Gurdwara – Celebrations
Following are the special days Celebrated in Gurdwaras.
Gurpurb
Holy days of the Gurus – A special program is held on a day related to the Guru, or his family (son), or Guru Granth Sahib. For example –
Birthday of Guru Nanak, and Other Gurus
Birthday of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh, are celebrated world over. Birthday of Guru Ramdas is observed at Amritsar, Punjab, India .
Marriage of Guru Nanak
Celebrated at Batala, District Gurdaspur, Punjab.
Cholae Daa Mela
Observed at Dera Baba Nanak, District Gurdaspur, Punjab. On this day, shirt and handkerchief of Guru Nanak Dev are displayed.
Martyrdomday of Guru Arjun Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur
Martyrdom days of Guru Arjun and Guru Tegh Bahadur are celebrated all over the world. Guru Arjun Dev was martyred at Lahore (now in Pakistan), and Guru Tegh Bahadur at Delhi, India .
Martyrdom of Sahibzadae
Martyrdom of two Chhotae Sahibzadae (younger sons) of Guru Gobind Singh is celebrated at Sirhind, Punjab.
Martyrdom of Chaalee Muktae
Martyrdom of Chaalee Muktae (forty emancipated ones) is held on 1st day of Magh (month of Bikrami year), at Gurdwara Sahib, Mukatsar, Punjab. Magh coincides with January-February. This fair is called Maghi Daa Mela – the Magi Festival. Maghi falls on the first day of the month Magh. The devotees visit Gurdwara Sahib and take bath in its holy tank.
Asthapna Divas
The day when the Holy Granth (Its first version by Guru Arjun Dev, not yet declared Guru Granth Sahib) was installed at Harimandir Sahib. This is celebrated at Amritsar, Punjab. The first i.e. the original version of the Holy Granth was compiled by Guru Arjun Dev and scribed by Bhai Gurdas.
Gur Gaddi Divas
The day when Guru Gobind Singh declared the second version of Granth Sahib, a Guru: the Word Guru. The second version of Granth Sahib was recompiled by Guru Gobind Singh. This day is celebrated at Hazoor Sahib.
Gradually, Asthapna Divas and Guru Gaddi Divas have achieved the world fame for their celebration.
Khalsa Asthapna Divas
The day of creation of Khalsa. This celebration falls on the Baisakhi Day, 13/14 of April. On this day, the Tenth Master Guru Gobind Singh created Khalsa by preparing and administering Amrit – the holy drink, to his devotees. It is especially celebrated at Gurdwara “Kaes Garh Sahib” at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab.
Baisakhi
This festival is celebrated in every Gurdwara as “Sangrand” i.e. the 1st day of Bikrami month of Baisakh. Celebrating Baisakhi and “Khalsa Asthapna Divas“ is one and the same thing as the day is the same.
Baisakhi is an Indian festival in general, and it is to celebrate the harvest season.
Hazoor Sahib
The following days related to Guru Gobind Singh are celebrated at Hazoor Sahib (Abchal Nagar Hazoor Sahib) at Nanded in Maharashtra, India –
* Hola Mohalla
* Jyoti jote of Guru Gobind Singh – death day of the Tenth
Master.
* Gur Gaddi Divas of Guru Granth Sahib – the day of
installing Granth Sahib as “Guru Granth Sahib.”