There’s a lot of happiness and excitement: Shivangi Verma on celebrating Guru Nanak Jayanti
Tera Ishq Mera Fitoor actress Shivangi Verma says celebrating Guru Nanak Jayanti is very special for her. She said, “On this special day, we traditionally go to the Gurdwara to celebrate Guru Nanak’s birthday. We light candles as part of the celebration, much like how we celebrate other joyous occasions. There’s a lot of happiness and excitement.”
“Everyone gathers at the Gurdwara, lights candles, and celebrates together. The entire Gurdwara is beautifully lit up, creating a festive and spiritual atmosphere. It’s a day filled with joy, prayers, and community bonding,” she added.
She also shared that she has learned and applied the teachings of Guru Nanak ji in her life and said that they revolve around finding peace, happiness, and confidence. “When we celebrate Guru Nanak’s birthday and engage in these activities, it fills us with a sense of calm and positivity. We believe it’s all because of his blessings,” she said.
“By honoring him, we feel his grace in our lives, which inspires us to stay stronger and more confident. This belief keeps us connected to his teachings and encourages us to live a better life,” she added.
Shivangi also said that though it’s not mandatory for her to make kadha prasad, they do it as a family tradition. “We prepare special prasad at home, which is usually sweet and significant for the occasion. Then we go to the Gurdwara, where prasad is also distributed,” she said.
“It’s believed that the prasad is blessed, and everyone enjoys eating it together. Sharing the prasad brings joy and a sense of togetherness to the celebration,” she added.
A childhood memory of Guru Nanak Jayanti? “I remember celebrating Guru Nanak Jayanti back in Delhi, and it was such a grand and lively experience. One of the most beautiful traditions was the Prabhat Pheri. It’s like an early morning procession where Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a beautifully decorated truck that moves through the streets. Ahead of the truck, the sangat (devotees) clean the road to ensure the path is pure and clean for the procession,” she said.
“As the truck moves, more people join in, creating a large and joyous crowd. It’s such a beautiful and spiritual memory that I deeply cherish. Here in Mumbai, I miss those grand celebrations, especially the Prabhat Pheris. However, we still continue the tradition of going to the Gurdwara in the evenings to light candles. At home, we prepare prasad and celebrate in our own way. It’s a tradition that every Punjabi family holds close to their heart, keeping the spirit of the occasion alive, no matter where they are,” Shivangi concluded.
