What is Guru Nanak Jayanti?
Guru Nanak Jayanti, also called Gurpurab or Prakash Purab, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. He was born in 1469 in Talwandi, now Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. The day falls on Kartik Purnima.
His teachings
Guru Nanak taught that there is one God present in everyone, and that all people are equal regardless of caste, religion or gender. His three core principles are Naam Japo (remember God), Kirat Karo (earn honestly) and Vand Chhako (share with others).
How it is celebrated
Celebrations begin with an Akhand Path, a 48-hour continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib. A day before, a Nagar Kirtan procession led by the Panj Pyare moves through the streets. On Gurpurab, gurdwaras are lit up, kirtan continues all day and langar is served to everyone.