“The Bounteous Lord heard the anguished cries of humanity and so Guru Nanak, He (Almighty) sent to this world of woe.” – Bhai Gurudas Ji.

According to some ancient Sikh records Guru Nanak was born in the early morning in the month of Baisakh which is believed to be the 15^th April 1469; while some other historians state the date of birth as October 20^th, 1469 at Rai Bhoi di Talwandi Nankana Sahib at present place (Punjab) Pakistan. Now the Sikhs celebrate this auspicious event (Gurpurab) around the world each year on the Pooranmashi (Full Moon Day) in the Lunar month of Katak (October – November) which falls on different dates every year.

Guru Nanak’s father was Kalyan Das Mehta also known as Mehta Kalu and his mother was Mata Tripta, they belong to the Vedic Kshatriya caste. His father was the local Patwari (Chief Accountant) for Crop Revenue in the Talwandi village. Guru Nanak Ji had an elder sister named Babey Nanaki who was the first to recognize Guru Nanak as an Enlightened Soul. At a younger age he was asked to wear the Janeu (Sacred Thread) but Guru Nanak simply refused to wear the thread. Arguing that caste should not be used as a means of judging a person. Nanak would often debate with religious pandits (priest) about the nature of GOD and true religious practice. Thus, Guru Nanak wanted the thread to be made of mercy and contentment and wanted the truth to hold the Sacred Thread.

On 24 September 1487 Guru Nanak was married to Mata Sulakhani ji in the town of Batala and they had two son’s Shri Chand and Lakhmi Das. The family accompanied by Bhai Mardana, a Muslim childhood friend of Guru Nanak, who had always played the Rebab (a musical stringed instrument) while Guru Nanak sang moved to the town of Sultanpur Lodhi where Guru Nanak took the job of the store in charge under Daulat Khan Lodhi (local Governor). Initially, Guru Nanak followed his father’s footsteps but his heart was not in worldly life and he was more interested in spending time in meditation and selfless service to uplift mankind.

At the age of 28, one morning Guru Nanak Dev Ji went as usual to Vein River to bathe and meditate. It was said that he was gone for 3 days. When he reappeared with the spirit of GOD. He spoke saying “There is no Hindu, no Muslim and began his missionary works and travels to lead people with the path of truth to dispel superstition and ritualistic practices. Guru Nanak Dev Ji belongs to a Hindu family but he studied both Hinduism and Islam extensively. Although he had a deep interest in religion but not accepting religious dogma.

Guru Nanak made four great spiritual journeys traveling to all parts of India, Sri Lanka, Arabia, Persia and Mecca. Everywhere he had a spiritual discussion and having followers from all religious backgrounds. He spoke in the temples and mosques and all pilgrimage sites. He asked the Muslims to be true Muslims and the Hindus to be true Hindus. After all his Great Journeys Guru Nanak tried a new experiment. Guru Nanak settled in Kartarpur and established a city named Kartarpur in 1522. Through his teachings, Guru Nanak had become extremely popular both the Hindus and Muslims.

On 22^nd September 1939, Guru Nanak Dev Ji breathed his last/Jyoti jot. A debate between Hindus and Muslims arose as who would give the honor for his funeral rites. While Hindus and Sikhs wanted to cremate the mortal and the Muslims wanted to perform the last rites according to their beliefs. It was surprising that Guru Nanak’s mortal remains disappeared and all they could see in place of his body were fresh flowers. IT is said that his Hindus and Sikhs picked up their flowers and cremated. While the Muslims Buried the flowers as per their belief.

Therefore, both the Samadhi (Hindu traditions monument of remembrance) and a Grave (according to Muslim traditions) were created by each community. A Gurudwara now stands there on the west bank of Ravi River in Punjab Pakistan. This Gurudwara is also visible from the Indian side of the border, from the Gurudwara at the historic town of Dera Baba Nanak in India. Both sides are considered to be the holiest places in Sikhism.