November 26, 2018
The Ambassador Mr Kumar Tuhin participated in the 'Paath & Kirtan' , expressed his views about the importance of the occasion and talked about the Initiatives that the Govt of India has taken to celebrate this special occasion. Dir(ASCC) Ms Tanuja Shankar, Mr T.P.S. Rawat SS(pol), Mr. Venkataraman (HOC) and other members of Embassy & ASCC were also present and had the auspicious 'langar' (community meal).
Some details on how traditional celebration looks like:
Guru Nanak’s birth is celebrated on Kartik Poornima (the full moon day in the month of Kartik). Celebrations usually begin 2 days earlier, with Prabhat Pheris, early morning processions around the localities singing hymns.
During the procession the day prior, the Guru Granth Sahib (The Holy Scriptures) is taken in a Palki (Palanquin) led by Panj Pyaras (the five beloved ones).
On the day of the Gurpurab, the celebrations commence early in the morning with the singing of Asa-di-Var (morning hymns), followed by Kathas (exposition of the scripture) and Kirtan (hymns from the Scriptures), in the praise of the Guru.
This will be followed by Langar. The idea behind the free communal lunch is that everyone should be offered food in the spirit of seva (service) and bhakti (devotion).
Now a days Guru Nanak Gurpurab is celebrated all over the world.