Gurpurabs, Festivals and the Sikh Calendar

A Gurpurab is a day connected with the life of a Guru — most often a birth anniversary (Prakash Purab), the day of receiving Guruship (Gurgaddi), or the day a Guru merged with the Divine (joti jot). Days remembering martyrs are called Shaheedi purabs. They are marked mainly through Gurbani: an Akhand Path (continuous reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji) often concludes on the day, with Kirtan, Katha and Langar. In many places a Nagar Kirtan, a procession led by Panj Pyare and accompanying the Guru Granth Sahib, passes through the streets. The emphasis is on remembrance and inspiration rather than parties, though joy and gathering are very much part of it.

The most widely celebrated is the Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, traditionally observed on the full moon of the month of Kattak (Kartik) in the autumn. It is a major occasion worldwide, often with early-morning processions called Prabhat Pheris in the days before. The Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji is also celebrated widely, usually in the winter. Sikhs mark the Gurpurabs of all ten Gurus, and also the day Guru Gobind Singh Ji passed Guruship to Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Two Shaheedi purabs are especially significant: the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Lahore in 1606, often marked in summer with chhabeel — free cool drinks offered to passers-by — and the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in Delhi in 1675.

Vaisakhi, in spring, was a harvest festival in Punjab long before it became central to Sikh life. Sikhs remember it above all as the day in 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib, and many Gurdwaras hold Amrit Sanchar and Nagar Kirtan then. Bandi Chhor Divas, which falls around the time of Diwali, recalls the release of Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji from Gwalior Fort; according to tradition the Guru secured the freedom of other imprisoned rulers too. Sri Harmandir Sahib is lit up and many homes light lamps. Hola Mohalla, begun by Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Anandpur Sahib the day after Holi, features displays of martial skill, Kirtan and poetry.

In December, many Sikhs observe a period of remembrance for the four Sahibzade, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and for Mata Gujri Ji. The two elder Sahibzade fell in battle at Chamkaur, and the two younger were martyred at Sirhind. The Shaheedi Jor Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib draws large gatherings. The tone is sombre and reflective: many families avoid celebrations during these days, sleep on the floor or hold special Kirtan and Katha for children. It is often a time when children first hear the stories of the Sahibzade's courage, which families may tell in an age-appropriate way.

Some days recur every month. Sangrand is the first day of a solar month, when many Gurdwaras read the Barah Maha, a composition in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji that reflects on the twelve months. Puranmashi (full moon) and Masya (new moon) also draw gatherings at certain historic Gurdwaras. These observances are customary rather than required. Gurbani teaches that no day or moment is inherently more auspicious than another, and some Sikhs therefore place little emphasis on them; others value them simply as regular occasions for the sangat to meet. Both views are held respectfully within the Panth.

Most Sikh dates have traditionally been set by a lunar-solar calendar, the Bikrami calendar, so they shift against the Western calendar each year. In 2003 the SGPC adopted the Nanakshahi calendar, a fixed solar calendar intended to keep dates steady; it was later amended, and many dates returned to traditional reckoning. Sikhs today differ on which approach is best, and some Gurdwaras, especially outside India, follow different dates for the same Gurpurab. There are sincere arguments on both sides. For the dates in any given year, the simplest guide is the Jantri (almanac) published by the SGPC, or your local Gurdwara's own calendar.