Guru Nanak Jayanti: A time for spirituality and celebrations

Amritsar, the holy city in northern India, is celebrating the auspicious occasion of Guru Nanak's 449th birth anniversary with devotion and zeal.

Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurupurab is one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism and Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus.

"Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us the path of truth, righteousness and compassion. He was committed towards eradicating injustice and inequality from society. He also believed in the power of education. We bow to him on his Jayanti and recall his inspiring thoughts," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

In a landmark decision, on the eve of Guru Nanak Gurupurab, the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved building and development of Kartarpur corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to India-Pakistan International Border.

The development of the corridor will facilitate pilgrims from India to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur on the banks of the Ravi river, in Pakistan, where Shri Guru Nanak Devji spent eighteen years. With this infrastructure development, pilgrims would be able to visit the holy shrine throughout the year.

Back in India, the Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib or Darbar Sahib is soaked in spirituality as devotees take a holy dip in Sarovar. It is an important pilgrimage site of Sikhism.

Aashu Grover, who came all the way from Lucknow to Harmandir Sahib, said, "I have travelled this long to rejoice the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. I feel so tranquillised as my quest for peace has been fulfilled today."

Some devotees have crossed continents to celebrate Gurupurab in India. Amritpal has come to Amritsar from Australia- solely to celebrate Guru Nanak Devji's birth anniversary.

"There is so much peace in here and I feel so blessed. I could feel the holy spirit," she said.

While she came all the way from Australia, President Ram Nath Kovind wished people from Melbourne, where he is on a state visit.

"Gurpurab greetings to all fellow citizens, especially to our Sikh brothers and sisters in India and abroad. The life and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev inspire us to follow the path of peace, compassion and service," read a post on the official Twitter handle of the President of India.

Even the residents of Amritsar are not lagging behind. Expressing contentment, Poonam Mahajan said, "Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us to keep our miseries away by bringing peace to both mind and soul. Thus, he has vanished darkness form the earth. I feel so serene and blessed."

Special langars have been organised in gurudwaras, where the free, vegetarian meal is being served to everyone- regardless of their sex, colour or religion.