New Delhi, Nov 23: Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today greeted the nation on the occasion of Guru Nanak’s birthday, which will be celebrated on Saturday.

Extending greetings to the people in his message, Ansari said that Guru Nakak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism showed us the path of peace, harmony and righteousness.

“His divine message of devotion of thought, excellence of conduct and tolerance has a timeless relevance and can transform the society,” he added.

The Vice President said that Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birthday offers us the opportunity to derive inspiration from his life and deeds by creating a just, peaceful and contented society

In his message, Dr. Singh said that Guru Nanak’s message of fraternity and universalism, acquires a crucial dimension in today’s world.

“Guru Nanak stressed that inner purity could be achieved through detachment. His teachings show the path to spiritual salvation and inspire us to embrace equality compassion and humanism,” he added.

Dr. Singh also hoped that Guru Nanak’s life and teachings would continue to guide humanity for all times to come.

Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of the Sikh religion, was born in November 1469 at Talwandi, now called Nankana Sahib.

The anniversaries of Sikh Guru’s are known as Gurpurabs (festivals), and celebrated by Sikhs with devotion.

Gurpurabs mark the culmination of Prabhat Pheris, the early morning procession that starts from the gurdwaras and then goes around localities singing ‘shabads’ (hymns).

The celebrations also include the three-day Akhand path, during which the Guru Granth Sahib is read continuously, from beginning to end without a break.

On the day of the festival, the Granth Sahib is also carried in a procession on a float, decorated with flowers, throughout a village or city.

Five armed guards, who represent the Panj Pyares, head the procession carrying Nishan Sahibs (the Sikh flag). Local bands play religious music as a special part of the procession. (ANI)