India celebrates Gurpurab, Kartik Purnima today

Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab and Kartik Purnima is being celebrated with religious fervour, marking the 549th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, today. The day marks the birth of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak, who laid the foundation of Sikhism.

On this day, Sikh devotees around the world offer prayers. The Golden temple in Amritsar celebrates Gurpurab with gaiety and enthusiasm.

Starting with 'Akhand Path', the gurdwaras recite 48-hour long, non-stop verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs. They carry palanquins in Nagar Kirtan processions too.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has greeted people on the occasion of Guru Purab. In a tweet, Naidu said, the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev and the path shown by him, is more relevant today for social harmony and spiritual progress.

Taking to twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught people the path of truth, righteousness and compassion. Modi said, Guru Nanak Dev was committed towards eradicating injustice and inequality from society and he also believed in the power of education.

On the occasion of Kartik Purnima, Hindus take a ritual bath at sacred rivers or a water body at various pilgrimage centres.

Kartik Purnima is the most popular day for bathing in the Ganges at Varanasi. It is also called Deva-Diwali or Deva-Deepawali – the festival of lights of the gods.

In Punjab, most of the Gurdwaras have been decorated nicely. Guru Nanak Dev was born on Kartik Purnima in 1469 in Nankana Sahib, now in Pakistan.

(Featured Image: The Financial Express)