Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, is a significant holiday celebrated by Sikhs worldwide to commemorate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. This year, celebrations marked the 555th anniversary of his birth. Whether today is Guru Nanak Jayanti depends on the current date, as the holiday falls on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Kartik month in the Hindu lunar calendar, typically in November.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officially designates Guru Nanak Jayanti as a bank holiday in several states, including Mizoram, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. This often results in bank closures in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and others.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti, emphasizing the importance of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings on compassion, kindness, and humility. He urged citizens to be inspired by these values and contribute to societal well-being and environmental improvement.
Over 2,550 Sikh pilgrims from India traveled to Pakistan to participate in the 555th birth anniversary celebrations at Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak. The pilgrims were greeted with a warm welcome at the Wagah border and provided with necessary amenities and security. Special arrangements, including the distribution of masks to protect against smog, were made for the visiting pilgrims. The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) coordinated the arrangements to ensure a safe and memorable pilgrimage for the attendees.
