| Festival | Descripton |
Gurpurb | – connects to the lives of Gurus
– a holy day that connects to the birth or death of one of the Gurus…the birthday of Guru Nanak is called Gurpurb…most imp holy day, usually in November
– continuous reading of Sahib for 48 hrs is called Akhand Path…many info sessions on this Guru and pryares are done
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| Jore Melas | – a number of these types of festivals – Baisakhi, Diwali, and Hola Mohalla
– provide opportunities for Sikhs to gather together
– Guru Amar Das, the 3rd Guru created Baisakhi and Diwali to divert the minds of the followers from Hinduism to reflect on the meaning of being Sikh
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| Baiskhi | – usually occurs on either April 13 and 14
– purpose is to remind Sikhs of the fight against injustice …the story of the formation of Khalsa is told
– a day of thanksgiving…many gather at Amritsar, India to celebrate this day
Amritsar Massacre · in 1919 the British forbade the gathering at Amritsar for Baisakhi b/c they feared that the Sikhs would rise up against them · the Sikhs defied the British · as a result, 100s of Sikhs were killed
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| Diwali | – takes place in either October or November
– it celebrates the imprisonment and release of Guru Hargobind (the 6th Guru)
History of the Sikh Diwali · in the 1600s during the Hindu Diwali, a Muslim King, Jehangir, offered to release Guru Hargobind · this Guru said he would only leave if 52 Hindu princes would be released as well. · Jehangir said these princes could go if they exited a narrow passage holding on to this Guru’s clothes. · Guru Hargobind had long tassels on his clothes, which all the princes held and were released
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| Hola Mohalla | – occurs in the spring
– Sikhs gather to practise their martial arts skills |
