Shimla, Nov 25 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Wednesday greeted the people on Guru Nanak Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the founder of Sikh religion Guru Nanak Dev.

"We should follow the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev for an enriched and peaceful life," Devvrat said in a statement.

Guru Nanak Dev preached love, peace and harmony to strengthen the bond of brotherhood, said Virbhadra Singh.

Thousands of devotees thronged the famous Sikh shrine at Manikaran in Kullu district, the historic gurdwara Sri Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district and other gurdwaras across the state to mark 'Gurpurab'.

Gurdwaras were illuminated since Tuesday in the state capital Shimla, and there was an atmosphere of festivities to mark the occasion.

'Langars' or community kitchens were arranged at several places in and around gurdwaras.

Born in 1469 at Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan's Punjab province), Guru Nanak Dev founded Sikhism.