Chandigarh/Amritsar, Nov 13 (IANS) Celebrations to mark Gurpurab - the birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak Dev - began in Punjab Thursday morning with thousands of devotees paying obeisance at gurudwaras (Sikh shrines).Gurudwaras across Punjab as well as in neighbouring Haryana and Himachal Pradesh were decorated with lights to celebrate the occasion.

At the holiest Sikh shrine of Harmandar Sahib in Amritsar (popularly known as the Golden Temple), thousands of devotees kept pouring in since the wee hours of Thursday.

Amidst singing of hymns and serving of food prepared at langar (community kitchen), most places wore a festive look. Langars were also organised by devout along highways for those travelling Thursday.

Guru Nanak Dev was born in 1469 at Nankana Sahib, a town near Lahore, now in Pakistan.

A 2,500-strong group of devotees left for Pakistan Tuesday to take part in the Gurpurab celebrations at Nankana Sahib.