The festivals Guru Nanak Jayanti is specially celebrated by the religions Sikhism. It is a celebration of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The all Sikh community across the world memorize this day by taking out processions, reciting hymns and reading the Guru Granth Sahib (a holy book). It is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of Kartik (month of October or November) according to the Hindu calendar. Guru Nanak was the first of the 10 Sikh gurus as well as the founder of the Sikhism religion.

Guru Nanak Jayanti 2012 in India: Traditionally, Guru Nanak Jayanti is a Sikh festival and declared as a Central Government Holiday or Gazetted Holiday in India. Current year this festival will be celebrated on 28th November 2012. The festival specially celebrates in those states where Sikhs live mainly like Punjab and Haryana. Celebration Day: Wednesday, 28/11/2012...

Guru Nanak was born on 14th April, 1469 A.D. in a small village of Talwandi, near about 30 miles from Lahore, in present Pakistan. He was born into a Kshatriya (warrior) family to Mehta Kalu Chand and Tripti Devi.

Since childhood, Nanak had a mystic disposition and used to talk to monk about God. He had a religious nature and a meditative mind. He spent most of his time in meditation and religious practices.

Nanak got married with Sulakhani and he had two sons, Srichand and Lakshmichand. But he left his family and went to forests for meditation and religious practices. Mardana was first faithful devotee of Guru Nanak.

By the age of 34, Nanak became a public preacher. He preached that there is no Hindu, and no Muslim, all are human being. His preaching’s highly impressed the public. Gradually he becomes famous for his activities on religious truth.

After that he had begun a journey with his devotees through out India to reach his teaching or preachers among the different type of religious followers. Nanak preached them about purity, justice, goodness and love of God. He composed beautiful mystic poems, which are contained in Japji. Through Japji, Nanak has given a vivid and concise description of the stages that a man must pass through to reach the final resting place or abode of eternal bliss.

At last stage of his life he retuned back to his home (the place Khartarpur) where his entire family resided together. His devotee, Mardana also lived with him. Guru Nanak died in 1538 A.D. at the age of 69.

The celebration is lasted for three days. There have a ritual in Sikhism to commence a religious procession from Gurudwaras (a temple) which is carried out in the early morning of previous day of the festival, and proceeds towards the localities. That is lead by the Panj Pyares, the five armed guards.

These guards head the procession carrying the Sikh flag known as the Nishan Sahib. They also carry the Guru Granth Sahib (a holy book) that is well set in a Palki (Palanquin) ornamented with flowers.

Devotees begin main celebration on the day of festival with the recitation of the holy book Guru Granth Sahib and the non-stop reading will be continue for 48 hours in the Gurudwara. This recitation of the Guru Granth is known as Akhand Path.

The Gurudwara hall also conducts the Kirtan-Darbars and Amrit Sanchar ceremonies. Free sweets and community lunches are offered to everyone irrespective of religious faith. Men, women, and children, participate in this Karseva as service to the community by cooking food and distributing it in the 'Guru ka Langar', with the traditional 'Karah Prasad'.

Celebration in India

The festival is celebrated with great religious fervor, dedication and devotion across India, mainly in Punjab and Haryana. The golden Temple in Amritsar is the main attraction during this festival.