why gurpurab are celebrated?

Answer 1

GURPURBS

Gurpurbs are part and parcel of Sikhism. In history we see that the Sikhs have to sacrifice even their lives in order to celebrate the Gurpurbs. Whether it is DEWALI (Bandi Chhor Diwas), VAISAKHI (Khalsa Sajna Diwas), or Martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Sahib (Sahidi Diwas), Sikhs gather and remember their Gurus & pay homage to the great Martyrs. All the Gurpurbs are celebrated with great fervor & enthusiasm by the Sikhs throughout the world. We are giving the account of the main & widely celebrated Gurpurbs.

The birth-day celebrations & Gurpurbs of Guru Sahibs usually last for three days. Generally before the birthday-date Akhand Path is held in the Gurdwara. A large procession (Nagarkirtan) is organised one day before the birthday. This is led by the Panj Piyaras (Five beloved ones) and the Palki (Palanquin) of Shri Guru Granth Sahib and followed by groups of kirtani Jatha, Various School bands and students, emenent Citizans, Gatka Parties (displaying mock-battle with the traditional weapons), and devotees singing hymns from Guru Granth Sahib in chorus. The passage of the nagarkirtan is decorated with flags, flowers, religious posters decorated gates and banners depicting various aspects of Sikhism. On the Gurpurab day, the Divan begins early in morning at about 4 or 5 a.m. with the singing of Asa-di-var and hymns from Guru Granth Sahib. Sometimes it is followed by katha (discourse), religious and Sikh Historical lectures and recitation of poems in praise of the Guru. Kirtan-Darbars and Amrit Sanchar ceremonies are also held in the Gurdwara hall. After Ardas and distribution of Karah Parshad (sweet pudding) the Langar (food) is served to one and all and there is kirtan till late in the night, the distribution of langar continues to the end of the programme.

BIRTHDAY OF GURU NANAK SAHIB

Guru Nanak Sahib (the First Nanak, the founder of Sikhism) was born on 15th April, 1469 at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi in the present distrect of Shekhupura (Pakistan), now Nanakana Sahib. The Birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib falls on Kartik Puranmashi i.e. full moon day of the month Kartik. On this day the Birthday is celebrated every year. The Shrine (Gurdwara) repsesenting the home of Baba Kalu (Father) and Mata Tripta (Mother) is called Gurdwara Janam Asthan, situated at Rai-Bhoi-di-Talwandi in the present district of Shekhupura (now Nanakana Sahib in Pakistan). The Sikhs from all over the world gather here and celebrate the Gurupurab every year with great devotion and enthusiasm.

BIRTHDAY OF GURU GOBIND SINGH SAHIB

Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, the tenth Nanak was born at Patna Sahib on 22nd December 1666, (Poh Sudi Saptmi). His birthday generally falls in December or January or sometimes twice within a year as it is calculated according to Hindu Bikrami Calendar based on moon-year. According to Nanakshahi calendar the birth-day of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib falls only once in a year i.e. on 5th January (every year).

Answer 2

Gurpurbs

Answer 3

yes, I celebrate Christmas

Answer 4

In Nanakshahi calendar Gurpurb dates have been fixed according to the solar dates, and since Common Era Calendar is also based on the tropical year , Gurpurbs will always occur on the same dates of the Common Era Calendar, and will not shift from year to year.
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Month Date Gurpurab
January 5 Parkash Guru Gobind Singh Ji
31 Parkash Guru Har Rai Ji
March 14 Hola Mohalla New Year Day
Gurgaddi Guru Har Rai Ji
19 Jyoti Jot Guru HarGobind Ji
April 14 Parkash Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Creation of the Khalsa
16 Gurgaddi Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
Gurgaddi Guru Amar Das Ji
Jyoti Jot Guru Angad Dev Ji
Jyoti Jot Guru Har Krishan Ji
18 Parkash Guru Angad Dev Ji
Parkash Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
May 2 Parkash Guru Arjan Dev Ji
23 Parkash Guru Amar DAs Ji
June 11 Gurgaddi Guru HarGobind Ji
16 Jyoti Jot Guru Arjan Dev Ji
July 5 Parkash Guru HarGobind Ji
23 Parkash Guru Har Krishan Ji
August 16 Completion of Granth Sahib Ji
September 1 Parkash Guru Granth Sahib Ji
16 Gurgaddi Guru Ram DAs Ji
Gurgaddi Guru Arjan Dev Ji
Jyoti Jot Guru Amar DAs Ji
Jyoti Jot Guru Ram DAs Ji
18 Gurgaddi Guru Angad Dev Ji
22 Jyoti Jot Guru Nanak Dev Ji
October 9 Parkash Guru Ram DAs Ji
20 Gurgaddi Guru Granth Sahib Ji
Gurgaddi Guru Har Krishan Ji
Jyoti Jot Guru Har Rai Ji
21 Jyoti Jot Guru Gobind Singh Ji
24 Jyoti Jot Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
November 24 Gurgaddi Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Notes:

1. All the dates given above are fixed, so that the Gurpurbs shall always fall on the same date of the CE calendar and Nanakshahi calendar. According to Hindu calendar there had been two Parkash Purbs of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib in 2003 CE.

2. The Calendar Committee of the SGPC in their meeting of 30 June, 1999 decided that Hola Muhalla, Bandi Chhor Divas, and the Birthday of Guru Nanak Sahib, shall continue to be celebrated according to the existing practice for the time being. This was to appease some of the so called 'Babas' and members of 'Sant Samaj'.
In 2007CE the dates for these according to the Bikrami (Hindu) calendar are :

i. Holla Muhalla - .................................................04 March
ii. Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali) - ...............................09 November
iii. Guru Nanak Sahib's Parkash (Katik Pooranmashi) - 24 November
.

the reason for calander
Sardar Pal Singh Purewal, the developer of this calendar describes in his own world the following reasons for Nanakshahi calendar :

A calendar is part of a Nation's religious identity. "Today each of the major religions has its own calendar ...and it is almost as true to say that each calendar has its religion- (E.G. Richards, Mapping Time).

Bikrami Calendar is Hindu calendar used by the Sikhs, for a very long period resulting in different dates of same gurpurab or event every year basically there are two problems with the Bikrami calendar. Firstly, because it is based on the length of sidereal year its months wander in seasons - the relation of the months with seasons as given in Gurbaani is changing. Secondly, since the Gurpurbs are celebrated according to the lunar dates of the Bikrami calendar, these occur on different dates of the Common Era calendar from year to year.

Both these problems have been resolved in Nanakshahi Calendar. Its year is based on the length of the tropical year - the year which is based on Gurbaani. Therefore, its months will always maintain the present relationship with seasons, and will stay according to Gurbaani.

Also, since the Gurpurb dates have been fixed according to the solar dates, and since Common Era Calendar is also based on the tropical year , Gurpurbs will always occur on the same dates of the Common Era Calendar, and will not shift from year to year. In 1998 CE the Parkash Purb of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib occurred twice according to Bikrami Calendar, and did not occur in 1999 CE at all. The same situation is going to repeat in 2003 CE and 2004 CE. Parkash Gurpurb will be twice in 2003 CE, and none in 2004 CE. In Nanakshahi Calendar there is no such anomaly. This Gurpurb shall always occur on 23 Poh (Nanakshahi) / 5 January CE.








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