The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak is known as the one of the greatest religious innovators of all time. He was born on 15 April 1469 at Rāi Bhoi Kī Talvaṇḍī (present day Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan) near Lahore. He was the first amongst ten Sikh gurus and spread the teachings of Sikhism throughout the world. He had established a platform based on equality, fraternal love, goodness, and virtue. On his birth anniversary, have a look on his life.
He was born in a middle class Hindu family to Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta. Since childhood, he was considered to have divine grace. With his intelligence and his interest towards divine subjects, he used to surprise people. Guru Nanak had an elder sister Bebe Nanaki who was five years older than him. He was very fond his sister. After marriage of her sister in 1475, she had moved to Sultanpur. In fact, Guru Nanak also had gone to live his sister. At that time, he had got awareness and transformed. Guru Nanak had moved towards formation of a new religion Sikhism. On 24 September 1487, Nanak married Mata Sulakkhani. The couple had two sons-Sri Chand and Lakhmi Chand.
In the holy book of Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib, his words are registered in the form of 974 poetic hymns. He had never advocated monasticism and asked his followers to lead the life of honest householder. Sikhism is based on monotheism. It is believed that he had undertaken five journeys in his lifetime. He was died on 22 September 1539. After Nanak’s passed away, the nine other Gurus followed his teachings and continued to spread his message.
Guru Nanak Gurpurab
On the occasion of Guru Nanak Gurpurab, the celebration of birth of Guru Nanak takes place. It is also known as Guru Nanak’s Prakash Utsav. This basically falls in the month of October or November. This year, it is on 23 November.
