Across continents and generations, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s light continues to guide millions. A saint, philosopher, reformer, and the founder of one of the world’s youngest yet most profound religions, Guru Nanak’s life and teachings have become a spiritual bridge for the global Sikh diaspora, rooting them in compassion, equality, and service even as they thrive far from the land of their origin.

As the world marks the 556th Prakash Utsav, gurdwaras from Vancouver to Virginia, from London to Lahore, glow with devotion and celebration. Akhand Paths, continuous recitations from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, resonate through the week, culminating in kirtan darbars and community langars that embody Guru Nanak’s message of Sarbat da Bhalla—the welfare of all. Families illuminate homes and temples, reaffirming a faith that transcends geography.

Born in 1469 in Nankana Sahib, now in Pakistan, Guru Nanak rose from humble beginnings to challenge caste divisions, gender inequality, and social injustice. His call for unity and universal brotherhood feels strikingly urgent today, as societies worldwide grapple with polarization, inequality, and intolerance. His vision of a shared humanity, where faith and service walk hand in hand, continues to inspire both spiritual and civic life across the diaspora.

At the heart of Sikh practice lies the langar – the community kitchen where all sit as equals. From community centers in Toronto and Melbourne to relief efforts in California and Kenya, diaspora Sikhs have turned Guru Nanak’s centuries-old institution into a modern global movement for social good. Whether feeding the homeless, serving refugees, or aiding disaster victims, this living tradition of service (seva) continues to nourish body and spirit alike.

One of the holiest places associated with Guru Nanak Dev Ji is Sri Kartarpur Sahib, where he spent his final years as both a spiritual guide and a humble farmer. The creation of the Kartarpur Corridor, linking India’s Gurdaspur district with Pakistan’s Narowal, remains one of the most powerful gestures of faith overcoming politics. Inaugurated in 2019 after decades of advocacy, the corridor allows up to 5,000 pilgrims a day to visit without a visa, offering diaspora Sikhs an emotional pilgrimage to a site once thought forever out of reach.

Inside Kartarpur, the marble shrine gleams amidst verdant fields, home to the well Guru Nanak once used for farming, a serene sarovar, langar hall, museum, and diwan halls for pilgrims. Local sewadars serve meals, guide visitors, and preserve the sanctity of a place where history, humility, and harmony intertwine. Even this year’s monsoon floods could not subdue the spirit of the faithful—swift restoration ensured the Gurdwara reopened within days.

For diaspora Sikhs, the Prakash Utsav is not only a celebration of Guru Nanak’s birth—it is a reaffirmation of identity, continuity, and collective purpose. From candlelit vigils in suburban gurdwaras to interfaith gatherings in metropolitan halls, the spirit of Ek Onkar—the oneness of all creation—continues to illuminate hearts and homes around the world.

More than five centuries after his birth, Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s message remains clear and universal: that truth and compassion are not bound by creed or border, and that the most sacred act is to serve humanity itself.

Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this article/column are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of South Asian Herald.

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