Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is a very important and sacred festivals celebrated by the people of Sikh community. This day marks the birth of the tenth Guru of Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh, who also came to be their last guru.
He was succeeded by the sacred book of Guru Granth Sahib.
According to Hindu Panchang, Guru Gobind Singh was born on the Saptami tithi of the Paush month in the year 1666. Under this situation, this day is celebrated on different dates every year and often falls twice in a year with no Jayanti being observed in the succeeding year.
Gobind Singh Jayanti 2024 Date
Since, the day of Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is calculated according to the Vikram Samvat Calendar, every few years this happens and Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is celebrated twice a year.
This year, it will be celebrated on 17th January 2024.
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti 2024 Celebration
Guru Gobind Singh Ji Jayanti is observed with great enthusiasm among the Sikhs all over the world. Prayers are held at Gurudwaras and processions, organized mostly by the Gurudwaras and joined by a large number of devotees, are also carried out on this day.
Other than this, it is also common to see small or large parades carried out by group of individuals and families. Preaches and poems of Guru Gobind Singh are recited and praises are sung to honor his accomplishments. Poor and hungry are served with sweets and special dishes by Gurudwaras and also by many Sikh families.
Holiday on Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti
Since Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti is a restricted holiday, a day off is not provided at all places. However, regions with a large Sikh community normally observe a holiday on this day.
Schools, offices and other services in such regions are most likely to remain closed on the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti.
Story of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Guru Gobind Singh was the son of ninth Guru ‘Guru Tegh Bahadur’ and was born in the year 1966 in Patna, Bihar. When his father was executed by Aurangzeb, he got entitled as the tenth Guru at the age of mere 9 years.
This was the time when Mughal empire was ruling strongly and Aurangzeb wanted the Sikhs to convert to Islam and upon refusing ‘Guru Tegh Bahadur was captured and killed.
To fight for Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh formed a community of warriors, also known as Khalsa and continued their resistance to convert to Muslim. He, along with Khalsa members, fought 13 battles against the Mughal Empire and the kings of Siwalik Hills.
After the demise of Aurangzeb, his son Bahadur Shah started approaching Guru Gobind Singh. When all his attempt to snatch religions freedom of Guru Gobind Singh and all his devotees, he sent Wazir Khan, a Muslim army commander to assassin him. Wazir Khan succeeded in stabbing him giving several fatal wounds. It is said that the wound that killed him was the one he got below his heart.
Guru Gobind Singh marked the sacred text Guru Granth Sahib as his successor and was thus the tenth and last human guru of the Sikhs. He marked Guru Granth Sahib as eternal Guru who continue to guide and light Sikhs all over the world till this time. Prayers and learning of Guru Gobind Singh continues to bear in the heart of Sikhs through this sacred text of Guru Granth Sahib.
Check: Veer Bal Diwas
Notable Contributions of Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh made significant contributions for the upliftment of Sikh community. He found the Sikh warrior community known as Khalsa.
He also introduced the concept of 5K that must be worn by the Sikh men all the time. This includes- Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (a wooden comb), Kara (an iron or steel bracelet worn on the wrist), Kirpan (a sword or dagger) and Kacchera (short breeches).
He is also entitled as the composer of Dasam Granth. Many movies in Hindi and Punjabi has been name to commemorate the sacrifices Guru Gobind Singh made for the upliftmrnt of his community and the humanity all over.
Top Quotes by Guru Gobind Singh
Guru Gobind Singh was a great poet and philosopher along with being the guru of the Sikhs. He wrote many poems in the praise of God and many quotes were also given by him. Few selected quotes from Guru Gobind Singh are mentioned below.
- I tell the truth; listen everyone. Only those who have Loved, will realize the Lord.
- Egotism is such a terrible disease, he dies, to be reincarnated he continues coming and going.
- Fruitful is the entire life of those, who feel hunger for the Name of the Lord in their minds.
- Blessed, blessed is the True Guru, who has given the supreme gift of the Name of the Lord.
- It is nearly impossible to be here now when you think there is somewhere else to be.
- The greatest comforts and lasting peace are obtained, when one eradicates selfishness from within.
- The Lord Himself reveals the Path, He Himself is the Doer of deeds.
- Those who worship and adore the Lord through the Guru’s Word forget all their pain and suffering.
- The ignorant person is totally blind he does not appreciate the value of the jewel
- Day and night, meditate forever on the Lord.
FAQs
It falls on January 17
He is the tenth Guru of the Sikh community.
It will be celebrated on January 17.
