Celebrate Guru Nanak’s birthday at the Golden Temple this November 14

Celebrate Guru Nanak’s birthday at the the Golden Temple this Nov 14

This is probably the most special day in the calendar of the Sikh community. It marks the birth of Guru Nanak, the first of the Sikh gurus. Known also as Gurpurab, it has come to mean ‘festival of the gurus’. Amongst the devout, preparations begin days in advance and in the run-up to Guru Nanak Jayanti there are rituals to be followed such as uninterrupted readings of the Guru Granth Sahib, processions carrying the holy scripture and displays of ‘gatka’ with traditional weapons. Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, draws scores of devotees, not only from India, but from across the world, who come to partake in the ceremonies and the festivity. Amritsar comes into its own too at this time of the year, and the illuminated Golden Temple is a sight to behold. In fact, gurudwaras across Punjab and Haryana are wrapped in a unique festive air as they celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti.

During Guru Nanak Jayanti, rituals include uninterrupted readings of the Guru Granth Sahib, processions carrying the holy scriptures and displays of ‘gatka’ with traditional weapons.(Illustration by Jayanto Banerjee)

Designer couple Ankur and Priyanka Modi with her brother and business development director, Anirudh Birla (On Priyanka: AM:PM Couture jacket and dhoti pants, J Crew shoes and Bungalow 8 earrings; On Anirudh: AM:PM waistcoat, Rohit Bal shirt and breeches, AM:PM pocket square and Bally shoes; On Ankur: AM:PM waistcoat, Hugo Boss shirt and pants, Bvlgari glasses and Gucci shoes) (Reuben Singh)