Guru Nanak Jayanti, also referred to as Gurupurab, is one of the most significant days of Sikhism as it commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the first of the 10 Sikh gurus and the founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Jayanti is observed every year during Kartik Purnima and Sikhs all over the world celebrate it with the utmost love and reverence.

Guru Nanak Jayanti is being celebrated on November 8, 2022, and this year marks the 553rd birthday of Guru Nanak. 

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Guru Nanak Jayanti Significance and Celebrations:

Guru Nanak was born in 1469 at Talwandi Nankana Sahib and he laid the foundation of the Sikh religion. This festival celebrates his legacy, accomplishments, and life. The day before Guru Nanak’s birthday, a procession known as Nagarkirtan is organized, led by five men known as the Panj Pyare, who hold the Sikh triangular flag Nishan Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib is also carried in a palanquin and people perform martial arts, sing hymns in groups, and play traditional musical instruments. 

On the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti, a 48-hour continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, popularly known as Akhand Path, takes place in Gurdwaras. 

Langar 

The idea behind langar is to feed everyone, regardless of caste, class, religion, or gender. Apart from the langar that is arranged every day in a gurdwara, a special langar is organized on the day of Guru Nanak Jayanti. 

Some special dishes that are prepared in the Langar on the occasion of Gurupurab are:

Kada Prashad 

Kada Prashad is like halwa that is prepared by roasting wheat flour, desi ghee, and sugar at a relatively low temperature in a large kadhai. It is the most significant traditional sweet without which a langar is incomplete.

Makki ki roti, sarson ka saag 

Makki ki roti with sarson ka saag is a special dish of Punjab. A flat chapati is prepared from cornmeal and is cooked on a tandoor or tawa. It is served with chopped onion, green chili, sarson ka saag and butter cubes.

Kaali Daal 

This dish is made with Urad and Chana dal and it is served with chapati and rice in the gurdwara.  

Aloo Gobhi

Every gurdwara serves the staple aloo gobhi sabzi. It is made by frying potatoes and cauliflower and adding Indian spices to the mixture, and this dish is also served on this special day. 

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Kheer

Also referred to as Indian pudding, it is the ideal dessert that can be prepared for any festival at home. It is usually made by boiling rice with milk, sugar/jaggery. This dessert is served on the occasion of Gurupurab.