About Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti |
| Event | Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti |
| Location | Amritsar |
| State | Punjab |
| Category | Festival |
| Date | Jan 17, 2024 |
| Main Attraction | If you have an appetite for Punjabi cuisine, then you will definitely have more than one reason to rejoice Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti. |
| Overview/History | Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth guru and was one of the most celebrated gurus. He belonged to Sikh gurus' sacred lineage. He formalised faith and helped in forming the pre-form of Sikhism, Khalsa. At a very young age of eleven, Guru Gobind Singh succeeded his father. He always carried his two swords, which are known as 'Piri' and Miri'. Both these swords denote Shakti and Bhakti. He helped in fighting against oppression of the Sikh by the Mughal rulers. Guru Gobind Singh was one of the last of ten Gurus. Because of his huge contribution towards Sikhism, the tenth guru is considered as the eternal guru. Guru Gobind Singh had established a book Guru Granth Sahib, which is followed by the Sikhs even today. As far as Sikhs Nanakshahi calendar is concerned, every year, Guru Gobind Jayanti falls on January 5. However, the Hindu Vikram Calendar suggests that the Jayanti may come during late December. This festival can happen twice a year, which is very rare. Guru Gobind Jayanti is celebrated when Guru Gobind Singh was ordained and it is also called as Gurgaddi Divas. Hundreds thousands of devotees and pilgrims throng Amritsar's Golden Temple. In northern India, tourists prefer visiting the Golden Temple as a major attraction. The influx of tourists increases during the festivities time. Government institutions, offices, banks, businesses and public transport services remain open on Guru Gorvind Singh Jayanti as it is a restricted holiday. The holidays depend on where the individual stays and his/her proximity to the festival. Focusing on the religious observance, some schools also remain open. |
| Celebration | Guru Gobind Jayanthi is celebrated by bursting crackers, and lighting diyas and lamps in their houses and Gurudwaras around by most Sikhs. The Gurudwaras appear all lit up. On this day the Gurudwaras organised processions and special prayers. Prakash Utsav is another name for this festival. The Gurudwara prepares food for all the visitors, irrespective of their religion, caste or creed. Before serving the food, all the Sikhs get together and recite the Guru Grantha Sahib. Special gatherings for prayer are also held at the worship place Gurudwara. The tourists can feel and experience what a real Indian culture feels like when moving along the streets in procession, and listening to all the devotional and folk songs of the area. During these processions, sweets and Sharbat, which is a sweetened drink, is distributed to the children and adults around the city and the locals. These large processions usually pass through the markets in India. If you have an appetite for Punjabi cuisine, then you will definitely have more than one reason to rejoice. During this day, local delicacies like Puligore (tamarind rice dish) and Holige, which is sweet bread accompanied by Ugadi Pachadi (sweet and sour chutney made of neem flowers, raw mango, tamarind and type of sugar jiggery), are made and shared to everyone you know in abundance. On the tenth guru's birthday, historical lectures are organised and poems are recited in order to praise him. |
