Pune Celebrates Guru Nanak's 557th Birthday with Prayers, Seva, and Community Outreach

As of November 4, 2025, the Sikh and Sindhi communities in Pune, India are coming together to mark the 557th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. Gurdwaras across the city, including those in Camp, Pimpri, Ganesh Peth, and other areas, are hosting large gatherings of devotees for prayers, kirtans, and langars.

The celebrations began earlier this week with a Nagar Kirtan procession that started at Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Ganesh Peth and reached the Gurudwara Guru Nanak Darbar in Camp by the evening. On the actual anniversary, the day will start with the completion of the Sri Akhand Paath Sahib Ji, followed by kirtans and kathas featuring prominent ragi jathas.

Beyond the spiritual observances, the Sikh and Sindhi communities are also organizing various community service initiatives. Medical camps offering dental, orthopedic, women's health, and free eye check-ups have been set up, along with a blood donation drive that collected over 1,000 bags last year.

At the Sadhu Vaswani Mission, the Guru Nanak Jayanti celebration will follow the age-old tradition of Modikhana, inspired by the Guru's practice of sitting as a grocer and distributing food to those in need. Devotees contribute funds that are then used to provide essentials to around 250 widowed and needy families across Pimpri, Daund, and Pune.

For many, this day is a time to reconnect with their roots and values. Young devotees like 22-year-old Simran Arora volunteer at the langars and help pack food, while business owners like Balvinder Singh make sure to close their shops early to join the evening kirtans. The celebrations serve as an anchor for the younger generation to stay connected with their community and the Guru's message of compassion and equality.