Guru Nanak Jayanti
The land of colours, inspiration, and diversity, India is a cultural melting pot even as it charges ahead in technology and global leadership. Festivals and ceremonies are an integral part of the country’s cultural fabric, not least because it brings people together across the peninsula. For Sikhs, one such felicitous occasion is Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurupurab.
About the Festival
Guru Nanak Jayanti goes by many other names, such as Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab and Guru Nanak Dev Ji Jayanti, among others. In essence, the festival marks the birth of Guru Nanak, the first-ever Sikh Guru. Guru Nanak Jayanti is also a gazetted holiday in India, considering the intensity of celebrations and devotion of Sikhs to the remembrance of the founder of Sikhism.
If you have searched for the Guru Nanak Jayanti date 2021 and looked back on other years, you would have noticed that the date changes yearly. This is because different organizations and scholars cite different dates as the birth date of Guru Nanak. For example, the Bhai Bala Janamsakhi states that Guru Nanak was born during the month of Kartik on the full moon day in the lunar calendar. However, others claim that he was born in April, in time for Baisakhi. Regardless, most Sikh devotees continue to observe Guru Nanak Jayanti in November. Guru Nanak Jayanti 2021 is slated to fall on 19 November.
How it is Celebrated
Celebrations begin 48 hours before the actual day of Guru Nanak Jayanti. Devotees flock to Gurudwaras to participate in Akhand Path, a non-stop recitation of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. On a penultimate day, the Nagarkirtan procession takes place, where the Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a palanquin and carried. The parade meanders through streets and is led by the Panj Pyare, five men.
On the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti, celebrations usually kickstart at 4/5 am, during a time called the Amrit Vela. Many areas also conduct Prabhat Pheris, which are processions that begin from the Gurudwara and snake through the localities to spread the cheer.
After this ceremony, devotees begin reading from the scriptures and continue singing hymns, praising the Guru. This goes on well into the afternoon until it is time for Langar. This community lunch concept is one of the most awaited portions of the Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations because it celebrates togetherness without considering gender, caste, creed or class. Volunteers and consists of simple yet piping-hot fare organize the free lunch.
Some devotee groups also host night prayers in Gurudwaras on Guru Nanak Jayanti. They begin at sunset, after the first evening prayer, and sing hymns well into the night. In addition, congregations often sing Gurbani (hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib) at around 1.20 am, which is popularly considered the birthtime of Guru Nanak.
The History of the Festival
Gurupurab is the common term used to denote celebrations in the name of the 10 Sikh Gurus who shaped Sikhism as we know it. Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrating Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, who was born in 1469 in the Nankana Sahib district in erstwhile Punjab (today’s Pakistan).
The 2019 Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations commemorated the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
How to Get There
Celebrations are held in several states across India, even abroad, to mark the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti. These festivities are incredibly dynamic in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. So if you plan to make a trip to these areas in time for Guru Nanak Jayanti, travelling with redBus will get you in safe hands.
redBus is an award-winning, internationally-recognized travel company with thousands of routes crisscrossing India. For example, you can book a bus journey from Delhi to Chandigarh and Bhuntar to Chandigarh. Travelling from the Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan to Chandigarh on board a Jaipur to Chandigarh bus is much more convenient.
Guru Nanak Jayanti is also the perfect time to witness Harmandir Sahib–the Golden Temple– in full glory. So whether you’re travelling to see the beautifully-lit temple, participate in the rituals or take a dip in the holy waters, you reach Amritsar on board a comfortable bus from any major city. Routes on redBus include Delhi to Amritsar, Jaipur to Amritsar, Katra to Amritsar, even Chandigarh to Amritsar.
The perks of travelling with redBus in time for Guru Nanak Jayanti are many and widespread. For starters, redBus has a ‘track my bus’ feature through which you can get the details of 60,000 routes and 10,000 buses being live-tracked. This way, even in unfamiliar territory, you can ensure you and your loved ones board the right bus and reach your destination safely.
Travelling with redBus also means convenience on the go. The redBus app is perfect for those last-minute Guru Nanak Jayanti trips. You can book seats on a bus only a few hours before departure and use the boarding point navigation to find your stop. You don’t need to fiddle about with your cards and payment methods either– the app securely saves your preferred payment options, so booking tickets become seamless.
Where to Stay
Thousands of people from all over the country flock to Gurudwaras in time for Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations. If you’re planning the journey, consider booking accommodation well in advance. Chandigarh, Haryana, Amritsar and other hubs have no shortage of accommodation that plays along with any budget.
If you prefer to stay close to the Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrations, consider booking a stay closer to the main Gurudwaras. If you don’t mind the travel, the main cities have plenty of business and family hotels to suit your needs. Backpackers can find lodges and hostels to keep their bank account happy without compromising on fun. Enjoy your journey with redBus this, Guru Nanak Jayanti!
If you're looking to travel to Guru Nanak Jayanti venues and are worried about safe travel, you can choose the Primo service launched by redBus. Primo is where passengers can enjoy travelling in high-rated buses with best-in-class services. While looking for bus tickets on the desired route, customers can check the Primo tag to choose this excellent service. From hygiene standards to on-time service and comfort, there are many benefits that passengers can get from Primo buses.
