When Guru Nanak stopped at Hardwar a pilgrimage center on the Ganges river he found a large gathering of devotees. They were taking ritual baths in the holy river and offering water to the sun. Guru Nanak upon hearing this started throwing water in the opposite direction towards the west. The pilgrims realized their folly and fell at the Gurus feet. Asceticism doesn't lie in the earring, nor in the shaven head, nor blowing a conch.
Asceticism lies in remaining pure amidst impurities.
Asceticism doesn't lie in visiting burial places, It lies not in wandering about, nor in bathing at places of pilgrimage. Asceticism is to remain pure amidst impurities. After his first long journey, Guru Nanak returned home after twelve years of propagating his message. He then set out on a second journey traveling as far south as Sri Lanka. Guru Nanak would one day settle down here in his old age.