How to celebrate Guru Nanak Jayanti in your apartment
Guru Nanak Jayanti is a day to memorialize and honor the birthday of Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru and the founder of Sikhism. The festival is celebrated with the flavor of religion, in all part of India, specially Punjab, Haryana and in abroad, too. Usually it is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of Kartik as per the Hindu calender.
The festival starts with a morning procession, known as prabhat pheri. The whole procession starts from the local gurdwara. On the occasion of the auspicious festival, you can also organize the procession along with your apartment mates. So lets celebrate guru Nanak Jayanti in your apartment this year.
These are few tips and ways which can help you to organize Guru Nanak Jayanti in your apartment.
Prabhat pheri: The procession
As this a morning procession, you can invite all the apartments mates for the procession a day before and let them know the timing of the procession, so that they are aware of the events.
While the whole procession takes place, devotees sing ‘shabads’ (hymns). This can be a social gathering which can really be a good way to start the day of the festival.
Akhand path : The three days celebration
The holy book “Guru Granth Sahib” is read continuously for three days. You can organize a 48 hours of continuous reading of the holy book, until the festival ends. This will be a social gathering, where different types of hymns can be sang. While carrying the Guru Granth sahib in the procession on a float, you can decorate it with flowers. Make sure you arrange for the procession in proper tradition – while carrying the Guru Granth Sahib, it is accompanied by five armed guards carrying it, who represent the Panj Piaras. They lead the procession carrying the Nishan Sahibs (the Sikh flag). To make it exciting, you can also arrange local bands playing religious music form as a special part.
Decoration of the stage
Have a stage, where the whole path will take place and where people can sit and chant. Decorate the whole stage with yellow flowers and make sure that you have taken safety precautions as kids will also be all around.
Langar : The food
This festival gets everyone in a mood to celebrate food. It is a big food festival also. Make special menu, like aate ka seera, malai ladoo, jalebi, kaju barfi as proper desert. For main course you can have various Punjabi dishes. Cook together in the 
apartment to get the feeling of community cooking, like it is done in gurudwara during langar and distribute with your own hands. While distributing the food, chant “ wah hey guru”, as a tribute to God.
Invite orphan kids
You can invite the small kids from an orphanage, for lunch, and ask them to participate in the procession. Gift them cloths and books. Make them feel special, organize an event for them – like singing or drama competition.
Guru Nanak Jayanti is a very special occasion to show your immense faith in God. Enjoy the festival with your family and friends.
