Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Gobind Singh, Birthday of

December-January; during the Sikh month of Pausa (Poh)

Born in 1666, Guru Gobind Singh was the last of the ten Sikh gurus. His father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was the ninth guru. He is best known for establishing the Khalsa, the spiritual brotherhood devoted to defending Sikhism. Guru Gobind Singh is also remembered for his teachings, which include the ideas that living with love, charity, and integrity was more important than observing religious rituals and that men and women are equal.
Guru Gobind Singh was the last guru because, instead of appointing a human successor, he believed that the Granth Sahib, the Sikh scriptures, should serve as an eternal Guru to the Sikh community ( see Guru Granth Sahib, Installation of). His birthday is celebrated by Sikhs in India and around the world with festivities similar to those marking the birthday of Guru Nanak ( see Guru Parab). They include a three-day-long, continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, processions, and the singing of sacred songs. Sporting contests and other games are also popular. Many Sikhs go on pilgrimage to the Golden Temple at Amritsar ( see Guru Arjan, Martyrdom of) and to the shrine marking the site of Gobind Singh's birth, Takht Patna Sahib.

SOURCES:
EncyRel-1987, vol. 13, p. 331
RelHolCal-2004, p. 205
SikhFest-1989, p. 22