Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025: Celebrating the Light of Wisdom and Compassion
Guru Nanak Jayanti 2025 celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, honoring his timeless teachings of peace, equality, and selfless service that continue to inspire humanity.
Swati Dubey 
Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. It is celebrated on the day of Purnima (full moon) in the Kartik month according to the Hindu lunar calendar. This is one of the holiest festivals in Sikhism, observed with deep devotion, faith, and gratitude by Sikhs across the world. The day symbolizes selfless service, peace, compassion, and spiritual awakening. Major celebrations take place at the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi, where devotees gather in large numbers to offer prayers and participate in community service.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469 in Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. He was a reformer, philosopher, and poet who raised his voice against social inequality and religious discrimination. Guru Nanak believed in the oneness of God — Ik Onkar — and promoted the values of truth, compassion, and empathy. His key teachings were Naam Japo, Kirat Karo, and Vand Chhako, which mean remember and meditate on God’s name, earn an honest living, and share what you have with others. He strongly opposed caste divisions, meaningless rituals, and superstitions, emphasizing equality and righteousness. His divine wisdom and hymns are preserved in the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of Sikhism.
On this day, devotees celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti with great devotion through Akhand Path (continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib), soulful Kirtans (devotional songs), and most importantly, Langars — community kitchens that serve free meals to everyone, symbolizing equality and selfless service. Gurudwaras and streets are beautifully decorated with lights, flowers, and flags, creating an atmosphere of joy and devotion. In today’s world, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s teachings hold deep relevance, reminding us to live a life rooted in service, humility, and selflessness.
