It is one of the most sacred festivals of our sikh brothers. Guru nanak's birthday is celebrated on this occasion by lighting lamps. Hence it is also called prakashotsava or Jyototsava. The festivity of Guru Parab falls on the full moon day of Kartika (October-November) and is celebrated to commemorate Guru Nanak, the founder Guru of Sikhism. Guru Nanak was born in 1469 at Talwandi about 45 km s. away from Lahore and is now known as Nankana Sahib. At Nankana Sahib there is a beautiful Gurudwara, and a holy tank or sarovar. On Guru Parab, a grand fair and festival is held here, and Sikhs in thousands congregate here from India and abroad. Nanak was a great reformer, preacher and a saint.

In Sikhism, he tried to harmonize both Hinduism and Islam. He never believed in caste-distinctions and liberalized social practices. He preached the name of God as a potent means of spiritual realization. His name and its repetition helps us to develop the best in us. A true Sikh strives not for salvation or paradise but always loves to see God. Many of Nanak's hymns, which form part of the Guru Granth Sahib, reflect clearly how the sight of God and his love itself is supreme.

God is both nirgun and sagun Before creation, God lived absolutely in himself but then he became sagun ard manifested himself and became what is called the name; and in order to realize Himself He made nature, wherein He has His seat and is diffused everywhere and in all directions in the form of love. Nanak traveled widely in India and abroad and his life and teachings have been a great source of inspiration.

He was followed by nine other Gurus, in succession, under whom Sikhism gradually developed. On Guru Parab, Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture, is continuously read and recited in the Gurudwaras, processions are taken out, free langars (meals) are arranged and prasad is distributed. The festival is observed with great enthusiasm all over India. Similarly other Gurus are also commemorated on other Guru Parabs. For example, the second Guru Parab commemorating Guru Govind Singh is celebrated in the month of Pausha (December-January)