Mark as one of the most auspicious Sikh festivals, people celebrate this festival around the nation with utmost joy and ardor. Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2023 marks the birth anniversary of the tenth and the last Sikh leader, Guru Gobind Singh. He was a legendary warrior, great poet-writer, and most divine philosophers in the Sikh community.
He was considered the patron of scholars and had 52 poets and writers in his court. Moreover, he courageously fought to establish justice and equality and spread the message of peace, simplicity, and brotherhood in the world. Guru Gobind Singh was blessed with a rich, melodious voice. Using it, he inspired thousands of Sikhs to fight against injustice and bring peace to the nation.
Not only this, but he was also the person behind the establishment of the Khalsa Panth. This year, on Jan 05, it will be the 356th birth anniversary of the great Sikh leader Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
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| Event | Date & Day |
| Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | 05 January 2023 |
Guru Gobind Singh was amongst the most sacred, influential, and learned gurus. He was the tenth and the last living guru of the Sikhs. Moreover, it is said that he was a warrior who protected Sikhism by fighting off others. Guru Gobind Singh was a divine philosopher and spiritual leader. He evoked faith and greatly participated in forming Khalsa, the preform of Sikhism. At the age of 9 years, Guru Gobind Singh succeeded his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, who attained martyrdom while protecting religious freedom. He belonged to the sacred lineage of Sikh Gurus. As there were no successors left, he was the last Sikh leader. All four sons of Guru Gobind Singh attained martyrdom.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was the son of the ninth Sikh Leader, Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh, and Gujri Devi. As per the Gregorian calendar, he was born on December 22, 1666. However, as per the lunar and Sikh calendar 2023, his Jayanti will be January 05, 2023.
He was born in Patna, Bihar, and lived there for the first four years of his life. Then, his family moved to Anandpur Sahib (Earlier known as Chakk Nanaki) in Punjab in 1670. He acquired his education at Chakk Nanaki, situated in the Shivalik hills of the Himalayas. He learned to be a fierce warrior there and mastered the Sanskrit and Persian languages.
When Guru Gobind Singh Ji was only nine years old, the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb declared orders, forcing the Kashmiri Pandits to leave their religion and become Muslims by adapting the Islam religion. The nine-year-old, Guru Gobind Singh convinced his father to fight for the rights of the Kashmiri Pandits and their freedom of religion. The great leader, Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh, sacrificed his life fighting against forced conversion and saved the Hindu religion from the clutches of the Mughals. After the death of his father, Guru Gobind Singh was declared the tenth Guru of the Sikhs on March 29, 1676.
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In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji established the Khalsa Panth on the day of Baisakhi. The Khalsa Panth was a family of soldier saints. Their duties were to fight against all injustice and to protect the innocent.
During the Baishakhi, Guru Gobind Singh came out of a tent carrying a sword in front of thousands of Sikhs gathered in Anandpur Sahib. He challenged any Sikh ready to sacrifice his life to be a part of the Khalsa Panth. A volunteer agreed and joined the leader in the tent. After a while, Guru Gobind Singh Ji returned with the sword covered in blood. He challenged another volunteer and repeated the actions with five warriors.
Most people at the occasion grew anxious about what was happening. Just then, they witnessed the five men return from the tent. The men were from then on called the Panj Pyare or the Beloved Five.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji then created a baptizing method by mixing water and sugar in an iron bowl and dipping a double-edged sword. He then called the water Amrut (or Holy Water). Moreover, he baptized the Panj Pyare. Subsequently, he welcomed them into the Khalsa by changing their last name to Singh, which means Lion.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was then declared the sixth member of the Khalsa. He changed his name from Guru Gobind Rai to Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He proceeded to establish the importance of the 5 “K’s for the members of the Khalsa, i.e., Kesh(hair), Kangha(Comp), Kada (Steel Bracelet), Kirpan (Dagger), Kuchera (A pair of shorts).
The man instructed them to carry these five items with them at all times. Hence, everyone in the Sikh community follows the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Everyone ensures that they always carry these five items with them.
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After the death of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb, Guru Gobind Singh Ji developed a positive relationship with Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. He helped him become the next Emperor. This relationship threatened Nawab Wajid Khan. Therefore, he had two of his men follow Guru Gobind Singh Ji in an attempt to have him killed. These two men attacked the great leader with deceit, which led to his death on October 7, 1708. In his final days, Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared the Guru Granth Sahib as the Holy Scripture of the Sikhs. He requested his disciples to bow down before the Holy book.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji not only guided the Sikh community through the path of life. He also protested against crimes and atrocities around the world with the help of literary work. Here is a list of some of his most prestigious works as a poet-writer.
In his life, Guru Gobind Singh fought for justice and firmly stood against the Mughals. In 1699, he took five people from the lower castes and then baptized them. He announced that all these five men were his beloved. Moreover, he endowed them with courage, wisdom, and immense devotion to God. Not only this, he taught them the power of fearlessness and dedication to the almighty who protects all oppressed individuals. Also, he established the Khalsa, a renowned military force comprising saint soldiers.
Khalsa strictly followed a spiritual discipline and a moral code under the supervision, inspiration, and guidance of Guru Gobind Singh. Because of the courage evoked by him, people fearlessly fought against the oppression of Mughal rulers. Not only this, but Guru Gobind Singh was also a learned poet and writer. He had penned huge literary and scholarly works. Before his death in 1708, he announced the Guru Granth Sahib as the permanent Sikh Guru. It is a Holy scripture in Sikhism.
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People celebrate Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti with great zeal. They burn diyas, lamps, and firecrackers and visit Gurudwara. On the eve of the event, devotees organize special prayers and processions. This day is also well-known as Prakash Utsav or Prakash Parv in various parts of India. In the Gurudwaras, as a Seva, people prepare a massive amount of food. It is served as Langar to all guests, regardless of their religion, caste, or creed.
One of the most important rituals carried out on the day of this spiritual celebration is the recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib.
As the priest (Granthi) begins reading the revered Guru Granth Sahib two days before the Jayanti, the festivities extend for three days. Also, people also perform an Akhand Path in all Gurdwaras.
Panj Pyares, musicians, and dancers organize a parade a day before the occasion. During the same, devotees shout religious hymns and give the crowd sharbat or cool beverages and sweets. As part of the worship and adoration, folks also recite poems and historical lectures. In fact, many also perform Asa di Var (morning hymns) in the early morning, followed by the Guru Granth Sahib is read.
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