Guru Nanak: Saint, Philosopher, Poet

Guru Nanak, founded Sikhism on the basis of a bias-free religion, preaching ‘God is One’.

He said, ‘I am neither Hindu nor Muslim, I am a follower of God,’ which referred to his belief in the one God who is omnipresent, without form and timeless (nirankar, akar, alakh).

He was strongly against artificially created divisions and discrimination, both in word and deed. He said that the caste of a person was based on his actions.

In view of the importance of Guru Nanak’s teachings in contemporary times, the world is celebrating the saint-poet-philosopher’s 550th birth anniversary to convey the message of universal brotherhood.

In today’s visual world, where seeing elicits more recall than words, the best way to communicate Guru Nanak’s teachings is through documentary photographs that cover the heritage left behind by Guru Nanak. This heritage is in the form of his belongings, gurdwaras to commemorate his four major travels (known as udasis), historic paintings and frescos in gurdwaras, folios, Janamsakhis and hand-written Granth Sahibs.

From a fresco at Baoli Sahib Gurdwara, Goindwal, Punjab

Historical gurdwaras associated with Guru Nanak’s birth and childhood in Nankana Sahib in present-day Pakistan

From Frescos depicting scenes from Guru Nanak’s wedding.

Frescos from Baba Atal Gurdwara, Amritsar, illustrating stories from Guru Nanak’s life, his travels and miracles

Guru Nanak and Mardana travelled far and wide, spreading the holy message of peace and compassion. Despite the hazards of travel, he visited most of the known religious places and centres of worship in and outside India.An image of Guru Nanak image engraved in silver at Takhat Hazoor Sahib, Nanded

A rock with an imprint of Guru Nanak’s hand at Panja Sahib Gurdwara in Hasan Abdal and paintings illustrating the story.

Historical gurdwaras associated with Guru Nanak’s life in India

Paintings from a janamsakhi depicting popular stories from Guru Nanak’s life.

Guru Nanak’s life is fairly well documented in paintings found in Janamsakhis which were written by his contemporary writers, folios of paintings, wall paintings and frescos in historical gurdwaras. These are paintings of Guru Nanak with his minstrel companions Bala and Mardana.

An image of Guru Nanak embossed on gold plates and a door panel presented by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to the Golden Temple, AmritsarA gold necklace with Guru Nanak’s image presented by Maharaja Ranjit Singh to Golden Temple, preserved in the Toshakhana. Embossed images of the 1st and 10 Gurus on a door of Sachkhand Sahib, Nanded.

Gurdwara Nanak Piao, built to commemorate Guru Nanak’s visit in Delhi

An imprint of Guru Nanak in meditation on a rock where the Pathar Sahib Gurdwaras now stands in Ladakh. The gurudwara, 25 kilometres from Leh, district headquarter of Ladakh, commemorates Guru Nanak’s visit to Ladakh in 1517. It houses the boulder with an imprint of Guru Nanak’s head, shoulders and back. Not only the Sikh and Hindu devotees but also Tibetans offer respects at the gurdwara. Tibetans revere Guru Nanak as Lama Nanak.

The sacred chola (robe ) of Guru Nanak, preserved by Sukhdev Singh Bedi, a descendant of Guru Nanak, in village Dera Baba Nanak, Punjab. It is believed that this chola was presented to the Guru by a Muslim divine during Guru Nanak’s Visit to Mecca. A cap (topi) and a Rumala of Guru Nanak’s preserved at Manji Sahib Gurdwara, Ropar and other belongings.

The concept of langar, community kitchen was an innovative charity and symbol of equality introduced by Guru Nanak. The tradition was followed by all Sikh gurus to uphold the principal of equality of all people regardless of caste, colour, creed, religion, gender or social status.

Soldiers of the Sikh Regiment of the Indian Army swear by the Guru Granth Sahib. The Granth Sahib contains 974 hymns written by Guru Nanak, along with hymns by other Sikh gurus and saints.