Guru Nanak Jayanti

Tanuki · Oct 12th, 2003, 21:36

I am going to India for the first time at the end of this month, and I see that I will be in Delhi during the Guru Nanak Jayanti festival, when the Sikhs celebrate the birthday of the founder of their faith. I've read about the parade, readings of sacred text, and free communal meals, but if any of you have actually experienced the holiday and could tell me about it first hand, I would appreciate it.

indiamike · Oct 14th, 2003, 05:20

Having only witnessed the parade as a bystander I thought it was great fun and I wound up with an armful of sweets

mostly by little kids coming up and giving me them.

As far as the parade, I am not to sure about it, I think it starts up on Chandi Chowk across from the Red Fort and winds it way down passing even through the tourist section of Parahganj.

Usually Sikh run shops along the route will have kettles out front cooking sweets and/or handing out candies.

The parade is actually very good and it is a great moment of pride and celebration for the Sikh community.

Hopefully some of our members in Delhi can give some more info on the other events and the exact route of the parade.

Mike

Fiski · Oct 14th, 2003, 11:27

I'll try to elaborate on IndiaMike's synopsis.

Guru Nanak Jayanti is celeberated with pomp and ostentatious display by Sikhs. My mom used to take me to witness the celebrations every year though I haven't witnessed the parade for some years now. For me it used to be a continuation of Diwali festivities just like Christmas festivities extends upto New Year's day.

As IndiaMike correctly pointed out, the parade starts at Gurudwara "Sis Ganj" in Chandni Chowk and terminates at Gurudwara "Rakab Ganj" going via Connaught Place and Gurudwara "Bangla Sahib"

Most of the religious festivities take place throughout the day and the night at these 3 Gurudwaras but the place to be at night is definitely "Rakab Ganj" (next to Indian Parliament) where you can witness the magnificent night decorations. Common free kitchen or "Langar" can be had throughout the day as well as night. There also used to be fireworks in the night reminiscent of just passed Diwali bringing back my joyous and festive mood but I'm not sure about firework display in recent years.

If you are interested, I'd recommend joining the parade in the afternoon near C.P. and visiting Rakab Ganj at night (very near C.P.), on foot, perhaps.

Parade would be similar to this but on a much larger scale and of course in Indian settings.

wonderwomanusa · Oct 14th, 2003, 11:31

So is all this on 8 November? That's the date a search on Google gave me.

Fiski · Oct 14th, 2003, 11:48

Yes WW. 11/08

wonderwomanusa · Oct 14th, 2003, 23:49

Too bad I'll miss it -- I won't be in Delhi. Perhaps I'll catch it elsewhere.

Alan D · Oct 15th, 2003, 01:34

The parade certainly does go through Paharganj. I remember arriving back in Delhi from somewhere. The walk from New Delhi railway station to our hotel took about three times the normal time. There was food and goodies all along the way and we were stuffed by the time we reached the hotel.

There's a great feeling around this particular festival so I would say catch it if you can.

Oct 12th, 2003, 21:36	#1
Tanuki Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 7	Guru Nanak Jayanti I am going to India for the first time at the end of this month, and I see that I will be in Delhi during the Guru Nanak Jayanti festival, when the Sikhs celebrate the birthday of the founder of their faith. I've read about the parade, readings of sacred text, and free communal meals, but if any of you have actually experienced the holiday and could tell me about it first hand, I would appreciate it.

Oct 14th, 2003, 11:27	#3
Fiski Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: B'lore Posts: 46	I'll try to elaborate on IndiaMike's synopsis. Guru Nanak Jayanti is celeberated with pomp and ostentatious display by Sikhs. My mom used to take me to witness the celebrations every year though I haven't witnessed the parade for some years now. For me it used to be a continuation of Diwali festivities just like Christmas festivities extends upto New Year's day. As IndiaMike correctly pointed out, the parade starts at Gurudwara "Sis Ganj" in Chandni Chowk and terminates at Gurudwara "Rakab Ganj" going via Connaught Place and Gurudwara "Bangla Sahib" Most of the religious festivities take place throughout the day and the night at these 3 Gurudwaras but the place to be at night is definitely "Rakab Ganj" (next to Indian Parliament) where you can witness the magnificent night decorations. Common free kitchen or "Langar" can be had throughout the day as well as night. There also used to be fireworks in the night reminiscent of just passed Diwali bringing back my joyous and festive mood but I'm not sure about firework display in recent years. If you are interested, I'd recommend joining the parade in the afternoon near C.P. and visiting Rakab Ganj at night (very near C.P.), on foot, perhaps. Parade would be similar to this but on a much larger scale and of course in Indian settings. Last edited by Fiski : Oct 14th, 2003 at 12:04.

Oct 14th, 2003, 11:31	#4
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,243	So is all this on 8 November? That's the date a search on Google gave me. __________________ The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

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Oct 14th, 2003, 05:20	#2
indiamike Retired Admin Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: New Joisey for now Posts: 1,760	Having only witnessed the parade as a bystander I thought it was great fun and I wound up with an armful of sweets mostly by little kids coming up and giving me them. As far as the parade, I am not to sure about it, I think it starts up on Chandi Chowk across from the Red Fort and winds it way down passing even through the tourist section of Parahganj. Usually Sikh run shops along the route will have kettles out front cooking sweets and/or handing out candies. The parade is actually very good and it is a great moment of pride and celebration for the Sikh community. Hopefully some of our members in Delhi can give some more info on the other events and the exact route of the parade. Mike

Oct 14th, 2003, 11:48	#5
Fiski Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: B'lore Posts: 46	Yes WW. 11/08

Oct 14th, 2003, 23:49	#6
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,243	Too bad I'll miss it -- I won't be in Delhi. Perhaps I'll catch it elsewhere.

Oct 15th, 2003, 01:34	#7
Alan D Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Southampton UK Posts: 1,869	The parade certainly does go through Paharganj. I remember arriving back in Delhi from somewhere. The walk from New Delhi railway station to our hotel took about three times the normal time. There was food and goodies all along the way and we were stuffed by the time we reached the hotel. There's a great feeling around this particular festival so I would say catch it if you can.

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