Founder of Sikhi — The First Light
1469 – 1539
← Back to all GurusBorn on 15 April 1469 in Rai Bhoi di Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan). From childhood, Guru Nanak showed a deep spiritual inclination, often questioning rituals and social norms. His father Mehta Kalu was a revenue official, and his mother Mata Tripta was known for her piety.
At age 9, he refused to wear the sacred Hindu thread (janeu), declaring that a true thread should be one of compassion, contentment, and truth. He married Mata Sulakhni and had two sons, Sri Chand and Lakhmi Das.
At age 30, Guru Nanak went to bathe in the river Bein and disappeared for three days. When he emerged, he was filled with divine light and uttered his first words: “There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim.” This marked the beginning of his divine mission.
Guru Nanak undertook four epic journeys spanning nearly 28 years, covering over 28,000 km on foot. He traveled to Mecca, Baghdad, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and across the Indian subcontinent, engaging with people of all faiths, spreading the message of one God and equality.
Guru Nanak established the town of Kartarpur (Creator’s Town) on the banks of the River Ravi, creating the first Sikh community. Here he lived as a farmer, demonstrating that spiritual life and worldly life are not separate.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji laid the foundation for a faith that would grow to over 30 million followers worldwide. His revolutionary teachings on equality, service, and devotion continue to inspire people across all boundaries.
The Kartarpur Corridor, opened in 2019, allows pilgrims to visit the site where he spent his final years — a testament to the enduring power of his message of unity and love.
Nanak, the whole world is in distress. He who believes in the Name becomes victorious.