A Miniature Sheet consisting of 5 nos. of postage stamp on the 550^th Guru Nanak Dev Ji Parkash Guru Purab, celebration of the birth of first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak, one of the most sacred festivals in Sikhism (Sikhi) :

Issued by India

Issued on Nov 9, 2019

Issued for : Department of Posts is proud to release a set of five Commemorative Postage Stamps and a Miniature Sheet portraying five sacred Gurudwaras on the historic occasion of ‘550^th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Ji’.

Credits :
Stamps/Miniature Sheet/FDC/Brochure : Shri Kamleshwar Singh
Cancellation Cachet : Smt. Alka Sharma

Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 1000 Paise (4) and 1500 Paise (1)

Stamps Printed : 500000 each

Miniature Sheets Printed : 110000

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539) was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His birth is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak Guru Purab on Kartik Pooranmashi, the full moon day in the month of Katak (October-November). He travelled far and wide teaching people the message of one God. His preaching is registered in the form of 974 poetic hymns in the holy text of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikhism gave a league of extraordinary men that fought for truth and became pillars of courage. Their places of worship called Gurudwaras, are sacred shrines that not only render spiritual comfort but also offer insight into how Sikhism has sustained.
• India Post issues a set of five Commemorative Postage Stamps to mark the occasion of “550^th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji”. These stamps feature five select Gurudwaras, considered extremely sacred, as they are situated at locations where Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent considerable time and lived there during his spiritual sojourn.
• Gurudwara Nanak Lama Sahib, Chungthang
  • This is a beautiful, historical Gurudwara nestled in the Himalayas at Chungthang in North Sikkim, located 95 kilometres from Gangtok at an elevation of almost 18,000 feet above sea level. Interestingly, it is run by the Indian Army. Guru Nanak Dev ji visited this place while returning from Tibet during the 4^th Udasi (Yatra). This place was a barren land. Guru Nanak threw a handful of paddy in that place. Now Chungthang is the only place in the surrounding areas where paddy grows in abundance. Another legend states that in this plateau the yak grazers approached Guru Nanak with a request, that they did not find water in winter as it got frozen allover with the temperature falling to minus 35 degrees. Guru Nanak Dev ji hit the perpetually snow-covered Guru Dongmar Lake with his stick to provide water to the grazers. The ice melted giving way to crystal clear water. Since then the water of the lake has never frozen. Guru Nanak further blessed the lake, saying, ‘Whosoever takes the water of this lake will gain virility and strength and will be blessed with children.’ The Gurudwara is situated at the confluence of two rivers: River Lachen and Lachung Chu, both tributaries of the River Teesta. The architecture of the Gurudwara maintains the typical dome and arch style as other Gurudwaras of the country but is influenced by the architecture and design of Tibetan monasteries.
• Gurudwara Darbar Sahib, Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur
  • Gurudwara Darbar Sahib at Dera Baba Nanak, is situated on the banks of river Ravi. Guru Nanak Dev Ji, settled and mingled with the Almighty near the village Pakhoke Mehmaran, opposite to the present town and named it Kartarpur – a town which now lies across the border in Pakistan. The Bedis (Khatris), descendants of Guru Nanak built a new town and named it Dera Baba Nanak after their ancestor. Pilgrims come to pay homage to this Gurudwara in large numbers. Dera Baba Nanak is a historical town and has many lanes and houses that have been preserved since the time of Guru Nanak. Also from this town, pilgrims can see Gurudwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur across the border in Pakistan. Guru Nanak came here after his first Udasi (tour) during December 1515 AD to meet members of his family. In November 2019, a corridor is going to be opened connecting the two Gurudwaras located at Dera Baba Nanak in India and Kartarpur across the border.
• Gurudwara Janamasthan, Nankana Sahib
  • Gurudwara Janamasthan also referred to as Gurudwara Nankana Sahib was built at the site where Guru Nanak was born to Mehta Kalu and Mata Tripta. The shrine is located in the city of Nankana Sahib, near Lahore in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The Gurudwara forms part of an ensemble of nine important Gurudwaras in Nankana Sahib. The shrine is frequently visited by Sikh yatris as part of a pilgrimage route in Pakistan. The first Gurudwara is believed to have been built at the site in the 16^th century by the grandson of Guru Nanak, Baba Dharam Chand. The current Gurudwara was built by Ranjit Singh in the 19^th century and includes a domed sanctum with an attached rectangular pavilion, surrounded by a vast walled compound.
• Gurudwara Ber Sahib, Sultanpur Lodhi
  • Gurudwara Ber Sahib, the principal shrine at Sultanpur, is situated on the bank of the rivulet Kali Bein. Guru Nanak Dev Ji performed his morning ablutions in the rivulet and then sat under a Ber tree to meditate. Guru Ji meditated under this tree daily for over 14 years. Gurudwara Ber Sahib is built by the side of this old Ber tree. The present building of the Gurudwara was built by Maharaja Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala. Standing on a high plinth and entered through a portico, the Gurudwara is supported by octagonal columns and a small entrance gallery with a high ceiling. At the far end, marked off by a high archway decorated with floral designs in stucco, is the sanctum sanctorum, where the Guru Granth Sahib is seated on a white marble canopied throne. Besides the daily services and observance of important Sikh anniversaries, a largely attended fair takes place each November to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Sultanpur Lodhi is the nerve centre of the celebrations of the 550^th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
• Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib, Bidar
  • One of the most famous Gurudwaras of South India, Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib is located at Bidar in Karnataka. Built a year after India’s independence in 1948, the Gurudwara is famous for its majestic shrine, lush gardens and an expansive pool, amidst a valley surrounded by hills on three sides. The Gurudwara comprises different sections including Darbar Sahib, Langar Hall and Diwan Hall. It is believed that a dip in the tank of the holy water in front of the Gurudwara stairs will cleanse the body and soul of all the sins. The Gurudwara got its name after a popular incident which took place here; according to legend, Guru Nanak was staying on the outskirts of Bidar, where there was shortage of water and despite the efforts of the village people, drinkable water was hard to find. It is believed that Guru Nanak touched a part of the hillside with his toes and removed some debris after which a fountain of sweet water gushed out from there. Today, on the side of the fountain, is where the Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib stands.
• Text : Sh. Pallab Bose.

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