A Gurpurab marks the birth or martyrdom anniversary of a Sikh Guru.
🌟GurpurabGurpurab — Guru Nanak Dev Ji
🗓️ Kartik Purnima — Full Moon of October/November
Celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, in 1469. This is the most widely celebrated Sikh festival in the world.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born on a full moon night in 1469 in what is now Pakistan. His birth is celebrated by Sikhs worldwide with three days of celebrations, beginning with an Akhand Path (continuous 48-hour reading of the entire Guru Granth Sahib Ji), followed by Nagar Kirtan (procession through the streets) and special Gurudwara services on the Gurpurab day itself.
How It Is Celebrated
48-hour continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Akhand Path) begins two days before. On the day before, Nagar Kirtan — a joyful street procession with Kirtan, flags, and the Panj Piyare leading — moves through neighborhoods. On the Gurpurab day, Gurudwaras hold early morning services called Prabhat Pheris (pre-dawn hymn walks), followed by all-day Kirtan, Langar, and lectures. Fireworks and illumination of Gurudwaras also take place.
Gurpurab — Guru Gobind Singh Ji
🗓️ December/January (date varies with Nanakshahi calendar)
Celebrates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth and final human Sikh Guru, creator of the Khalsa, in 1666 at Patna Sahib.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born on December 22, 1666, in Patna, Bihar. His Gurpurab falls in the cold winter months and is celebrated with great devotion. Given his immense contribution to the Sikh faith — creating the Khalsa, completing the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, and giving Sikhs their eternal identity — his birthday is one of the most significant Sikh celebrations.
How It Is Celebrated
Like all Gurpurabs, celebrations begin with an Akhand Path. Nagar Kirtans are held in cities with large Sikh populations, often featuring displays of Gatka (Sikh martial arts), horseback riding, and the Panj Piyare in traditional dress. Special programs for children teach the life and teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Gurta Gaddi Divas
🗓️ September (Bhadon/Asu month in Nanakshahi calendar)
Commemorates the day Guru Gobind Singh Ji declared the Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the eternal and living Guru of the Sikh people — October 7, 1708, at Nanded.
Before passing from his wounds at Nanded in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Ji gathered all his Sikhs. He placed five paise (coins) and a coconut before the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, bowed his head in reverence, and declared: 'The Shabad (Word of God) is the Guru. The Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the Guru.' He performed Ardas (prayer) and then passed away peacefully. From that day, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji has been the living Guru of all Sikhs, treated with the full respect and ceremony of a living Guru.
How It Is Celebrated
Special services at Gurudwaras including Akhand Path, Kirtan, and Katha focusing on the divine nature and importance of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Children are taught about the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and how to show proper respect.
Shaheedi Purab — Guru Arjan Dev Ji
🗓️ Jeth Sudhi 4 — late May/early June
Martyrdom of the Fifth Guru — the first Sikh martyr, who died in 1606 for refusing to change a single word of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji compiled the Adi Granth (original Guru Granth Sahib Ji) and built the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple). Mughal Emperor Jahangir ordered his arrest and torture, demanding changes to the scripture. For five days in scorching June heat, Guru Arjan Dev Ji was made to sit on burning hot iron plates, had boiling water poured over him, and was denied food and water. He endured everything with complete peace, reciting Waheguru throughout. He asked to bathe in the River Ravi — and when he entered the water, he merged into Waheguru forever. He became the first Sikh martyr and taught the world that truth is worth dying for.
How It Is Celebrated
Cool drinks (sharbat, lassi, chilled water) are distributed to all passers-by in memory of the Guru's thirst and suffering. Special Akhand Path, Kirtan, and Katha programs. Many Sikhs fast and perform extra seva. Acts of community service are dedicated to his memory.
Shaheedi Purab — Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
🗓️ Maghar Sudhi 5 — late November
Martyrdom of the Ninth Guru — called Hind di Chaddar (Shield of India) — who gave his life to protect religious freedom in 1675.
Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb was forcibly converting Hindus across Kashmir to Islam. The terrified Kashmiri Pandits came to Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji as a last hope. Guru Gobind Singh Ji (then 9 years old) told his father: 'Who better than you to protect them?' Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji went to Delhi knowing it would mean his death. He was arrested, imprisoned for months, and forced to watch three of his Sikhs be executed in front of him to break his will. They burned Bhai Mati Das alive between two saws. They boiled Bhai Sati Das in burning oil. They wrapped Bhai Dayala in cotton and set him on fire. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji watched it all and did not waver. On November 11, 1675, he was beheaded in Chandni Chowk, Delhi — to this day, Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib stands on that very spot.
How It Is Celebrated
Solemn Akhand Path and Ardas. Nagar Kirtan to Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi. Special programs emphasizing the universal message: he died not just for Sikhs, but for all people's right to practice their faith.
Shaheedi Divas — The Four Sahibzade
🗓️ Poh — late December
Martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh Ji's four sons — two in battle at Chamkaur (ages 18 and 14), two bricked alive at Sirhind (ages 9 and 6) in December 1704–1705.
The two elder Sahibzade — Baba Ajit Singh (18) and Baba Jujhar Singh (14) — fought alongside their father at the Battle of Chamkaur and fell fighting. The two younger Sahibzade — Baba Zorawar Singh (9) and Baba Fateh Singh (6) — were captured by the Mughal governor Wazir Khan at Sirhind. He offered them their lives if they converted. The two little boys refused. They were bricked alive inside a wall on December 26–27, 1704. Six-year-old Fateh Singh reportedly said to his older brother: 'Let's play — we'll race to see who becomes shaheed first.' When Guru Gobind Singh Ji received the news, he did not weep. He planted a thorn bush with his arrow in Fatehnama and wrote the Zafarnama — Letter of Victory — to Aurangzeb, declaring spiritual victory despite all worldly loss.
How It Is Celebrated
This is a day of solemn remembrance, not celebration. Akhand Path, Ardas, and Kirtan programs dedicated to the Sahibzade. Children learn their stories in detail. Many Sikhs visit Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib in Sirhind, Punjab — site of the martyrdom.
Parkash Purab — Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
🗓️ Bhadon Sudhi 1 — August/September (first installed 1604)
Celebrates the first installation of the Adi Granth in Harmandir Sahib on September 1, 1604 — the holiest scripture in Sikhism.
Guru Arjan Dev Ji spent years collecting sacred hymns — from the first four Gurus and from saints like Kabir, Farid, Ravidas, Namdev, and Bhagat Trilochan — all writing about the same one God using different languages. He compiled them into the Adi Granth (now the Guru Granth Sahib Ji), a scripture that was revolutionary: it honored the words of saints from different castes, religions, and regions equally. On this day in 1604, the scripture was carried in procession and installed in the newly completed Harmandir Sahib. Baba Buddha Ji performed the first Parkash (illumination). Guru Arjan Dev Ji himself slept on a lower level as a mark of respect to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
How It Is Celebrated
Special Akhand Path and Kirtan programs at all Gurudwaras. Programs teaching the compilation history of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji and the saints whose words are included.
Gurpurab — Guru Ram Das Ji
🗓️ Kartik (October/November)
Celebrates the birth of the Fourth Guru who founded the holy city of Amritsar and composed the Lavan (Sikh wedding hymns).
Guru Ram Das Ji was born to a poor family in Lahore in 1534. He was so devoted to the Third Guru that he was chosen as the Fourth Guru despite not being from the Guru's family. He founded the city of Amritsar (Amrit Sarovar — Pool of Nectar) and began the excavation of the sacred pool where the Golden Temple now stands. He composed the four Lavan (wedding hymns) still used in every Sikh wedding today — the Anand Karaj ceremony. Every Sikh who has been married has had his words sung at their wedding.
How It Is Celebrated
Akhand Path, Kirtan, and special programs at Gurudwaras. In Amritsar — the city he founded — celebrations are especially heartfelt. Many couples who were married with the Anand Karaj ceremony perform Ardas of gratitude.