Gurgadi
Gur gadi is a Punjabi phrase which literally means "Guru's throne" and is used to refer to the installation of Guruship by each successive Sikh Gurus. The day when each Guru was installed as a Guru is referred to as "Gur gadi day" or "Gur gadi diwas".
On this day many religious celebrations take place in Sikh Gurdwaras and homes. The most celebrated Gur-gadi day is the day when the Guru Granth Sahib was installed as Guru. This happy occasion fell on October 20, 1708 and every year on October 20, the Sikhs have joyous celebration. Celebration begin two days earlier with the commencement or Arambh of an Akhand paath which takes 48 hours to complete. On the actual Gur-gadi day, procession march or Nagar kirtan takes place; singing of Bani (Kirtan) takes place; free communal food is served (Langar) and Gatka and other sports events are held.
Important Gur Gadi Diwas
Date | Brief summary of Gur Gadi |
31 Jan | In 1644, Guru Har Rai becomes the seventh Guru of the Sikhs |
14 Apr | In 1469, Birth of Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism |
16 Apr | In 1552, Guru Amar Das becomes the third Guru of the Sikhs In 1665, Guru Tegh Bahadur becomes the Ninth Guru of the Sikhs |
11 Jun | In 1606, Guru Hargobind becomes the sixth Guru of the Sikhs |
16 Sep | In 1574, Guru Ram Das becomes the fourth Guru of the Sikhs In 1581 Guru Arjan becomes the fifth Guru of the Sikhs |
18 Sep | In 1539, Guru Angad becomes the second Guru of the Sikhs |
20 Oct | In 1708, The sovereignty of the Sikh Scripture (Guru Granth Sahib) declared as the Guru for all times. In 1661, Guru Harkrishan becomes the eighth Guru of the Sikhs |
24 Nov | In 1675, Guru Gobind Singh becomes the tenth Guru of the Sikhs and the last Guru in human form. |