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Guru Nanak Jayanti
Guru Nanak Dev was the founder of the religion Sikh. He was born in the month of Kartik (October/November). His birthday is celebrated among the Sikhs as Guru Nanak Jayanti. He was born in the year 1469 A.D. at Tolevandi. This place is about 30 miles from Lahore. The anniversaries of Sikh Guru's are called as Gurpurabs. The Guru Nanak Jayanthi celebrations show the great devotion and dedication of the sikhs.
GurPurabs mark the end of Prabhat Pheris. This is an early morning procession which begins at the gurdwaras (Sikh temples). They then continue with the localities around singing 'shabads' (hymns). The celebrations also have the three-day Akhand path. During this festival, the holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib is read continuously and that too with no break at all. On the day of the festival, the Granth Sahib is also carried in a procession. The place is decorated with flowers and the whole city is illumined. There are five armed guards. These guards represent the Panj Pyares who is the head of the procession. They carry the Nishan Sahibs which is the Sikh flag. Also there are some local bands which play religious music. This is a special aspect for the festival and procession.
There are free sweets which are offered for all the people and there are some men, women, and children who take part in this karseva as service to the community. These people cook food and distribute it in the 'Guru ka Langar'. This is the traditional 'Karah Prasad'.
On this occasion, the Sikhs also visit gurdwaras. O n this day, special programs are arranged and kirtans which are more known as religious songs which are sung. Houses and gurdwaras are lit up. He is considered as the prophet of peace, love, truth and renaissance. His universal message is true and applies to the world even know and there are numerous followers who still worship him.
The Sikhs:
Guru Nanak was followed by nine other Gurus. The Sikh temple is known as "Gurudwara" . and a copy of the Granth is kept in every Gurudwara. The main shrine of the Sikhs is the Golden Temple which is located in Amritsar, in Punjab. Sikhism has a real hold at this place and the temple foundations were Laid by the Fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das during the tenure 1534-1581.
Guru Govind Singh played an important role in giving the Sikh Religion a military character. This great person became the centre piece of the Sikh community. According to him, true worship consists in singing God's praises. According to him, God is the Supreme Guru. In his language is said as, "Satnam, Wah Guru" (The True Name, The Wondrous Teacher). God was the only guru for Nanak and he believed that God spoke to people through Him. his followers strongly believed in that and they reached God through him.