What is Guru Gaddi Day?
Guru Gaddi is a Punjabi phrase that means “Guru’s throne” and is used to refer to the installation of Guruship by each successive Sikh Guru. The day when each Guru was installed as a Guru is referred to as “Guru Gaddi day” or “Guru Gaddi Diwas”.
How do Sikhs Celebrate Guru Gaddi Day?
The celebration begins two days earlier with the commencement or Arambh of an Akhand Paath which takes 48 hours to complete. On the actual Gur-gaddi day, the procession march or Nagar kirtan takes place; the singing of Bani (Kirtan) takes place; free communal food is served (Langar) and Gatka and other sports events are held.
Grandeur was decorated at Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, Sanctorum of the Golden Temple, Akal Takht, and Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai situated within the Golden Temple complex.
After the bhog of Akhandpath, the hazuri raagi group of Bhai Jarnail Singh Koharka of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, performed Gurbani Kirtan and Bhai Prem Singh offered prayers.
During the function, Harmandar Sahib head granthi Giani Jagtar Singh, Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh congratulated the Sangat (devotees) on the Guruship Day of the sixth Sikh Guru and urged them to follow the path shown by the Guru.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said, “After the martyrdom of the fifth Sikh master – Guru Arjan Dev, the sixth Guru, Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib established the Akal Takht, the highest temporal shrine representing independent Sikh thinking for the unique existence and identity of the Sikh community. Guru Sahib fought four wars against oppression and instilled in humanity the passion to fight for rights and truth. This sentiment needs to be inculcated in today’s youth.”
On this occasion, Giani Jagtar Singh said that Guru Sahib has incomparable blessings to the Sikh community and today the community should take guidance from its history and adopt Bani and Baana (Gurbani and traditional Sikh attire, respectively). Meanwhile, Jalaus (grandeur) were also decorated at Harmandar Sahib, Akal Takht and Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai dedicated to the Guruship Day of the sixth Sikh Guru.
