Gurupurab

Gurupurab

It was the year 1469. On 20th October, a divine child was born at Rai-Bhoi-Di Talwandi in the present district of Shekhupura (Pakistan). According to the Hindu Solar calendar, the day was 'Kartik Purnima1 i.e. full moon day of the month of Kartik (October-November in the Gregorian calendar). In time, this child became a great poet, philosopher, humanist and a powerful social reformer. It is believed that he had a vision from God, which directed him to preach to the mankind. He was none other than Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith.

The Sikhs throughout the world celebrate Guru Nanak's birthday as Gurupurab. The word 'Gurupurab' means the festival of the Guru. Besides Guru Nanak's birthday, there are other Gurupurabs also. The Sikhs celebrate ten Gurupurabs in a year. At each of these festivals, one of the ten gurus of the Khalsa Panth is honoured. Of these, the important ones are the birthdays of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh, and the martyrdom days of Guru Arjan Dev and Guru Tegh Bahadur.

Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and last Guru of the Sikhs. He was born on 22nd December 1666 in Patna. He recompiled the Granth Sahib, the sacred book of the Sikhs, and declared it the eternal Guru of all Sikhs, thereby discontinuing the tradition of Gurus in Sikhism. Guru Gobind Singh formed the Khalsa Panth (Community of Pure), which eliminated the differences of high and low and established that all human beings were equal. He made it mandatory for the Sikhs to have the five Ks: Kesh (hair), Kirpan (dagger), Kara (bracelet), Kangha (comb) and Kachera (underwear).

Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Guru. His martyrdom day falls towards the close of May, or the beginning of June. Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Guru. His martyrdom day falls in November. All the Gurupurabs are celebrated with devotion and dedication. The festival usually lasts for three days. Three weeks prior to the actual day of the celebration, people take out early morning processions. They go around the localities singing 'Shabads' (hymns). These religious processions are called 'Prabhat Pheris'. Some devotees offer sweets and tea when the procession passes by their homes.

Three days before the Gurupurab, the holy book Guru Granth Sahib is read non-stop from beginning to end in the Gurdwara. This ritual is called the 'Akhand Path', which means continuous reading. The Akhand Path concludes on the day of the festival. The holy book is then taken out in a procession. It is beautifully decorated with flowers and carried on a Palki (Palanquin). The Palki is followed by groups of hymn singers called the 1 Kirtani Jatha'. The local band accompanies the Kirtani Jatha, playing the tunes of religious songs. The procession also includes the 'Gatka Party' (young men displaying mock-battle with the traditional weapons).

Leading the procession are the five guards, called the 'Panj Piyare' (five beloved ones). They walk with the 'Nishan Sahib' or the Sikh flag. Eminent citizens, devotees and children participate in the procession with great fervour and enthusiasm. The roads and pathways are decorated with flags, flowers and religious posters.

On the Gurupurab day, the celebrations start as early as 4 or 5 a.m. People sing hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. Religious discourses called 'Katha' are held in the Gurdwaras. Devotees also recite poems in praise of the Guru. After performing the traditional worship, a sweet pudding called 'Karah Parshad1 is distributed among the people present in the Gurdwara.

Later in the day, community lunch called 'langar' is served in the Gurdwara. All the devotees, irrespective of caste, class, or creed, eat the same food under one roof. In the evening, people illuminate their homes with candles and earthen lamps. Some even burst crackers in celebration of the occasion.

All Gurupurabs are considered auspicious but special importance is given to the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The festival is also called 'Prakash Utsav', since it is believed that Guru Nanak brought enlightenment to the world. The celebration of Gurupurab reaffirms the faith of people in the doctrines of Sikhism and conveys the same message as Guru Nanak preached, “One need not become a sanyasi (hermit) sacrificing one's family to please God. Those who practice devotion, whose mind is pure and who have sympathy, patience and honesty, are in no way inferior to a sanyasi. ”