PM Modi Greets People on 353rd Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

Sikhs around the world shall celebrate the 353rd birth anniversary of their tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji today. The Sikh Guru was born on the Saptami Tithi during Shukla Paksha in the month of Poh (Paush) according to the Nanakshahi calendar. The day in the Gregorian calendar may vary every year, but the celebrations take place as per the traditional Sikh schedule.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji was born in Patna. He was the son of the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur and was chosen as the tenth Guru when he was barely nine years old. Subsequently, Guru Gobind Singh, established the Khalsa, at the Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib near Anandpur, in the Indian state of Punjab. This is the place where he spent most of his life with his father.  Sikhs gather at this place annually to celebrate the Hola Mohalla on the day of Holi.

The tenth Guru is hailed for his contributions to the Sikh faith. He composed the Dasam Granth. He is the one who consecrated the Guru Granth Sahib as the fundamental scripture of the Sikh religion. The Guru added his knowledge to the holy book at the Damdama Sahib Situated near Bhatinda in Punjab. 

And last but not least, the five features of the Sikh faith or the Panj Kakar, are attributed to Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He asked the Khalsa always to wear these - Kesh (uncut hair), Kanga (comb), Kada (iron bracelet), Kaccha (undergarment) and Kirpan ( a small sword).

The Takht Sri Hazur Sahib, a pilgrimage site, situated in the city of Nanded in Maharashtra was built in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. It is significant because this is the place where the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh Ji spent most of his life. The Guru breathed his last at this site. This is also the place where Guru Gobind Singh asked his followers to consider and honour the Guru Granth Sahib as the eleventh Guru.