Guru Nanak Dev Ji, 550th Birth Anniversary

Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469 – 1539) was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His birth is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak Guru Purab or Kartik Poornamashi, the full-moon day in the month of Kartik (October–November). He travelled far and wide teaching people the message of one God. His preaching is registered in the form of 974 poetic hymns in the holy text of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Nanak’s message of extraordinary men that fought for truth and became pillars of courage. Their places of worship called Gurdwaras, are sacred shrines that not only render spiritual comfort but also offer insight into how Sikhism has sustained.

India Post issues a set of five Commemorative Postage Stamps to mark the occasion of ‘550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’. These stamps feature five select Gurdwaras, considered extremely sacred, as they are situated at locations where Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent considerable time and lived there during his spiritual sojourn.

Gurudwara Nanak Lama Sahib, Chungthang

This is a beautiful, historical Sikh Gurdwara nestled in the Himalayas at Chungthang in North Sikkim, located 95 kilometres from Gangtok at an elevation of almost 18,000 feet above sea level. Interestingly, it is run by the Indian Army. Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited this place while returning from Tibet during the 4th ‘Udasi (Yatra). This place was a barren land. Guru Nanak threw a handful of paddy in that place. Now Chungthang is the only place in the surrounding areas where paddy grows in abundance. Another legend stated that in this plateau the yak caretakers sought Guru Nanak Ji’s request, but they did not find water in winter as it got frozen all over with the temperature falling to minus 35 degrees. Guru Nanak Dev Ji hit the presently snow-covered Guru Dongmar Lake with his stick to provide water to the grazers. The ice melted giving way to crystal clear water. Since then the water of the lake has never frozen. Guru Nanak further blessed the lake, saying, “Whosoever takes the water of this lake will gain vitality and strength and will be blessed with children.” The Gurdwara is situated at the confluence of two rivers: River Lachan and Lachung Chu, both tributaries of the River Teesta. The architecture of the Gurdwara maintains the typical dome and arch style as other Gurdwaras of the country but is influenced by the architecture and design of Tibetan monasteries.

Gurudwara Darbar Sahib, Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur

Gurudwara Darbar Sahib at Dera Baba Nanak, is situated on the banks of river Ravi. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, settled and mingled with the Almighty near the village Pakhoke Mehtan, opposite to the present town and named it Kartarpur – a town which now lies across the border in Pakistan. The Bedis (Khatris), descendants of Guru Nanak built a new town and named it Dera Baba Nanak after their ancestor. Pilgrims come to pay homage to this Gurdwara in large numbers. Dera Baba Nanak is a historical town and has many lanes and houses that have been preserved since the time of Guru Nanak. Also from this town, pilgrims can see Gurudwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur across the border in Pakistan. Guru Nanak came here after his first Udasi (tour) during December 1515 AD to meet members of his family. In November 2019, a corridor is going to be opened connecting the two Gurdwaras located at Dera Baba Nanak in India and Kartarpur across the border.

Gurudwara Janamasthan, Nankana Sahib

Gurudwara Janamasthan also referred to as Gurudwara Nankana Sahib was built at the site where Guru Nanak was born to Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta. The shrine is located in the city of Nankana Sahib, near Lahore in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The Gurdwara forms part of an ensemble of nine important Gurdwaras in Nankana Sahib. The shrine is frequently visited by Sikhi yatris as part of a pilgrimage to Pakistan. The first Gurdwara is believed to have been built in the 16th century by the grandson of Guru Nanak, Baba Dharam Chand. The current Gurdwara was built by Ranjit Singh in the 19th century and includes a domed sanctum with an attached rectangular pavilion, surrounded by a vast walled compound.

Gurudwara Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi

Gurudwara Ber Sahib, the principal shrine at Sultanpur, is situated on the bank of the rivulet Kali Bein. Guru Nanak Dev Ji performed his morning ablutions in the river Teesta and sat under a Ber tree to meditate. Guru Ji meditated under this tree daily for over 14 years. Gurudwara Ber Sahib is built by the side of this historic tree. The sanctum of the Gurudwara was built by Maharaja Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala. Standing on a high plinth and entered through a gothic arch, the structure is supported by octagonal columns and a small entrance gallery with a high ceiling. At the far end, marked off by a high archway decorated with floral designs in stucco, is the sanctum sanctorum, where the Guru Granth Sahib is seated on a white marble canopied throne. Around the sanctum are several important Sikh memorials, a largely attended fair takes place each November, to commemorate the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Sultanpur Lodhi is the nerve centre of the celebrations of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib, Bidar

One of the most famous Gurdwaras of South India, Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib is located at Bidar in Karnataka. Built a year after India’s independence in 1948, the Gurdwara is famous for its majestic shrine, lush gardens and an expansive pool, amidst a valley surrounded by hills on three sides. The Gurudwara contains the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib, Langar Hall and Diwan Hall. It is believed that at this point in the land of the holy shrine located on Gurdwara land exists the nectar and soul of all the Sikhs. The Gurudwara got its name after a popular incident which took place during the time of Guru Nanak. Guru Nanak was in the city of Bidar, where there was shortage of water and despite the efforts of the rulers, the local people were suffering. It is believed that Guru Nanak touched a rock with his foot and water started gushing out of it which afterward maintained a sweet water flow from the hillside. Today, at one such hilltop, is where the Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib stands.