Guru Govind Singh Jayanti would be observed in India on 18 January 2013. It is the annual celebration of Sikh religion which falls in either December or January. It is the festival that commemorates as the birthday of Guru Govind Singh the tenth guru of Sikhs. It is a religious festival in which prayers are offered in Gurudwaras. Sikhs take out Prabhat Pheri in early morning before the festival. They also showcase bravery of Sikhs by performing a religious ritual called Gatka.
Large processions go through the city on the Jayanti and people offers prayers and devotional songs. People share sweets and sharbat to children and adults during the procession. Special dishes are prepared in Gurudwara where people gather and the dishes are served to them. This is also termed as langar or parsada in the local language.
Historical Background
Guru Govind Singh was born at Patna, Bihar on 22nd December 1666. He was the 10th Sikh Guru. The annual celebration of Guru Nanak Jayanti is evaluated according to the Nanakshahi Calendar and according to the Gregorian Calendar it falls in December of January.
Guru Govind Singh was son of Guru Teg Bahadur and he became a Guru at nine years of age. Guru Govind Singh took five men from the lower society and trained them to become soldiers. They were also named as Panj Pyare. Guru Govind Singh’s strong desire encouraged them and endorsed strong courage and devotion in God. This filled them a strong enthusiasm which encouraged them to fought against the Mughal Rulers bravely. Guru Govind Singh established a force of saint soldiers whom he baptized and this took the name of Khalsa. The prime motive of Khalsa was to protect people from the Mughal forces. It was Guru’s strong determination, devotion, inspiration and spiritual discipline that led people to rise against Mughal rulers. Before his death in 1708, he had declared Guru Granth Sahib the permanent Guru of Sikhs. Guru Granth Sahib is the Sikh’s Holy Scripture.
Celebration
On this occasion Akhand Path of Guru Granth Sahib is held which continues for 48 hours and it ends on the day of his birthday. One day prior precessions are taken which are led by the 5 beloved (Panj Pyare) and Guru Granth Sahib is carried into a doolie. During the procession the gatka team performs various bravery acts and people accompany them with devotional songs. The community lunch or langar is offered in Gurudwaras which remains open to all people of all religions. This day is celebrated with great religious fervour by the people who visit the Gurudwaras to offers special prayers on this day.
Guru Govind Singh Jayanti In Udaipur
The Guru Govind Singh Jayanti was also celebrated today with fervour and devotion. All Gurudwaras were decorated with brilliant lights. Langar (serving food) was also served to all devotees to the all visitors. People paid prayers and remembered Guru Govind Singh Ji.