The very name of “Guru Nanak” gives you peace and a sense of belief. And in this regard, we can say that Guru Nanak Jayanti is to Sikh community what Diwali is to Hindus. One thing that you must have noticed on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti is the Langar (offering food and drinks to all the passerby’s) that are held in front of every Sikh household and in the vicinity of every Gurudwara (These langars are held even on the ordinary days inside Gurudwaras). Also, from each and every Gurudwara, the melodious sound of Gurbani can be heard.
Let’s now move from the celebrations to the importance and significance. Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated as the birthday of Sikh Guru Nanak Dev. The original birth date of Guru Nanak Dev, however, is 15th April 1469. He was born on this day in Talwandi. But his disciples celebrate his birthday on the full moon day (Purnima) of the month of Kartik, which falls on 23rd November this year. It is his 549th birthday.
Some of the principles and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev are as follows:
• He believed that there is only one God.
• He taught that we should worship only this one God and no one else.
• He said that God is omnipresent everywhere and in everyone.
• One who follows God fears no one.
• We should work hard with great determination and worship God with loyalty.
• Do not disturb any innocent creature.
• We should be happy. It’s when we are happy that we can make others happy.
• Earn with honesty and give a fraction of what you earn to the needy.
• Never discriminate between humans. All human beings are equal.