Guru Nanak Jayanti 2019: Celebrations galore to mark 550th anniversary of Sikh founder

Guru Nanak Dev ji shared his life lessons with the world in Guru Granth Sahib, which is regarded as a holy book for the Sikhs. Devotees throng Golden temple in Amritsar.  

Amritsar: Also known as Gurupurab, Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated across the country to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, and is considered one of the holiest festivals of the Sikh community. This year, Gurupurab is even more special as on November 12 (Tuesday), it marks the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the first of the 10 Sikh gurus.

According to the Hindu calendar, Gurupurab falls on a full moon day in the month of Kartik Puranmashi. As the Gregorian calendar suggests, it is in the month of October and November.

A sea of devotees thronged the Gurudwara Harmandar Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple on the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev today.

Devotees offered prayers and took a holy dip in the 'sarovar' to mark the celebration. Bhavisha Sharma, a devotee said, "Our family has come to the golden temple on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji. We took a holy dip and had Prasad."

"We offered prayers and took a dip. Kartarpur corridor has now opened. I hope that I will go there soon to seek blessings of Guru Nanak Dev ji," another devotee said.

An Indian national residing in Canada expressed gratitude to the government for opening the Kartarpur Corridor.

"I along with family have come from Canada to celebrate. I would also like to thank the government for opening the Kartarpur Corridor," said the Canada resident.