âGurpurabâ celebrates the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak. It is often referred to as âPrakash Utsavâ, which literally means the festival of light, representing the enlightenment that the Guruâs teachings brought. Devotees mark the day with early morning processions at the gurudwara, where shabads (religious hymns) are sung to remember the philosophy and teachings of the Guru. The celebrations usually last three days, marked with the âAkhand Pathâ a continuous reading of the Sikh holy book which can take anywhere between 48-72 hours, and is considered to be a strong meditative process.Â
When: 12th Nov 2019
Where: Region of Punjab
This year marks the 550th birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founder of the Sikhism faith. Across the world, the community is getting together to remember the Guru and his spiritual teachings. In India, the little town of Sultanpur Lodhi is the hub of these celebrations – home to the spot where Sri Guru Nanak received enlightenment.