The 5 Famous Sikh Festivals
There are numerous Sikh fairs and festivals. Some are of local importance as Maghi of Muktsar and Hola Mohalla of Anandpur.The most important festivals are observed by the Sikhs wherever they are. On such occasions the whole Sikh families of a particular place gather in a gurudwara. It is properly decorated and illuminated. The Granth is read constantly. Hymns are sung in chorus or by professional Sikh singers. Prayer is said. Sweet pudding (karah prasad) is distributed in the whole congregation. In hot weather sweetened and iced water is served at various places. Houses are lighted in the evening. A free langar at the main gurudwara is a must for every fair and festival.
The Sikh Festivals
Gurupurabs
Gurupurab is an important festival for the followers of Sikhism and they celebrate it fervently.Guru Nanak Jayanti or Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurupurab is the festival where Sikhs celebrate the birth of their first guru — Guru Nanak. The literal meaning of the word Gurupurab is ‘the day of Guru’. According to the Hindu calendar, Puranmashi of Kartik month in 1469 is the birthdate of the guru who is the founder of Sikhism.
Baisakhi
Baisakhi is the New Year day for the Sikh community. On Baisakhi, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last Sikh Guru, had established the Khalsa in 1699. Guru Gobind Singh had declared that all human beings are equal.
Baisakhi is all about festivities, food, music, dance and celebrations but amid the surge in Covid infections we can still enjoy small family festivities. It’s best to abide by the Covid protocols and stay safe.
Holla Mohalla
The Hola Mohalla fair was started by the great Guru Gobind Singh of Punjab for the Sikhs to practice military exercises. Mock battles are also held during the three-day course period. The Sikh community commemorates the Hola Mohalla Festival by watching and participating in the martial arts parades, led by the Gurudwara’s Nishan Sahibs.
Maghi
Maghi is the occassion when Sikhs commemorate the sacrifice of forty Sikhs, who fought for Guru Gobindh Singh Ji.
Maghi, Makara Sankranti, the first day of the month of Magh. The eve of Maghi is the common Indian festival of Lohri when bonfires are lit in Hindu homes to greet the birth of sons in the families and alms are distributed. In the morning, people go out for an early-hour dip in nearby tanks. For Sikhs, Maghi means primarily the festival at Muktsar, a district town of the Punjab, in commemoration of the heroic fight of the Chali Mukte, literally, the Forty Liberated Ones, who laid down their lives warding off an attack by an imperial army marching in pursuit of Guru Gobind Singh
Bandi Chorrh Divas ( Diwali)
Bandi Chhor Diwas (prisoner release day) is celebrated to mark the historical release of the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind, from the Mughal prison along with 52 kings in early 17th century.
