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Guru Hargobind leaves Gwalior Jail with 52 Rajas

This year (2014) on October 23,(next year its November, 11) the worldwide Sikh community celebrates the return of the sixth Nanak from detention at Gwalior Fort on the same day in about October/November 1619.

This historic event coincides with the Hindu festival of Diwali. This has resulted in similarity of celebration amongst Sikhs and Hindus.

When Murtaja Khan, Nawab of Lahore, noticed that Guru Ji had constructed Sri Akal Takhat Sahib, 'The Throne of the Almighty', at Amritsar, and was also strengthening his army, he informed the Mughal Emperor Jahangir about this.

He also incorrectly emphasised that the Sikh Guru was making preparations to take revenge for his father's torture and martyrdom. When Jahangir came to know about this he at once sent Wazir Khan and Guncha Beg to Amritsar in order to arrest Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji.

But Wazir Khan who was a well-wisher of the Sikh Guru’s requested the Guru to accompany them to Delhi as Emperor Jahangir wanted to meet him. .....More

The Darbar Sahib, Golden Temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India
Jas Kaur on Flickr

A Granthi reads from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib on the first floor of Harimandir Sahib

In 2015, this week, from October 20, the worldwide Sikh community will celebrate 307 years of Guruship of their holy scriptures called the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

In October 1708, the tenth and last human Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh before setting off for his heavenly abode, installed the Granth Sahib as the final and perpetual Sikh Guru.

He said "Sabh Sikhan ko hukam hai, Guru maneo Granth" - "Every Sikh is ordered to accept the Granth as the Guru" and so from that day on, this Granth has served as the "living Guru" of the Sikhs.

The Sri Guru Granth Sahib was initially called the Adi Granth and was compiled and first installed at Harimandir Sahib in Amritsar in 1604. The holy book contains hymns written by saints and scholars of different religions and was completed on the 30 August 1604.

The SGGS contains an important message for the whole of humanity. The Guru Granth Sahib provides unique and unequalled guidance and advice for the whole of the human race. It is the torch that will lead humanity out of Kaljug, (the dark era) to a life in peace, tranquillity and spiritual enlightenment for all the nations of the World. .....More

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