Guru Nanak Jayanti 2024: Is Gurpurab a Government Holiday? Check History and Significance

One of the most significant Sikhism holidays is Guru Nanak Jayanti, which is also known as Gurpurab or Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Prakash Utsav. This day commemorates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first of the ten Sikh Gurus and the founder of Sikhism.

On Friday, November 15, 2024, Sikhs and followers worldwide will be celebrating Guru Nanak Jayanti with joy and devotion. This is a time to consider the teachings of Guru Nanak and uphold the values that he taught.

Is Gurupurab a Government Holiday?

Many Indian states, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and West Bengal, mark Guru Nanak Jayanti as a public holiday. Banks, government offices, schools, and universities are closed on this day, giving people the opportunity to participate in the festivities while reflecting on Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teachings.

Here is list of states that will observe bank closure on the account of Guru Nanak Jayanti as per RBI guidelines: 

What is the History of Guru Nanak Jayanti?

Guru Nanak Jayanti has been celebrated since the 15th century, when Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born in 1469. Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a visionary spiritual leader who was born in Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan).

From a young age, he challenged the social inequalities and religious traditions that were prevalent in his community.

After experiencing a spiritual awakening at the age of 30, Guru Nanak Dev Ji set out to promote equality, compassion, and devotion to one God. 

Britannica mentions: “Nanak is believed to have had a revelatory experience when he was about 30 years old. According to a Janamsakhi text, he disappeared while bathing in a river and was presumed drowned. The hagiographical accounts suggest that during his disappearance Nanak communed with the supreme being, who gave him the nectar of immortality (amrit) that granted him knowledge of the divine name. The mystical experience is thought to have afforded him with an epiphanic vision of transcendent reality.” 

He travelled widely throughout India, Tibet, and portions of the Middle East throughout his lifetime, spreading his teachings and promoting a more simple, inclusive approach to spirituality.

Sikhism is based on the teachings and ideas of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. 

He promoted a life devoted to truth, integrity, and selfless service, as well as a dismissal of social divisions and the unity of God. The holy book of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib, contains a compilation of his teachings that were formalised and expanded on by later Gurus.

What is the Significance of Guru Nanak Jayanti?

Gurpurab, also known as Guru Nanak Jayanti, is observed to commemorate the birth and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. This festival is significant for Sikhs and those who connect with Guru Nanak's teachings of equality, compassion, and harmony. 

His philosophy and principles go across religious lines and promote an idea of a world that is loving, peaceful, and fair.

On Guru Nanak Jayanti, Sikhs get the chance to consider his teachings and commit to upholding the values he created, including:

• Earn an Honest Living (Kirat Karo): Do your best work and refrain from unethical or exploitative methods.
• Chant the Name of God (Naam Japo): Reflect on the name of God and keep a spiritual mindset in your daily life.
• Vand Chhakko (Share with Others): Foster a sense of community by giving and lending resources to those in need.
• Blessings for everyone (Sarbat da Bhala): Guru Nanak Devi Ji taught the value of universal well-being, and he urged everyone to pray for the prosperity and peace of all people, irrespective of their gender, caste, or religion. 

Devotees and followers are reminded to aim for an ethical and compassionate life by following these teachings.

In conclusion, Guru Nanak Jayanti is more than just a festival—it’s an opportunity to celebrate the values of equality, service, compassion, and spirituality that Guru Nanak devoted his life to teaching. In 2024, as Sikhs and others around the world come together to honour his legacy, Guru Nanak’s messages of unity and peace remain as powerful and inspiring as ever. 

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