The 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji was celebrated with great enthusiasm on Sunday at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Themed ‘Oneness: A Light For Humanity’, the event was highlighted by a captivating performance from renowned Indian playback singer Harshdeep Kaur, who mesmerized the audience. Celebrity Chef Vikas Khanna also attended, sharing his reflections and insights during the celebrations.
Guru Nanak Jayanti, also called ‘Gurpurab’, commemorates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. This sacred festival holds immense significance in Sikhism, marked by spiritual gatherings, hymn recitations from the ‘Guru Granth Sahib’ (the holy scripture of Sikhism), and a deep sense of devotion. Observed annually on the full moon of the Kartik month, also known as Kartik Purnima, this day is also celebrated as ‘Parkash Utsav’.
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Guru Nanak Dev, known for his lifelong commitment to promoting equality and tolerance, was a devoted spiritual figure from an early age. Born in 1469 in the village of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, near Lahore, Pakistan), he spent his life as a man of peace.
On ‘Gurpurab’, prayers are held throughout the day at Gurdwaras, with celebrations continuing late into the night as devotees partake in ‘langar’. The ‘langar’ meal is regarded as auspicious, and the traditional ‘prasad’ served on such occasions is ‘kada prasad’. Many people also engage in ‘Sewa’ by volunteering and offering food to others, embracing the spirit of community and service on this important day.
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