Mumbai Sikh Community celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti – birthday of Guru Nanak Devji today with great pomp

Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated across the country to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji, who found sikkism and is considered one of the most divine festivals of the Sikh community. This year, Guru Nanak Jayanti much more unique as on this 12 day of November is the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji, the first of the 10 Sikh gurus.
Gurudwaras across the world are richly illuminated and the shimmering lights attracts people.

All said this Sunday was very unique in the sense that while the Muslim Community celebrated the birthday of Prophet Muhammad with procession of the Prophet in trucks bedecked with flowers, the Sikh Community brought in the eve of Guru Nanak Jayanti (celebrated today) with Nagar Sankirtan- procession by the Sikhs with the portrait of Guru Nanak Devji amidst singing bhajans

Guru Nanak Dev was a man of peace and has done good deeds by introducing spiritual, social and political platforms, on the principles of equality, goodness, and virtue.

The three-day celebration begins with Prabhat Pheris (early morning processions) at the gurudwaras and then wends its way to the localities with Sikh devotees singing hymns. ed by Panj Pyaras or Nagarkirtan (the five beloved ones), who carry the Sikh flag, known as the Nishan Sahib and the palanquin of Guru Granth Sahib.

In general, two days prior to Guru Nanak Jayanti, there is a reading of non-stop Guru Granth Sahib – the holy text of the teachings of Guru Nanak Devji.

On the main day of the occasion, devotees wake up early in the morning and sing Asa-di-Var and other morning hymns from the Sikh scriptures. In the Gurudwaras, priests recite poems in praise of Guru Nanak Dev. Langar or free community lunch is served in the afternoon to celebrate life and prophecy of Guru Nanak Jayanti. People from the Sikh Community also perform a special type of martial art with a sword on this occasion.

Input by K.V.Raman