Festivals
A festival is a time of celebration and joy. Many celebrations are common to Sikh communities around the world.
Gurpurbs
Gurpurbs are festivals that celebrate the anniversary of births or deaths of Gurus. There are many celebrations throughout the year. However, throughout the world, the four Gurpurbs that are celebrated the most widely are:
- the birthday of Guru NanakGuru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Gurus, who lived from 1469 to 1539. (October/November)
- the birthday of Guru Gobind SinghGuru Gobind Singh was the tenth and final Sikh Guru. He established the Khalsa and completed the Guru Granth Sahib, the most important Sikh holy book. (December/January)
- the martyrSomeone who suffers death and persecution for their beliefs. of Guru ArjanGuru Arjan was the fifth Sikh Guru. He was born in 1563 and was executed in 1606 on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, and was the first Guru to be martyred. (May/June)
- the martyrdom of Guru Tegh BahadurGuru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Sikh Guru and was born in 1621. In 1675 he was executed on the orders of the Mughal emperor. Guru Tegh Bahadur wrote a number of hymns which are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. (November/December)
Gurpurbs are important because they allow Sikhs to celebrate the history of Sikhism and remember the religion’s key beliefs and values. Gurpurbs help Sikhs to strengthen their faith and remind them of the sacrifices the Gurus made. Gurpurbs are also important as they enable Sikhs to share their faith with the wider community. This brings the sangatCongregation in a Sikh gurdwara. together as a community.
Divali
DivaliA Hindu festival of light. Sikhs celebrate too, increasingly calling the day Bandhi Chhor Divas. is a festival that is celebrated throughout India by both Hindus and Sikhs. It is a festival of lights, and so symbolises good overcoming evil. For Sikhs, it is a celebration of freedom.
Divali is important for Sikhs for several reasons:
- It allows Sikhs to remember the bravery of Guru HargobindGuru Hargobind was the sixth Sikh Guru who lived from 1595 to 1644. He became Guru at the age of eleven after the execution of his father, Guru Arjan. Guru Hargobind founded the Sikh military tradition., who was imprisoned with 52 Hindu princes for political reasons. He was released but refused to leave unless the princes were released too. He was told that whoever could hold onto his cloak as he walked out of the prison could also be released. He had 52 tassels on it, and each prince was able to hold onto them and so they were all freed. On his return to the Golden Temple in AmritsarCity in North-Western part of Indian. Spiritual centre for Sikhs., he was welcomed by Sikhs, who had decorated the temple.
- It celebrates the way Sikh leaders have supported freedom and equality.
- It remembers the martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh, who was the granthiReader of the Guru Granth Sahib, who officiates at ceremonies. This can be a man or a woman. at the Golden Temple who transcribed the final version of the Guru Granth SahibThe Guru Granth Sahib is the most important Sikh holy book. It is a collection of songs, prayers and hymns from the Sikh Gurus and other holy men, as well as teachings from other faiths. It is treated as a living Guru.. He was martyred when the Mughal EmpireAn empire controlling most of northern India, founded in the mid-1500s and ruled over by the Muslim Mughal dynasty for the next two centuries. emperor, who had allowed a celebration to happen at the Golden Temple in exchange for a large tax, deceived him and planned to kill the Sikhs at the celebration. Bhai Mani Singh sacrificed himself to save the many followers.
- It helps Sikhs to remember the oneness of humanityThe Sikh belief that all humans are equal because Waheguru created everyone equally. and the importance of treating everybody fairly.
