India is a land of numerous festivals, in pace with the cycle of the seasons. These proceed with sowings and harvesting and around them have grown legends, most of them portraying the victory of good over evil. Some festivals are mainly of religious nature, and others are related more to, change of season and harvesting. They have a retentive past and many have gone through major alterations. Though, the zeal for some of the festivals also seems to be vanishing, yet they are capable of bringing about a change in the lifestyle of the people. Some festivals and fasts are specific protocols of religion which aims towards communication with the Almighty. The vivacity of the people is reflected in the colorful liveliness of the fairs and festivals. Processions, prayers, new attires, dance, music etc. are essentials related to any of such celebration. These fairs and festivals impart color and gaiety to life of the Indians. The Indian calendar is marked by overabundance of such big and small occasions.
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. Celebrated by the Sikhs, the birthday of their tenth and last guru, this day witnesses’ large processions and special prayer gatherings at all Gurudwaras.
Time for celebrating the Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday in Punjab:
The Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday 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). It gives you the wonderful opportunity to be a part of a religious festival and fair and also be witness to the extravagant carnival.
Description of the Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday in Punjab:
Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Nanak or, Sikh Guru, was born at Patna Sahib on December 22, 1666, (Poh Sudi Saptmi). His birthday generally falls in December or January or sometimes twice within a year as it is estimated according to Hindu Bikrami Calendar, which is based on the lunar calendar. According to the Nanakshahi Calendar, the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib falls yearly on January 5th.
Guru Gobind Singh (1666-1708 C.E.) lived during an extremely dangerous time. His father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, had given his life to defend the freedom of worship by Hindus, who were being threatened with conversion or death by obsessive Muslim rulers. Seizure of women and plunder of goods were uncontrolled, but the people were too fearful and terrified to resist. In the midst of this political state of affairs, Guru Gobind Singh attained great importance as both Saint and soldier, a leader of stiff spiritual principles and extreme devotion to God, and at the same time, valiant devotion to protect all people from repression and inequality through the practice of Kshatradharma.
In 1699, he spectacularly led up 5 men from the lower castes as His Five Beloveds, blessing them with great courage as well as nearness to God. They became good examples for the Khalsa, the Order of the Pure, which Guru Gobind Singh shaped to stand on the front line against discrimination. The Khalsa were held to a very strict moral and spiritual discipline and under Guru Gobind Singh’s courageous inspiration, helped to turn the wave against Mughal repression in India.
The prasad of Ugadi/Gudi Padwa is the bitter leaves of the neem tree with jaggery. There are special foods prepared for this festival.
