Nanak Dev, the first guru of the Sikhs and founder of the Sikh religion, was born to Hindu parents in a town which today is known as Nankana Sahib of Pakistan.
The Story of Guru Nanak's Birth
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Daulatan, the midwife delivered the infant Nanak from his mother Tripta Devi early one dark morning. Nanaki cuddled close to her new brother. The babe's father Kalu ji called Hardyal the astrologer to cast the newborn's horoscope.
Events and Birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev
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Guru Nanak was born April 15, 1469 A.D. to Tripta Devi and her husband Mehta Kalu of the Hindu Katri clan. The Birthplace of Guru Nanak has changed names over the centuries and has been known since his birth as Nankana, a town in Pakistan. Nankana belonged to the northern part of Punjab before partition. Modern day Nankana is predominantly Muslim.
Guru Nanak's Birth Date and Historical Calendars
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Guru Nanak's actual date of birth is obscured by changes to historic calendars and by full moon festivals. Controversy shrouds attempts to adjust the Nanakshahi calendar to a fixed rather than a variable date.
Ancient records indicate Nanak Dev to have been born in the year 1526 of the Vikram Samvat ancient Indian calendar. Depending on the calendar used for conversion, Guru Nanak's birth has been calculated to have occurred during the full moon either in March, or April, as well as November of 1469 A.D.
Historically, pooran mashi or full moon birthday festivities, were observed spring, yet modern full moon gurpurab festivities take place in fall.
Modern Nankana and Guru Nanak’s Birth Celebrations Illustrated
Photo © [S Khalsa]
The modern day Nankana Sahib in Pakistan is a small town with narrow streets. Nankana formerly belonged to Panjab, the homeland of the Sikhs. Nankana is home to a number of ancient gurdwaras built to commemorate events which occurred during Guru Nanak’s life including one called Janam Asthan which commemorates his birth. After 50 years of partition, Pakistani government organized restorative to be work done on many gurdwaras of historical importance and opened these to Sikhs for Guru Nanak's 530th gurpurab birthday pooran mashi celebration in the fall of 1999. Festivities lasted nearly a week.
