Fri Nov 15 20:40:00 IST 2024: ## Thousands Gather in Hyderabad to Celebrate Guru Nanak’s 555th Birth Anniversary
**HYDERABAD, INDIA -** Devotees from across Hyderabad flocked to the Exhibition Grounds in Nampally on Friday to celebrate the 555th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. The event, also known as Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab, coincided with Kartik Purnima, a significant Hindu festival.
The grounds were transformed into a vibrant celebration space, decorated with marigold and rose flowers. A large pandal, adorned in blue and yellow, welcomed devotees with a red carpet leading to the elevated platform where the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book, was placed.
The celebration featured traditional hymns sung by children and preachers, accompanied by tabla and harmonium. Devotees listened with rapt attention, showing immense piety and reverence for the occasion.
Swaraj, a resident of Secunderabad, described the event as a family tradition, with her children eagerly awaiting the celebration every year. Sakshi Singh, who recently moved to Hyderabad from Delhi, expressed her joy at finding a similar sense of community and celebration in her new city.
The event attracted an estimated 4,000-5,000 devotees, including a significant number from non-Sikh communities. The Telangana Sikh Society organized a free eye camp, offering eye check-ups and free spectacles to underprivileged individuals.
The celebration underscored the importance of Guru Nanak’s teachings of equality, unity, and selfless service, exemplified by the free langar (community kitchen) that served fresh meals to all attendees.
The festivities in Hyderabad reflected the widespread celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti across India, honoring the legacy of a revered religious leader who continues to inspire millions with his message of compassion and universal love.
First Piper 