The Indian Humanitarian Assistance (IHA) and Uddipani Club collaboratively organised an evening dedicated to commemorating the 554th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev by lighting 554 lamps (diyas) on November 26.
The Chairman of the IHA Foundation, Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, while speaking to the media, said, “Park Circus is an iconic place (in Kolkata) where people from all the religious faiths are living. We, along with all the religious leaders over here and multiple community members, brought one diya (lamp) each as a tribute to Guru Nanak Dev.”
“This is a big thing, as for the first time such a program has happened in the Eastern region and in India, where all the Gurus have come together to pay homage to Guru Nanak Dev by lighting 554 lamps,” he added.
One of the Muslim religious leaders, Syed Zaki Asim Rizwi, also spoke to the media about the special occasion and said, “This is a very good thing, especially in our Bengal, where people of all religions live together with unity and brotherhood. And in such an environment, people of every religion were invited birth anniversary celebration of Guru Nanak Dev.”
“A positive message will reach the people of Bengal that humanity is the first thing before every religion and humanity is the biggest thing. As long as there is humanity, every religion is alive,” he said.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to the people of the State on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
The Chief Minister said in his message that Guru Nanak Dev has given us the message of walking on the path of social harmony and peace. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also said that Guru Nanak made tireless efforts to remove discrimination, animosity and social evils from society.
He said that the message of social harmony, unity and amity given by Guru Nanak is more relevant today than ever before. The Chief Minister has also wished for happiness and prosperity in the lives of the people of the State on this auspicious occasion.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar participated in Nagar Kirtan organised ahead of Prakash Utsav, which is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism and the first of ten Gurus of Sikhs, Guru Nanak Dev.
Taking to ‘X’, CM Manohar Lal Khattar said, “Today, in the city Kirtan organised before the birth anniversary of Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Karnal, I bowed my head and prayed for the happiness and prosperity of the people of the entire country and State”.
“The teachings of the revered Gurus inspire us to increase unity and brotherhood in society, as well as to increase the spirit of service. We should always follow the path shown by them,” he added.
Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, is a sacred festival that marks the birth anniversary of the first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev. It is a significant day in Sikhism since it commemorates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the first of the 10 Sikh gurus and the founder of Sikhism. The celebration is notable for its fervent devotion, spiritual gatherings, and the recitation of hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism’s holy scripture.
This year, the important event will be commemorated with the utmost love and reverence by Sikhs all across the world on November 27.
Every year, the auspicious occasion is held on the full moon date of Kartik month, also known as Kartik Purnima. Parkash Utsav is also observed on this day.
On the auspicious occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the Governor of Goa, P S Sreedharan Pillai, has conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Goa, especially the Sikh community.
The governor said in his message that Guru Nanak Dev was a symbol of love, tolerance and compassion. “He preached universal brotherhood and the importance of rendering service to humanity. The revered Guru showed us the path to a truly spiritual life based on ethical and moral values. His universal wisdom and humanism have been an abiding source of inspiration to people everywhere, regardless of caste, colour or creed,” said Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai.
The Governor further said that on this occasion, let us take a pledge to rededicate ourselves to his noble teachings, which are of eternal relevance. I urge the people of Goa to spread love and bring warmth as well as care to the needy and suffering people, the Governor concluded.
Guru Nanak Dev, who had been devoted to the Divine since boyhood, was a man of peace who spent his entire life promoting equality and tolerance. He was born in 1469 in the village of Rai Bhoi di Talwandi, today known as Nankana Sahib, near Lahore, Pakistan.
On Gurpurab, prayers are held in Gurdwaras throughout the day. The many components of the festival continue until late at night when devotees indulge in the langar.
The langar food is considered auspicious, and the traditional prasad served on auspicious occasions is kada prasad. On this important day, many people participate in Sewa and offer food.
(with inputs from ANI)
