PETALING JAYA: The Sikh community and people from diverse backgrounds gathered at Darbar Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Malaysia in Petaling Jaya today to celebrate Gurpurab, the blessed day of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's descendance on earth.
Over five days, from Nov 11 to 15, they gathered to honour his enduring legacy of love, compassion, and humility.
"Gurpurab is a celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birth, embodying his message of love and unity," said Harjit Singh, a 59-year-old Sikh priest, known as Giani.
"This occasion inspires us to internalise his teachings through meditation and mindful actions, fostering a spirit of compassion and service among our diverse communities."
Harjit said that Gurpurab transcends mere words, offering a divine experience that evokes a profound sense of unity.
"It reminds us of Guru Nanak's three golden rules, urging us to deepen our understanding and share these teachings widely. Through love and togetherness during our festivities, we strive to become better human beings, dedicated to serving humanity," he added.
The three golden rules of Guru Nanak Dev Ji include principles that remind Sikhs to live with integrity, mindfulness, and compassion, especially during celebrations like Gurpurab.
"Guru Nanak Dev Ji provided humanity with three golden rules: 'Kirat Karni', which emphasises earning an honest living; 'Naam Japna', encouraging us to keep His name and teachings in our hearts; and 'Vand Chakna', the call to share and care for everyone, regardless of their background," said Gurveer Singh, a 21-year-old volunteer at Darbar Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Malaysia.
The Gurpurab festivities are rich with tradition, including a month-long recitation of the holy Guru Granth Sahib Ji, culminating in a communal reading that involves new readers every two hours.
"For a month, from Oct 11 to Nov 15, we engaged in the continuous recitation of the holy Guru Granth Sahib Ji, with a new reader every two hours, allowing everyone to participate, regardless of gender.
"This recitation, which takes about 48 hours to complete a full round, fosters a deep sense of community and spiritual connection among us," said Tripti Pal Kaur, 23, a Darbar Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Malaysia volunteer.
Last night marked the pinnacle of the celebrations, with a joyful gathering that began at 7pm and continued until the early hours of the morning.
"Over 200 people came together to sing hymns and celebrate Guru Nanak Dev Ji's descendance.
"The atmosphere was lively, filled with music and even fireworks," Tripti said, encouraging all to take the day off work to partake in this cherished celebration.
The event attracted not only local Sikhs but also participants from all over Malaysia and Singapore, alongside non-Sikhs eager to join in the festivities.
"We had people from various communities, including the Chinese, Indian, and Singaporean communities, coming to the temple to enjoy the langar and celebrate together.
"It was heartwarming to see so many people from different backgrounds engaging in the festivities, talking, eating, and sharing kindness and love for one another.
"Some even stayed until midnight, showcasing how community gatherings for Gurpurab can bring diverse groups together," said Tripti.
Today's celebrations concluded with a final recitation of the holy Guru Granth Sahib Ji, where attendees read aloud together.
Following this, the community participated in a series of events, including the washing of the Nishaan Sahib Selami, the Gurdwara's flag, which symbolises unity.
"We clean the flag with milk and water, replacing the old cloth with a fresh one during significant events like Gurpurab," added Tripti.
Further embodying the spirit of community, the Gurdwara's Sikh community launched the 'Sweeten Your City Project' initiative during Gurpurab, distributing traditional Indian sweets called ladoos to share Guru Nanak Dev Ji's message of kindness and love for each other.