Guru Parab

Guru Parab

October-November; full moon day of Hindu month of Kartika

Guru Nanak (1469-1539), was the founder of the Sikh Dharma faith (Sikhism), which was based on a belief in one god and on the rejection of idolatry and caste distinctions. In Pakistan at Nanak's birthplace, Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, near Lahore, Pakistan), there is a shrine and a holy tank where thousands of Sikhs congregate on this day for a huge fair and festival. Here and at Sikh shrines everywhere, the holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib, is read continuously and recited on Nanak's birthday. Food is distributed, and processions are common.
Nanak was followed by nine other gurus, under whom Sikhism gradually developed. Other Guru Parabs commemorate these later leaders. For example, the Guru Parab in honor of Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708) is observed during the month of Pausa (December-January).

CONTACTS:
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
Rm. No 123, Transport Bhawan, No. 1, Parliament St.
New Delhi, Delhi 110 001 India
91-11-23715084; fax: 91-11-23715084
www.tourisminindia.com

SOURCES:
RelHolCal-2004, p. 203
SikhFest-1989, p. 10