Guru Nanak Jayanti

Every autumn, when the full moon of the Kartik month lights up the night sky, the Sikh community and many others across India and the world turn their hearts to the celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti. On this vibrant festival honouring Guru Nanak Dev Ji, questions often arise such as: who is Guru Nanak and why do his teachings still resonate so powerfully today? As Sikh temples resound with sacred hymns, processions, and communal feasts, this day invites us to explore lesser-known facets of his life and legacy – beyond the familiar narratives – and uncover what makes his message timeless.

1. He began his mission after a mystical river experience
One of the less-told episodes in the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (born in 1469 CE in what is today Nankana Sahib, Pakistan) is his retreat into the river Bein near Sultanpur Lodhi. After immersing himself, he reportedly disappeared and re-emerged with a revelation: “There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim.” This moment marked the beginning of his life’s mission to break down rigid identities and elevate universal humanity.

2. The date of celebration isn’t his exact birth-date
Although Guru Nanak was born in 1469, the festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Kartik (Kattak). This means the date shifts according to the lunar calendar, and thus the festival held in November each year is a commemoration of his birth as well as his light-bringer role, rather than a precise birthday.

3. He was an extensive traveller
Often overlooked is how far Guru Nanak traveled in his lifetime. From his base in the Punjab region, he journeyed extensively across South Asia and beyond—visiting places such as the Himalayas, the Middle East- always accompanied by Bhai Mardana, his Muslim minstrel friend. These travels underscore his message of unity among all faiths.

4. He pioneered the institution of the Langar (community kitchen)
One of his enduring legacies is the Langar – the communal meal where all people sit together, regardless of caste, creed or status, and share food. This was not just charity in his view; it was a radical social statement of equality, service (“Sewa”) and community. In the festival celebrations of Guru Nanak Jayanti this institution is alive and thriving.

5. He challenged caste, ritual and dogma
Guru Nanak Dev Ji did not reject spirituality; instead he challenged superficial ritualism, privilege, caste distinction, and the notion that salvation was reserved only for a few. For example, he refused to wear the sacred Hindu thread (Janeu) when offered, saying true purity lies in righteous action, not outward symbols.

When we celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti, we aren’t just marking a birth anniversary – we are commemorating the dawning of a vision. His life and teachings remind us of three core values:

• Equality: He insisted that every human being deserves dignity and respect.
• Oneness of God: He taught devotion to one Universal Creator, transcending religious labels.
• Service & humility: He emphasised honest living (Kirat Karni), sharing (Vand Chhakna) and remembering the Divine (Naam Japna).

On the day of celebration, gurudwaras (Sikh temples) are illuminated, processions (Nagar Kirtan) take place, devotional hymns (Kirtan) fill the air, and the Langar feeds thousands. As such, Guru Nanak Jayanti offers not only ritual, but a lived practice of his teachings.

• Though born in a Hindu family of the Khatri caste, Guru Nanak’s teachings did not align with the exclusivity of caste systems.
• His earliest job was as a store-keeper (Modikhana) in Sultanpur Lodhi under the local Muslim governor, but he left the post when his divine call came.

In a world fractured by identity politics, religious strife, and social inequality, his message of recognising the “light of God” in every human being dismantles walls of division. His insistence on service, honesty and community is equally urgent in our times. And the celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti is a call to live, not just remember.

As we honour this day, it is fitting not only to join the festivities but to pause and reflect: how will we embody the spirit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in our own everyday lives? How will we ensure that the story of equality, unity and selfless service that he began continues to live and grow?

The festival of Guru Nanak Jayanti reminds us that the teachings of a great spiritual pioneer transcend centuries. The question who is Guru Nanak opens into an invitation: he is the voice for humanity, the teacher of service, the friend of the lowly, and the herald of one universal truth. On this day, may we honour his legacy by acting on his message: spreading kindness, practising equality, serving others, and remembering the Divine in all.