Gurpurabs and Sikh remembrance — observances and vrat guides
Sikh remembrance days honour the Gurus' lives, teachings and sacrifices. Birth celebrations, martyrdom commemorations and the passing of spiritual leadership have different meanings and emotional settings. They should not be reduced to generic fasting dates: Sikh devotion centres on Gurbani, service, congregation and ethical living rather than ritual abstinence as a requirement. The linked entries keep the named Guru or historical remembrance visible alongside its published calendar context. Readers can use this hub to distinguish annual commemorations, compare dates and understand the role of kirtan, sangat and langar.
The catalog currently includes 18 distinct entries in this collection. Examples are Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurpurab; Guru Har Rai Ji Jayanti; Guru Ravidas Ji Jayanti; Guru Arjan Dev Ji Shaheedi Diwas; Guru Hargobind Ji Gurpurab. Their recorded devotional focus includes Guru Gobind Singh Ji; Guru Har Rai Ji; Guru Ravidas Ji; Guru Arjan Dev Ji; Guru Hargobind Ji. Follow the individual links below for the full description, calendar dates, mantra and allowed or avoided foods; each link leads to a dedicated observance page rather than a search result.
Calendar dates are references, not a substitute for the observance rules of your chosen city and community. Lunar days can cross civil-date boundaries, and regional practice can change which day is kept. Meal suggestions are optional ideas for an allowed meal, not instructions to eat during a complete fast. Children, pregnant people and anyone with a medical condition should seek appropriate advice before fasting. Compare the linked guides with your family or temple's practice and choose a discipline suited to your health.
All 18 observances in this collection
- Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurpurab — January 15, 2027
Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666–1708) — poet, philosopher, warrior-saint, and founder of the Khalsa on Baisakhi 1699. Gurdwaras hold 48-hour Akhand Path (continuous reading of Guru Granth Sahib Ji), kirtan, and langar.
- Guru Har Rai Ji Jayanti — January 31, 2026
Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of the seventh Sikh Guru, Guru Har Rai Ji (1630–1661), known for his deep compassion, love of nature, and healing ministry. He maintained a large garden and herb library to heal the sick. Despite Mughal pressure, he upheld Sikh principles with gentleness and wisdom.
- Guru Ravidas Ji Jayanti — February 1, 2026
Jayanti of Sant Guru Ravidas Ji (c. 1450–1520), mystic poet-saint, philosopher, and social reformer whose 41 hymns are enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. He preached equality of all human beings regardless of caste. Falls on Magh Purnima (full moon of Magh month).
- Guru Arjan Dev Ji Shaheedi Diwas — June 18, 2026
Shaheedi Diwas (Martyrdom Day) of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Sikh Guru and compiler of the Adi Granth. Tortured and martyred in June 1606 by Mughal Emperor Jahangir after refusing to convert. One of the most solemn days in the Sikh calendar.
- Guru Hargobind Ji Gurpurab — June 30, 2026
Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji (1595–1644), the first warrior-saint Guru who introduced the concept of Miri-Piri (temporal and spiritual sovereignty). He built the Akal Takht in Amritsar, wore two swords, and later freed 52 kings from Gwalior Fort — commemorated on Bandi Chhor Divas.
- Guru Har Krishan Ji Gurpurab — August 7, 2026
Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan Ji (1656–1664), who became Guru at just five years old. He is revered as 'Bala Pir' (Child Saint). At age eight he served smallpox victims in Delhi before passing away himself, his last words pointing to his successor at Anandpur Sahib.
- Guru Ram Das Ji Gurpurab — October 27, 2026
Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das Ji (1534–1581), who founded the city of Ramdaspur (now Amritsar), initiated construction of the sacred sarovar (the pool around Harmandir Sahib), and composed the Lavan — the four rounds sung at Sikh wedding ceremonies (Anand Karaj).
- Guru Granth Sahib Ji Gurgaddi Divas — November 11, 2026
Gurgaddi Divas marks the day in 1708 when Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, declared the Guru Granth Sahib Ji as the eternal, living Guru of all Sikhs — ending the line of human Gurus. The scripture is now revered as the sovereign Guru, and every Gurdwara holds an Akhand Path and grand langar on this day.
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab — November 24, 2026
The most sacred Sikh festival — Parkash Purab (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469–1539), founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Ji spread the message of Ik Onkar (One God), equality of all human beings, honest living, sharing with others, and meditation on the divine name. Gurdwaras hold 48-hour Akhand Path, grand Nagar Kirtan processions, and massive langar.
- Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Shaheedi Diwas — December 14, 2026
Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the ninth Sikh Guru, martyred in Delhi on November 24, 1675 by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb after refusing to convert to Islam. He gave his life to protect the religious freedom of Kashmiri Pandits, earning him the title 'Hind Ki Chadar' (Shield of India).
- Vadde Sahibzade Shaheedi Diwas — December 23, 2026
Shaheedi of the elder Sahibzade — Sahibzada Ajit Singh Ji (18) and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh Ji (14), eldest sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, martyred in the Battle of Chamkaur on December 21–22, 1704, fighting against the Mughal army.
- Chhote Sahibzade Shaheedi Diwas — December 28, 2026
Shaheedi of the younger Sahibzade — Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji (9) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji (6), youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, bricked alive at Sirhind on December 26, 1704 by order of Wazir Khan after refusing to convert to Islam.
- Mata Gujri Ji Shaheedi Diwas — December 28, 2026
Shaheedi of Mata Gujri Ji, wife of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and mother of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Imprisoned in the freezing Thanda Burj at Sirhind with her two youngest grandsons (the Chhote Sahibzade), she gave her life on December 26, 1704 upon hearing of their martyrdom.
- Shaheedi Jor Mela (Saka Sirhind) — December 26, 2026
Three-day annual gathering at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib (Dec 26–28) commemorating the martyrdom of all four Sahibzade and Mata Gujri Ji at Sirhind in 1704. Lakhs of pilgrims attend kirtan darbars, nagar kirtan, and langar.
- Guru Gobind Singh Ji Gurgaddi Divas — December 12, 2026
Gurgaddi Divas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji — the day after his father Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji's martyrdom, the 9-year-old Gobind Rai assumed Guruship as the tenth Sikh Guru on Maghar 11, 1675.
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji Joti Jot Divas — October 5, 2026
Joti Jot Divas — the day Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, merged back into the Divine Light at Kartarpur on September 22, 1539 (Assu 8, Nanakshahi). He passed Guruship to Bhai Lehna (Guru Angad Dev Ji).
- Guru Gobind Singh Ji Joti Jot Divas — November 14, 2026
Joti Jot Divas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji — the day at Hazur Sahib, Nanded, on October 7, 1708 (Katik 7, Nanakshahi) when the tenth Guru passed and bestowed eternal Guruship upon Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
- Guru Jambheshwar Jayanti (Jambhoji Janma) — September 4, 2026
Guru Jambheshwar Jayanti — the birth anniversary of Jambhoji Maharaj (1451 CE, Pipasar village, Nagaur), founder of the Bishnoi panth. Observed on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami (the same tithi as Krishna Janmashtami, of which Jambhoji is regarded as an avatar in Bishnoi tradition). The most important Bishnoi observance of the year, with grand celebrations at Mukam (Bikaner — his samadhi), Pipasar (his birthplace), and at every Bishnoi village across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.