanti day celebrations begin early in the morning with the singing of hymns. It is followed by Katha and Sikh religious discourses.

After Ardas and distribution of Karah Prasad is the Langar, wherein volunteers serve food to tens of thousands of devotees. The Langar is a symbolic expression of devotion, brotherhood and community service to show that everyone, irrespective of caste, creed or class, shares food.

Some Gurdwaras also hold night prayers which begin at sunset, followed by Kirtan till late night. At 1:20 am, the actual time of birth of Guru Nanak, the congregation sings Gurbani. The celebrations come to end around 2 am.

The Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, India, attracts a large number of devotees from all over the world.