Guru Nanak Jayanti or Gurpurab is the most important festival for Sikhs and followers of Guru Nanak. It is a momentous occasion and marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji. Celebrated worldwide by the followers of Guru Nanak, the festivities begin a week or so before Gurpurab by Prabhat Feri processions with enthusiastic devotees singing sacred hymns in the early hours of the morning. Such singing processions called Prabhat Feris serve to remind us of Guru Nanak’s teaching of ONE – NESS which is most relevant in society today.
This year’s Prabhat Feri at Malibu Towne on 18th November was unique as it was led and managed by small children. About 85 of them from nearby colonies from South City 1 to Nirvana participated, reaching Malibu Club on Saturday morning at 7 am. The children had their parents too joining the congregation of about 300 devotees of all ages. Some came singing kirtan in a bus, others in cars and all walked together in procession from the club gate up to the hall inside. After entering the colourful Diwan with Parkash of Guru Granth Sahib, some elder kids performed Keertan sitting beside the Granth Sahib and facing the Sangat. It was a divine sight.
No Gurpurab celebration is complete without partaking in a community meal or Langar which symbolizes equality and brotherhood. Here in the morning Langar, children performed the seva of serving hot breakfast to one and all who attended.
During informal interaction, people who arrived from nearby colonies appreciated the green environs of Malibu Towne. It was indeed a festive gathering of sorts and promoted bonhomie and the message of one-ness.
The 2023 Prabhat Feri at Malibu Towne was an exciting event for innocent children of devotees of various ages. It shall certainly be remembered for several years.
