Birthday of Guru Gobind Sinha (05/01)

On January 5, Sikh communities in India celebrate the birthday of the tenth and last Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti.

It is officially believed that Guru Gobind Sinh was born in 1666 in the city of Patna, located in the northern part of India on the Ganges River. He became the tenth Guru in November 1675 at the age of 9, after his father Guru Tegh Bahadur. The 10th Guru left this world in 1708.

Interestingly, Guru Gobind Sinha's birthday, depending on the calendar system, is celebrated on different days. Thus, followers of the Bikrami Calendar system celebrate the Guru's birthday in January, December or November. It can sometimes be celebrated twice a year.

And according to the tropical solar calendar Nanakshahi Calendar, Guru Gobind Sinha's birthday is celebrated annually on January 5th.

On this day, large processions are held and special prayers are said in all Sikh temples — gurudwaras.

Guru Gobind Sinh was a poet and philosopher. The 10th Guru is also known for creating the militarized Sikh community «halsa», joining which required certain strict obligations. He also introduced special rules of clothing and behavior.

Gobind Sinh summarized all the works of the Sikhs into the main book of Guru Granth Sahib.

According to Gobind, an Orthodox Sikh must have the following five differences: — «kesh» (uncut hair), — «kachchh» (special melts), — «kara» (steel wrist bracelet), — «kirpan» (dagger), — «kangha» (comb), and also a true Sikh must wear a turban.

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